Career resources for science students

Where have New Zealand science graduates found work?

The national Graduate Destinations Survey collects this information and publishes the results published by subject:

• Agriculture and horticulture
• Anatomy and physiology
• Animal science
   
• Biochemistry and biomedical
• Biological sciences
   
• Chemistry
• Computer science
   
• Decision sciences
   
• Earth sciences
   
• Food science and technology
• Forensic science
• Forestry science
   
• Geography
   
• Marine science
• Mathematics and operations research
• Medical laboratory science
  
• Microbiology and immunology
• Mining and minerals
• Molecular biology and genetics
   
• Nutrition
   
• Physics
• Plant science
• Psychology
   
• Resource and environmental studies
   
• Science (non-specific)
• Sports and recreation studies
• Statistics
   
• Veterinary science
   
• Zoology

For a full list, see the Graduate Destinations Survey.

All science subjects

• Careers New Zealand
  On this site you will find information on the science sector in New Zealand. You can also read many profiles of science-related occupations, including job outlook, salary information and career stories. Occupations include research chemist, science technician, forensic scientist, food scientist, biochemist, biotechnologist, ecologist, zoologist.
• NewScientist Jobs
  You can search for jobs by regions and/or by science subject.
• naturejobs.com
  Science jobs in the US, UK and elsewhere.
• New Zealand Crown Research Institutes
  A list of New Zealand CRIs.
• SPARC - Sport & Recreation New Zealand
  Sports and recreation vacancies
• Operational Research Society of New Zealand
  Includes a list of member organisations.
• futureintech
  New Zealand site looking at careers in technology, science and engineering.
• MoRST (Ministry of Research, Science and Technology)
  The careers section includes job vacancy section and job profiles.
• Global Focus Aotearoa
  Links to NGOs working in New Zealand and throughout the Pacific.
• Victoria University of Wellington Career View publications

Biotechnology

• The NZ Institute of Food Science and Technology (NZIFT)
  This site has an employment opportunities section.
• NZ Bio

Chemistry

• International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ)
  Alphabetical list of laboratory registrations. The national authority for the accreditation of testing laboratories, radiology services, and inspection services.
• NZ Institute of Chemistry
• Heavy Engineering Research Association
• Institution of Professional Engineers NZ

Environmental

• Environmental Education Directory NZ
  Information on environmental education resources.
• Environmental Defence Society
  Information on landscape protection, ecosystem protection (biodiversity) and climate change including links to appropriate organisations.
• Converge
  This website lists a number of New Zealand Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
• GreenPages
  A directory of non-profit organisations active in the areas of conservation and environmental protection, education, and restoration in New Zealand.
• New Zealand Trust for Conservation Volunteers
  Information on a variety of conservation projects.

Information Technology

• The New Zealand Computer Society Inc
  The "Find a consultant" section allows you to search for member companies by area of expertise.

Mathematics

• The Australian Mathematical Society
  This website has a careers, employment and job opportunities section.

Optoelectronics

• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
  This website has an extensive careers and employment section.
• Optical Society of America
  This website has a careers service section.
• Australian Optical Society
  This website has an employment opportunities section.

Other

• AusIMM Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
  Careers in the minerals industry.
• Options with your subject
  A series from Prospects UK which looks at careers related to specific subject areas.

The following companies and organsations have attended science careers events or work in an area of science. 

• AgResearch
• Alpha Laboratories
• Auckland Zoo
   
• Baldwins : BaldwinSon & Carey : Intellectual property
• BRANZ : Building Research Association of New Zealand
   
• Cawthron
• Chempro
• Chiasma
   
• Diagnostics Medlab
   
• ESR : Environmental Science and Research Ltd
   
• Fonterra
   
• Genesis Research
• Geoscience Society of New Zealand
   
• Harmonic
   
• Industrial Research Ltd
• Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science Ltd
   
• LabPlus
• Labtests
• Landcare Research
• Life Technologies (TM)
   
• Ministry of Science and Innovation
• MSL : Measurement Standards Laboratory of New Zealand
   
• New Zealand Institute of Chemistry
• New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology Inc
• New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology Inc
• New Zealand Institute of Medical Laboratory Science Inc
• New Zealand Institute of Physics
• New Zealand Medical Laboratory Science Board
• New Zealand Microbiological Society
• New Zealand Recreation Association
• New Zealand Society of Soil Science
• New Zealand Veterinary Association
• New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association
• NIWA : National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research
• NZ Bio : New Zealand's Biotechnology Association
   
• Orica
   
• Pacific Channel Investment and Public Relations
• Pharmacy Council of New Zealand
• Plastics NZ
   
• Qenos (formerly Kemcor Australia)
   
• Royal Society of New Zealand
   
• Sinclair Knight Merz : SKM
• Sustainability Society
   
• Uniservices

There are many websites to monitor regularly for new job postings and a few are mentioned above.  Here are two more resources to help you:

• Auckland CareerHub
  First time users need to register. You will find job and internship opportunities advertised, and  information on what's happening at University Careers Services.
• Job vacancy sources
  This page gives links to other job and recruitment websites.

For graduate career stories, see

• Career role models

Drop-in sessions
You can drop-in for a 10-minute session in the Faculty of Science. No appointment is required.

You can talk to Careers Consultants about:

• Researching a career in science.
• Job applications – CVs, cover letters, psychometric testing and application forms.
• Interview techniques.
• Job searching and networking.

All science students are welcome, regardless of what stage you are at in your degree. The earlier you start planning your career, the better prepared you will be.

For up to date information on hours and location of drop in services, see How can University Careers Services help you.