From Vietnam to NMIT and a new career in New Zealand
Duong Doan shares her story of moving to New Zealand from Vietnam, studying the Master of Applied Management and building her career.
"Moving from Vietnam to New Zealand with my family of four was one of the biggest decisions of our lives, and our family has since grown by one more member. Studying at NMIT in Nelson provided us with not only a quality education but also the opportunity to build a new future in New Zealand.
We quickly fell in love with Nelson’s stunning scenery, welcoming community, and relaxed lifestyle. Although we later relocated to Auckland and now live in Hamilton, Nelson will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we often talk about returning there one day.
I graduated with a Master of Applied Management in 2020, where I developed valuable knowledge and skills in management, leadership, research, project management, digital transformation, and logistics and supply chain management.
“One of the most valuable aspects of the programme was the opportunity to gain real industry experience while studying.”
I was keen to apply the knowledge learned in class to a real business environment, so I chose the Work-based Project elective. As part of this course, students were required to connect with an organisation and work on a real project using the skills and knowledge developed throughout the programme.
Through this opportunity, I approached AICA NZ, a phenolic resin manufacturer in Richmond, to explore a project that would benefit both my studies and the company. As part of my Work-based Project, I was offered an apprenticeship-style, part-time Maintenance Assistant role while completing my studies. My project focused on managing Safety Critical Elements (SCEs) across the manufacturing site, where I maintained asset data and ensured maintenance schedules were accurate and up to date to support compliance and operational safety.
“This hands-on experience allowed me to apply the project management skills and knowledge in a real manufacturing environment and gain valuable industry exposure.”
The project was highly rewarding and ultimately led to my first professional employment opportunity in New Zealand after graduation.
Since completing my studies, I have built my career across a range of roles and industries, starting as a Maintenance Assistant before progressing to Business Development Representative and Procurement roles at AICA NZ.
Today I work as an Account Manager at Pact Group. Each step in my career has built on the knowledge, practical skills, and industry experience I gained through NMIT, which have been instrumental in my professional growth and success.
I highly recommend NMIT to international students seeking a supportive learning environment, meaningful industry experience, and a pathway to building a successful career and life in New Zealand. NMIT provided me with the foundation, confidence, and opportunities to achieve both my personal and professional goals, and I will always be grateful for the role it played in my family's journey."
