One of HealthCarePlus’ Grants for Good recipients, Leesa Lawgate, tells us how the funding she received for her studies is transforming the way she supports young people to find their career path.
Leesa Lawgate has always wanted to work with young people. After growing up in Dunedin, Leesa trained as a physical education teacher and then spent six years working in various schools across the country. She knew she was ready for a change – but not a complete one.
“I still wanted to work with young people, but in a more individualised way,” she says. The turning point came when she booked an online appointment with a careers advisor for herself with Careers NZ. “I found the whole process inspiring. Not long after, a careers advisor role opened up at my school, and so I put my hand up and got the job.”
Now based at a Christchurch high school, Leesa supports ākonga to explore their own future pathways. Leesa describes the work as a privilege, made richer by colleagues who share her commitment to helping young people discover their strengths and interests, too.
To sharpen her practice, she is now studying towards a Graduate Certificate in Career Development (Level 7) at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT), where one of her current papers focuses on coaching approaches.
“I’m really enjoying the learning, and I can already see how it’s strengthening my practice and benefitting the rangatahi I work with.” Instead of “What do you want to be?” she now asks something closer to “Who are you as a person? What do you like and what do you not like, and what does that correlate to in the workplace?”
The HealthCarePlus Grant for Good has been incredibly helpful for Leesa in funding two papers at NMIT, while raising a young child and living on one income. Her message to anyone thinking of applying is:
“Your mahi is worth investing in. Opportunities like this can help you grow your skills and make a meaningful difference in your work.”
Leesa hopes to continue honing her skills as a more effective careers advisor, and to share her learnings with colleagues. Above all, she wants the rangatahi who come to her to walk away feeling “more confident, empowered and supported in making decisions about their futures”.
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