Erick Alvarez

Erick is studying a Bachelor of Applied Management while working part-time in the retail sector in Rotorua. He chose Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology for his studies because the Mokoia campus in Rotorua is conveniently close to where he lives and works.

“It means the rest of my life stays the same while I pursue my goals of gaining a business qualification. I haven’t had to move to another city and search for a new job. It was as simple as selecting the right course for me, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life,” Erick says.

Two and a half years into his retail career, Erick realised it was crucial that he master leadership skills to effectively inspire and motivate those around him. 

“Leadership is almost like a form of art and science at once. I decided to study a Bachelor in Applied Management because it offers leadership skills and business insights in one package,” Erick says.

“People often think of business roles as numbers-based, but businesses need a lot of things – they need good leaders, people who can manage change or audit them. Everything is controlled and there are a lot of systems and functions that need to operate coherently to make it work.

“In retail, I was also seeing a lot of opportunities for things that could be improved. So now understanding those opportunities or issues from an academic perspective is advantageous,” he says.

In addition to the convenience of studying close to home, Erick appreciates the small class sizes on offer at Toi Ohomai, and says the practical learning environment also suits his preferred learning style. 

“The class sizes mean there’s ample support from your tutors. They’re available to help you, which might not happen as much in a University-environment where they’re looking after 300 or more students. Studying at Toi Ohomai is fun as well… it’s not just stress and caffeine. I absolutely love it here.”

Erick is set to graduate next year, and his qualification will open the door to many more career opportunities. His advice to anyone looking to upskill to create new and exciting career paths for themselves is to just start now. 

“Studying a Bachelor of Applied Management is giving me the tools I need to set myself up for a successful future. I want to become a business leader, or work in local government in my beautiful city of Rotorua. To anyone looking to change careers, or gain a formal qualification, my advice is to just go for it. The best time to put yourself on the path to a successful career is now,” he says.