[H & Rick]

We were just wondering what everyone does for a living...what’s your occupation?

Did you do something entirely different before you made the move to New Zealand?

If you have not made the move yet what job are you hoping to find when you get to New Zealand?

[dawn]

I'm a Software QA Manager and I shall be doing exactly the same thing in NZ (start on 21st August), maybe I should change and open a cake shop ......

[H & Rick]

What does a Software QA Manager do?

[dawn]

I manage a team of software testers (making sure the software works before it's shipped, usually websites), but in truth, I don't actually DO much!

[katiejay]

I'm a 'relationship manager' for an employee benefits consultancy. It means I have to keep the customer happy, basically (the customer being HR managers mainly). I will do nothing at all initially, when we get to NZ, until the children are settled into their new schools. After that, I hope to train to do something worthwhile for my new country - I'm really interested in language and linguistics, so my dream would be to do a degree in speech therapy and help people overcome difficulties with speech. If I'm not too old, of course!! (I'll be nearly 44 when we get there!!)

[knx501]

Hi Dawn,
How is the job opportunity for QA? I have 9 year of experience as QA and I planning to move in NZ by the end of this year or early next year.

When you have a chance if possible if you can give some ideas how is the job market of QA in NZ and additional information like salary and qualification that are looking for that will be great.

Thank you in advanced.

[Carol]

I'm a primary school teacher.
Did it in England before we came - it is similar in some ways and very different in others here.

I have learned more while teaching here (as far as Professional Development is concerned) than I ever did in the UK.
That said - it is simply down to the school and the leadership.
www.pauatahanui.school.nz
The first school I worked in in NZ had a very different style of management and the only thing I learned was that I needed to get out of it as quickly as possible!
Carol

[Cardy]

:) Hi i was a production manager for a diamond tool making company in th uk.here i am a production manager for a printing company but i only have 5 staff here it was 40 in uk its a bit different and in a way harder. Bev my wife worked at the local deaf college as an administrator and can sign but she hasnt looked for a job here yet(lucky girl). I have been offered a variety of different positions mostly not to do with production i think if you want to you will be able to do something completely different . i know one guy who was a printer in the uk and is now a policeman in palmerton north!! Cheers Cardy

[Angie and Mick]

Hi
I am a social worker, at the moment working in the Looked after children team, however worked for 13 years in residential offering respite to families for children with learning difficulties, autistic. Prior to completing my DIPSW I did some years also in staff development as a project worker for NVQ's a assessor and IV for NVQ's in care.

Once in NZ will probably do a similar job as doing now, however I will see how it goes, some aspects of the job I do not like. (If Mick could get a good Job I would like to be a full time mum, or at least work part time.) :D

Mick has worked in manufacturing mainly in food and drink industry, he has worked up from shop floor. Now a route planner, but he has also been a planner in other aspects within manufacturing.

No sure what we will when we arrive as yet, depends on timescales. Would like to buy a camper and travel around a little first, all depends on jobs I surpose.

[Moorf]

I was a marketing consultant before coming here and we ran our own business in UK - here I am studying Journalism and Feature Writing with the London School of Journalism (distance learning) and am slowly building up a portfolio (just had interest from a major UK publication :nice1 ). I could (and nearly did) walk into a well paid marketing job in Chch but I'd decided to try something new and I'm sticking with that for now...but then our move was more of a life-change than a sidestep, we'd have gone to Wellington if we'd have wanted to further our careers and earn lots of money. We're aiming towards working for ourselves again...

Woz ran a software development co. in the UK whilst contracting for a big London firm of lawyers - here he is working as part of a small dev team - back at the coalface and loving it.

[wanderingoregonian]

I'm a speech therapist. katiejay, you're welcome to pm me if you want info on the field. I specialize in working with children who are unable to speak or whose speech is not currently their primary means of communicating. I really really want to keep doing this in NZ and I'm hoping that it being on the shortage list means that finding work will be fairly straightforward.

My husband designs robots and go his degree in haptics. He plans to take up to a year in NZ to figure out what he wants to do next, from starting a business to fixing up a house.

[Avalon]

Im a "Lady wot lunches" at present. Im trained to be a/ A Pharmacist and b/ An Aromatherapist. The idea is that I will do Aromatherapy from home (and now Hot Stone therapy) becasue I really enjoy it, but I dont need to do it. My "Job" at the moment is keeping the house together, sorting out finances, doing pool maintance, log chopping, cheif cook and bottle washer and generally getting "Stuff" done so that Weekends are free for enjoyment.

Hubby earns the money - he works in IT Security. Hmmm.

[meely&paul]

hi l was a mental health nurse in the uk,lm now a lab technician it pays more!
pauls an engineer,same job and company as uk.
l also make wedding cakes,and lm a trained reflexologist so lm kept rather busy. :)

meely

[Nienke]

Up until 6 weeks ago I was an IT support coordinator of an IT department at a University in Holland.
Now I've joined ranks with Avalon, but maybe a Reiki practice in future!

[Moorf]

We could have an ENZ spa with all the above skils :D

[mossum]

Hi All

I have a rather mundane & boring job - although it is rather bizarely on the skills shortage list (but no qualification needed ??? ) I'm a dental nurse - ranging from general practice - to maxillo facial stuff -my personal fave !!! ok ok I have blood lust lol :laugh .I am also an NVQ assessor - but dont do it as i HATE it :D Salarys for DN's are improving in this area - especially for qualified & very experienced old birds like me ......

DH is a cabinet maker - & hopes to do a little from home - a set of drawers here & there - thinks we should do ok as furniture seems a terrible price back in NZ . He used to do fitted bedrooms here - but at the moment he fits caravans for lunar - he despises it !!!

Long term - we want to do something home based - B & B perhaps - I know theres loads of them - I'm quite a greenie & want to be as self sufficient as possible - so we are looking for some good / inexpensive land in north canterbury . Our plan is to buy the land now - live at mums & save save save !!!!

vic x

[KD17]

wanderingoregonian: My husband designs robots
Wow - how fantastic is that :)

Keith spent 22 years in the RAF and is also a qualified hairdresser, therapist practising massage, aromatherapy, reflex etc., but specialises more in sports/remedial massage. He's done absolutely loads and I'm dead jealous :laugh

Me, I've spent the last 10 years in finance/IT data analysis, but for the past year or so have qualified as a Reiki practitioner, also do crystal therapy, EFT (emotional freedom techniques) which is totally fantastic and the "hopi" (auricular) ear candles. Its the best thing I've done so far and is totally changing my life for the better.

We are hoping at some point that we will have our own business where Keith will do the practical size of therapies and I do the mystical side, and ideally would like a property with an annex which we could turn into a therapy clinic & work from home

Avalon: I will do Aromatherapy from home (and now Hot Stone therapy)
I had the hot stone therapy a little while ago - that was heaven, totally loved it.

Sounds like we'll have to do some treatment swaps...


Keith & Debby

[Moorf]

"hopi" (auricular) ear candles

Oh I had the ear candles when we lived in Sumner, very soothing - a Dutch lady there has a Reiki/massage/therapies place - she's great, worth a visit if you fancy a pick-up, she's also a brilliant reflexologist. I'm terrible for seeking out places like that....

I had the hot stones done in Scotland, I have to say I don't think I had the best of practioners as she clanked around with her bag of stones and the ones being heated were seeeeringly hot, perhaps I'll give it another go....

Hmm reminds me - that pamper afternoon I was having last week that had to be cancelled is 10am Monday morning... assuming it doesn't snow :wah

[Avalon]

I had the hot stones done in Scotland, I have to say I don't think I had the best of practioners as she clanked around with her bag of stones and the ones being heated were seeeeringly hot, perhaps I'll give it another go....


Hmm - shouldnt be - but they often can be. Thats a bit naughty. Its not that hard to keep the temp right. And clanking is annoying - Ill let you know if I manage to do a treatment without making too much noise :o

Mind you - im probably never going to do a striaht "Stone Massage", Im going to be using the stones in Aromatherapy massage. Cant wait till the stones get here - currently on the way from the US.

Wow - are we a tree-hugging bunch-o-hippys or what? :D

[gil]

I'm a coach/facilitator/trainer and will be looking to stay in this field in NZ. I am also an accredited practitioner in Insights personality profiles (based on Jungian psych and similar to -but better than IMHO- Myers-Briggs or DISC, Thomas International, for those who've had this through their work).
OH is a chartered surveyor who now prefers finance/IT operations.
Gil

[willsken]

I'm a teacher of IT in secondary school and I am hoping to get a teaching job in NZ. Don't mind as long as the job is in the IT field though.

Ian is a firefighter in the UK and he renovates houses in his spare time. He will be a carpenter in NZ.

[Smiler]

I was a coroner's officer in the UK and miss it terribly lately.

I'm now an IT Sales Director co running our own IT information security awareness business here in NZ.

OH is currently setting up IT information security awareness for one of the major banks here.

[Nienke]

Wow - are we a tree-hugging bunch-o-hippys or what? :D

Yes, aren't we! :laugh

[Singel]

OH is an embedded software designer and he still do the same here.

I was a recruiter for the past 15 years and now working as an admin staff in a bank.

[Charlosparky]

I am an Electrician, run my own business here but have scaled it down and got rid of my lads now, just ticking over for the next couple of months till we go. I will have to get a proper job on the books there, but have experience as a test & inspection supervisor so may look at specialising in this again, as NZ is way behind in testing and certifiaction i have been told. Also want to stick my fingers into other pies- start a part-time camper van rental business (i built one on a new transit in 2001) sell my wife's jewellrey (the stuff she makes not the contents of her bedside cabinet :laugh ) and generally take it however it comes. We have a brother-in-law in Whangarei Northland and house is on sale so we wanna be there by september <fingers crossed> :nice1

[Jenny & Mark]

I, Mark, am a high school maths teacher and I hope to continue over there. Jenny is orginally from NZ, where she worked in computer sales and web design. Jenny is currently working in web design and as a chiropractic assistant. Jenny would like to continue working in the chiropractic field.

Mark.

[H & Rick]

There seems to be loads of people in IT.

Rich is a Electronic Design Engineer currently working for a company that designs, fixes and calibrates anything electronic He also has a lot of experience in telecommunication systems and IT programming/web design.
He will be looking for the same kind of thing in NZ.

I've been working for a Housing Association for the last 10 years. My work has mainly been financial. Not sure exactly what I will do in NZ yet...will see where my skills take me.

[sizzlingbadger]

OH is Oracle Senior Network Engineer and has been for the past 10 years.

I'm a domestic engineer and full time mum to three :D Used to work as an administrator for the Police and would like to get back into that, real estate or travel work.

[tchelseat]

I'm a music cataloguing librarian. I guess you could say I'm a 'behind-the-scenes' librarian, working to ensure every sound recording and piece of sheet music in our library has a presence in the online catalogue. Basically I create metadata all day.

OH works in the housing dept for the the council but hopes to become a Postie in NZ.

[sarahw]

I am a Conservation Officer for cetacean conservation working for an Environmental NGO. (Used to be an operations manager in Europe for an electronics company but spent last year finishing off my environmental studies degree).

OH is a Quantity Surveyor in Commercial construction.

[Charlosparky]

There seems to be loads of people in IT.

I Wonder if this is because people in the IT trade (and therefore very computer literate and computer confident) are more likely to post on an internet forum than people who only surf the internet for info but are unsure (or unwilling to try the unknown) and read only.???? :uhoh

Me? well i,m gEtTing bettur at thiS evEry dayy! :D

[wanderingoregonian]

What an impressive set of jobs we have listed! I think I fall into the hippie set too... although as a speech therapist, I have to say the the ear candle thing can actually cause problems on occasion and doesn't seem to actually do much to remove wax -- now that is just based on the research in my professional journals, but wanted to throw my 2 cents in, particularly since an ER visit due to burning wax in any sensitive part of the body is bad new ;)


back to an earlier post -


wanderingoregonian: My husband designs robots

Wow - how fantastic is that ..

Yea - I think it is pretty darn cool and I get to go to labs with him tomorrow to see some fancy ones first hand.

[Billy]

Hi folks

I run my own lawn-mowing franchise here in Levin. In the UK, I worked for the MOD for 18 years as a scientist, in ballistics and latterly with the Royal Navy, including the "nuclear deterrent".......

Cheers
Billy

[mossum]

hi billy ,

would you happen to run a jims mowing - dh & I are looking at buying a franchise in this & would like your opinion .

tia

vic x

[Billy]

Hello Vic

I run a Crewcut franchise, I dont know much about the Jims Mowing set-up. If you PM me any queries etc I would be more than happy to give you any guidance or info on franchising, equipment, or anything else.

Cheers
Billy

[Moorf]

I used a Crewcut guy when we lived in Chch, he had more work than he could cope with.

Have seen lots of Jims Mowing and Jims Dog Grooming vans about.

[susanlin]

Hi Moorf

Are you not at the library any more?

[Moorf]

Hi Susan - how're you doing?

No, I left in Jan - shame cos I loved it but it's not worth the 50km trip each way into Chch for part time hours - I was having to go in for 2.5 hours some days and library jobs don't exactly pay well. Luckily I don't need to work, and have plenty to keep me busy out here - mainly shovelling snow these days! :D (snowing as I type...)

[KD17]

have to say the the ear candle thing can actually cause problems on occasion and doesn't seem to actually do much to remove wax -- now that is just based on the research in my professional journals, but wanted to throw my 2 cents in, particularly since an ER visit due to burning wax in any sensitive part of the body is bad new

There are some nightmare stories about ear candling and those who are self taught or do not follow certain rules can cause problems. There are also a plethora of candles on the market and some of those are down right dangerous, so in some ways you are correct. However, the candes are not burned in the ear, they burn away from the ear. There is also a misconception that when the candle is cut open it shows the wax that was removed - this is false as the candles themselves do not remove any wax from the ear, as it is impossible for wax to pass through the eardrum.

They do help enormously with headaches, sinus problems, catarrah etc, one client I had it reduced her asthma. It is not for everyone though and there are certain conditions which cannot be treated. It is not a relaxation treatment, it is more a physical treatement.

Sorry to go on with this, but I just wanted to clear up the misconception.

Debby

[susanlin]

Hi Helen

No wonder I can't find you then! Each time I go to the various libraries in ChCh, I look at the librarians name badge for 'Moorf' so I can introduce myself!
Sounds like you have plenty to keep you busy and have really settled into NZ life. I still have bad moments when I wonder what on earth I am doing here but these are few and far between now ( mind you, had a few this week with the terrible weather - I am longing for central heating!)

Sorry everyone - side tracked from the main thread - by the way, I'm a nurse and hubby is an engineer - we are doing almost the same jobs as UK but I have moved into clinical management as well as 'hands on nurse'. I have spoken before on the forum about my disillusionment with NZ nursing - still feel that to some extent but very happy in my current position.

Sue

[Arclite]

IT Project Manager in UK, guess what, gonna be an IT Project Manager in NZ :wah

Arc :D

[diforsyth]

I'm an IT Manager for Infrastructure & Service Delivery and working in the Finance sector. I was under the impression that I had to take up a similar role in NZ because I applied through Skilled Migration. If this is not correct then I'd love to open up a beach cafe and devote more time to surfing (waves, not the internet ;) ).

[off2nz]

Some of your jobs sound quite exciting - as for hubby and me, well, not quite as exciting.

Hubby was an electrician in the UK and he's still one here!
I was secretary to a Bishop in the UK but I'm a 'Home Executive" here at the moment - just until our daughters (15 and 17) are settled - hasn't happened yet but I guess it's still early days! I will look for something part time when the time's right or the money's needed but not sure what yet!

[smitjo]

Well I'm currently a communications manager but would like to go back into journalism once we get to NZ. My hubby is an IT sales exec, specialising in Citrix - means absolutly NOTHING to me!!

We applied under the skilled migration category - does tht actually mean that we have to stay in the same field - I thought that was just with WTR visas??

[Avalon]

I'm an IT Manager for Infrastructure & Service Delivery and working in the Finance sector. I was under the impression that I had to take up a similar role in NZ because I applied through Skilled Migration. If this is not correct then I'd love to open up a beach cafe and devote more time to surfing (waves, not the internet ;) ).
if you have PR - you can do whatever you like :laugh

Its only if you have work visas, (i guess wtr as well) or if you have a PR vIsa with a Section 18a condition, that you do not have the flexibilty. And with 18a - if you have it - it only says you have to do the specified role for 3 months. After that - you can hit the beach :clap

[Cindy]

I'm a mom to a two year old and my husband is an audio engineer. On top of everything else, w :o e both own and manage a laundromat/drycleaning business.

[High]

Hi Everybody

OH works in IT helpdesk, and would like to continue in NZ. I'm an English Tutor - really ironic, as I have to prove my English literacy for the ITA! :laugh

[Laurie]

Husband and I own/operate a small vineyard. Husband qualified as winemaker and vineyard manager. It is up so sale now so if anyone is looking to come to Quebec....got a good deal for you!!!
I am hoping that he can get a job in New Zealand in that field so we can get PR under his qualifications.
I work in IT but would love to go back to school in Artisan Baking.