Anita Mani secures role at Microsoft [1]
Monday, April 15, 2019 - 11:46
A 21-year-old University of Auckland graduate, Anita Mani, of Tongan and Fiji Indian descent has secured a role with one of the world’s largest technology companies, Microsoft, in Auckland.
She was raised in West Auckland by her Fiji Indian father and her late Tongan mother, Fokikovi Fotofili Ilaiū from Mu'a, Tatakamotonga in Tongatapu.
The Microsoft opportunity was previously unimaginable for Anita, who experienced challenges during her years of tertiary study. She repeated an accounting paper over one summer break and this led her to reflect on her priorities.
“I knew that my work ethic had to change for me to do better in my studies. Resilience and time management really were the key to help me overcome this hurdle,“ she said.
The University of Auckland stated that she went on to expand her course from a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) to a conjoint BCom and Bachelor of Arts, majoring in sociology.
“The links between management and sociology are invaluable and have given me a more holistic perspective.”
“I want a career that not only involves my passion for business, but also my love of helping people. This is why I intend to pursue a job in human resources,” she said.
Anita also studied business while at Waitakere College. Last year, she was a mentee selected for the Women’s Mentoring Programme run at the Business School, which matches a mentee with a mentor for the year.
She was paired with a people and performance manager, Vikki Spencer, at Higgins Construction and benefitted from the programme.
She said the monthly events that address a trending topic in the workplace really opened her eyes to what she could expect once in full time employment.
“Having a mentor and being able to have one on one interactions really helped me gain insight into the world of human resources and seek advice, particularly in times of uncertainty.”
"It was amazing and inspiring hearing about Vikki’s career journey as well," she said.
Anita is a member of the club Commerce o’ Pasifika at the business school. She is also an alumni of TupuToa, an organisation that assists Maori and Pacific students to create pathways into careers in the corporate and professional sectors.
Her advice to people who have just begun their journey is “Persevere but be fluid. Apply and try it out.”
Anita starts her new role at Microsoft this week.