Please contact us for more details about how we can help you.
Jackie Dean
Manager
Jackie has many years' experience working in schools, colleges and university careers services in the UK and New Zealand. She has also worked within the disability sector. Jackie is a professional member of the Career Development Association of New Zealand ( CDANZ ) and holds postgraduate qualifications in teaching and careers guidance.
Jackie has expertise in a variety of roles. In addition to working in the private and public sectors, she has set up and run three business ventures in the North Island. Jackie can help you with one-to-one guidance and career counselling, and assistance with CVs, cover letters and job search strategies.
Jackie is the Career Development Centre's contact for the Division of Sciences.
Contact Jackie
Tel +64 3 479 8243
Fax +64 3 479 9148
Email jackie.dean@otago.ac.nz
LinkedIn Jackie Dean
Yvonne Gaut
Postgraduate and International Career Adviser
Yvonne is the specialist career adviser for postgraduate and international students and has worked at the University of Otago's Career Development Centre since 2001. Yvonne holds a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) as well as a Master of Career Development and is a professional member of the Career Development Association of New Zealand ( CDANZ ).
Yvonne is passionate about supporting future, current and graduated students in career decision making. She is skilled in career coaching and career counselling and seeks to inspire the students she works with to be confident, open-minded and active in their career planning. Talk to Yvonne about a job search strategy, feedback for application documents CV and cover letters, interview skills, tests and assessments advice. She also runs workshops focusing on interview practice and professional career management skills.
Yvonne is the Career Development Centre's contact for the Division of Health Sciences.
Contact Yvonne
Tel +64 3 479 9149
Fax +64 3 479 9148
Email yvonne.gaut@otago.ac.nz
LinkedIn Yvonne Gaut
Petra Hass
Career Adviser
Petra is a professional member of the Career Development Association of New Zealand ( CDANZ ), holds a Bachelor of Social Services majoring in Career Practice and is an experienced vocational trainer. Petra worked in the publishing industry in Germany and has held various roles within the New Zealand social services sector, including the Ministry of Social Development and several disability support services within the Otago region.
Petra offers expert career support to students, intending students and graduates. She can help you with one-to-one career advice and guidance (in English and German). Petra assists with career planning, building your CV and cover letter, can help with interview preparation and developing your job search strategy. She also runs workshops to strengthen your interpersonal, communication and networking skills.
Petra is the Career Development Centre's contact for the Division of Humanities.
Contact Petra
Tel +64 3 479 5354
Fax +64 3 479 9148
Email petra.hass@otago.ac.nz
LinkedIn Petra Hass
Penny Kershaw
Career Advisor
Contact Penny
Email penny.kershaw@otago.ac.nz
Mel Searle
Career Adviser
Mel is a professional member of the Career Development Association of New Zealand ( CDANZ ).
Mel holds a Graduate Diploma in Social Services (Career Practice), a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning, and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology).
Mel provides career support to prospective and current students, and graduates. She is an experienced high school teacher who is passionate about supporting students to work towards a fulfilling career. Mel can help you with your career planning and decision making, your CV and cover letter, job search strategies and interview preparation. She also runs workshops on preparing for job interviews.
Mel is the Career Development Centre's contact for the Business School.
Contact Mel
Tel +64 3 479 8244
Email mel.searle@otago.ac.nz
LinkedIn Mel Searle
Lynley Soper
Career Adviser
Lynley has graduate qualifications in Marketing and Career Development, a Diploma in Professional Coaching, and is a Member of the Career Development Association of New Zealand ( CDANZ ). She has a background in the social services sector, and in private careers practice, specialising in career coaching and working with teenagers and young adults making early career plans and decisions.
Lynley provides career support for prospective and current students. She can help you with individual career guidance, your CV & cover letter, interview skills and strategies for finding work.
Lynley is a Career Development Centre contact for the Division of Sciences.
Contact Lynley
Tel +64 3 479 9149
Fax +64 3 479 9148
Email lynley.soper@otago.ac.nz
LinkedIn Lynley Soper
Gina Clouston-Cain
Graduate Recruitment Co-ordinator
Gina holds a BCom in Marketing Management (Otago) and has worked across a variety of sectors, ranging from corporate, civic and not-for-profit organisations to higher education. Gina is passionate about connecting with people and making magic happen. She loves working with organisations who are interested in connecting with Otago students, and her role is responsible for all things graduate recruitment.
Gina facilitates and develops external links with industry to ensure that there are ample opportunities for University of Otago students and graduates. She also manages and organises on-campus employer graduate recruitment activities, including employer presentations and our career expos.
Contact Gina
Tel +64 3 479 8372
Mob +64 21 279 8372
Email graduate.recruitment@otago.ac.nz
LinkedIn Gina Clouston-Cain
Patrick Mazzocco
Programmes Co-ordinator (Internships Programme and Alumni-Student Mentoring Programme)
Patrick specialises in running our alumni-student mentoring programme Otago Mentor Match, is working with our Career Registration information, and involved with re-establishing internships overseas.
Contact Patrick
Email patrick.mazzocco@otago.ac.nz
Sarah Millburn
Programmes Co-ordinator (Graduate Recruitment)
Sarah's varied role as the Programmes Co-ordinator for Graduate Recruitment and External Engagement incorporates an enjoyable mix of student and employer engagement and programme management.
She works closely with the Graduate Recruitment Co-ordinator to facilitate career expos and employer presentations for students and contributes to the Otago Connect and OtagoExtra programmes. In addition, she curates and expands career support and workshops for a range of student groups including international students.
Sarah holds a Graduate Diploma in Career Guidance from NMIT, a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology and has built extensive experience working in tertiary career service centres in New Zealand, Canada and the United States. Sarah has a passion for job search best practices and loves helping students to strategically navigate transitions to achieve their goals. She is always happy to have a chat about our services and offer guidance on where to begin.
Contact Sarah
Tel +64 3 479 8372
Email sarah.millburn@otago.ac.nz
LinkedIn Sarah Millburn
Karen Stephenson
Career Support Officer
Our friendly career support officer, Karen, provides administrative support for the Career Development Centre and as a first point of contact can assist you with general enquiries and appointment bookings.
Contact
Tel +64 3 479 8244 ext. 8244
Fax +64 3 479 9148
Email careers@otago.ac.nz