Sheryl Hewitson has helped many people find their perfect career as the careers advisor at John Paul College and the chairwoman of the Rotorua Careers Expo. PHOTO/ STEPHEN PARKER 140515sp2.JPG
Sheryl Hewitson has helped many people find their perfect career as the careers advisor at John Paul College and the chairwoman of the Rotorua Careers Expo. PHOTO/ STEPHEN PARKER 140515sp2.JPG
This week's Newsmaker is Rotorua Careers Expo chairwoman Sheryl Hewitson. The expo took place at the Energy Events Centre this week.
Tell us about yourself: I am the careers advisor at John Paul College. I have an amazing husband who works overseas and a son and daughter who I am veryproud of.
How did you get into your career? Well happenstance has played a big part in my career and being in the right place at the right time. I started as a reliever at John Paul College for four weeks 18 years ago and never left! I have always worked in communications, in hotels, mining and at the hospital. With the careers expo, because I was a careers advisor they said do you want to be involved with the expo about 15 years ago.
I have been chairwoman of the expo for eight years. With the massive choices young people have, there's a huge selection of things out there to do and how do you go through everything to find out what you need? I have had kids saying it was good going to the expo, saying that they talked to different people and have narrowed their career choices down to two. The expo is also for Rotorua people, and is not just about young, it's about all people because we are life-long learners. The expo has changed over the years, we've expanded it hugely. We brought in the seminars and the Rotorua business hub. Having the big venue of the Energy Events Centre is awesome because it's really easy, and we are not limited by space. We are always looking at trying new ideas and involving community organisations.
What do you love about your job? I have the best job in the world. I interact with whanau, community and business. Careers is always on the cutting edge and innovative.
What have been your biggest achievements? One of my most pleasing achievements is coming into contact with students who are living their dreams and knowing that I had a part to play in this. Especially for students who found school a challenge. I keep in contact with many of them.
What do you love about Rotorua? I love our city - who would not want to live here? The hot pools, the closeness to the lakes and forests and the great cafes. I always go for coffee in the mornings.
Tell us three things about yourself most people wouldn't know: I have a general manager's licence. I worked on an iron ore mine in Western Australia. I sat in the cockpit of a fighter jet.
