When you hire a student, yes, you are giving them a source of income that will help fund their study and their life, but that’s not all. Through work, they earn, build real-world skills, and grow their confidence, driving a more productive and prosperous Aotearoa.
Here at Student Job Search, we know that a single opportunity can change the trajectory of a student’s life.
As University of Canterbury student Katie told us: “Trying to find and then starting a job helped me build confidence in myself and my abilities. It taught me practical skills like time management, teamwork, and staying organised during busy shifts.
“I also gained a better understanding of what it’s like to work in a professional environment, which has helped me see potential career paths I might enjoy in the future. It gave me a sense of independence and the experience of responsibilities I hadn’t handled before.”
Creating more job opportunities for students is not simply a response to current hardship. It builds confidence, independence, professional capability, and connection. It helps students remain engaged in education while opening pathways into long-term employment and economic participation.
This work matters not only for students, but for employers, communities, and the future of Aotearoa.
Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce, innovators, professionals, and leaders. Ensuring they can successfully transition from study into meaningful employment is critical to the long-term social and economic wellbeing of our country.
In the first half of this year, 24,610 vacancies were listed on Student Job Search, attracting 213,688 applications. That is 8.7 applications per vacancy, up from 5.4 in the same period in 2025.
The statistics show students are eager and willing to work; they just need an opportunity.
University of Auckland student Patrick says getting a job helped develop skills he would not have gained from studying alone.
“Through my role, I became more confident working with financial data, handling responsibilities like invoices, reconciliations, and payments. It also helped me improve my time management and communication skills. This experience gave me a clearer idea of how accounting works in a real business environment and confirmed my interest in pursuing a career in accounting,” he says.
Is there is a role in your business or household that could be filled by a student? Whether it's a part-time role, an internship, graduate position, seasonal work, or short-term project, students can make a meaningful contribution while developing the skills and experience employers value.
To list a job, head to www.sjs.co.nz