Careers in the Innovation Ecosystem
Explore unconventional career paths and future-ready roles.
Session 1: Understanding the innovation ecosystem – 24 July, 5-7pm
Session 2: Finding your place – roles beyond the founder – 31 July, 5-7pm
Session 3: What it’s really like to work in innovation – 7 August, 5-7pm
Session 4: Making your move – getting involved and building connections – 14 August, 5-7pm
About the programme
Careers in the Innovation Ecosystem is a four-part series designed to open your eyes to exciting, unexpected career paths you didn’t even know existed. From edgy start-ups and scale-ups to innovation roles in government, corporates, and research labs – this series is your backstage pass to the real world of innovation in Aotearoa.
You’ll explore the reality of working in fast-moving organisations and hear from early-stage career professionals. Discover how the things that make you unique can work for you, and get practical tips on how to build experience, grow your network and stand out. Whether you’re studying science, arts, business, design, law or engineering, if you’re curious about big ideas, creating change, or building a future-proof career, this programme is for you.
No innovation and entrepreneurship experience? No problem! Just bring your curiosity, questions, and appetite for something a little different. Innovation needs all kinds of thinkers. Ready to find your place?
CIE’s programmes are free for University of Auckland students and staff. These co-curricular programmes help develop innovation and entrepreneurship skills alongside formal studies. While there are no formal assessments, participation may count towards the co-curricular recognition programme and the Distinguished Graduate Award.
Your opportunity
Explore the future of work – Discover how innovation is shaping careers in Aotearoa across start-ups, corporates, research, and beyond.
Meet the insiders – Hear straight from key stakeholders, investors and professionals who’ve carved out cool careers in innovation.
Find your fit – Discover roles you’ve never heard of and learn how your background can be an asset in this space.
Get real – Unpack the highs, lows, and realities of working in innovation through honest conversations with early-career professionals.
Learning outcomes
Understand innovation landscape – How innovation works across start-ups, corporates, government, and research in New Zealand and how it drives social and economic change.
Gain career clarity – Discover the wide range of roles in innovation, beyond just founders and techies.
Develop transferable skills awareness – Identify how your degree and skills can be applied in different parts of the innovation world.
Gain career confidence – Get practical tips on how to stand out when applying for innovation-related jobs and build networks with industry professionals.
Timing and commitment
Duration: Four sessions, two hours each
Commitment: Two hours per week per session
Session 1: Understanding the innovation ecosystem – 24 July, 5–7pm
What even is the innovation ecosystem? Learn how start-ups, investors, universities, corporates, government and research organisations all play a part – and where you might fit in.
Guest speakers:
Lari Dkhar, PhD - Senior Investment Analyst, New Zealand Growth Capital Partners
Irene Hao - Investment Manager, Sprout Agritech
Kevin Park - Ex CRO/SVP/VP at Crimson & Hectre
Jason Yang - Director, Deloitte
Session 2: Finding your place – Roles beyond the founder – 31 July, 5–7pm
Not everyone wants to be the boss. Uncover the wide range of roles behind every successful innovation – from product and marketing to operations, finance, and design.
Guest speakers:
Pawan Gonnakuti - Senior Manager - Technology Strategy and Transformation, EY
Dil Khosa - COO / Operations Manager, Dewpoint Innovations
Jony Lee - Head of Growth, The Attention Seeker
Bowen Pan - Advisor & Investor | Ex-Facebook, Stripe, Dropbox
Session 3: What it’s really like to work in innovation – 7 August, 5–7pm
No sugar-coating here. Hear honest reflections from early-career professionals about the highs, lows, and everything in between.
Guest speakers:
Humza Rashad Butt - Intermediate UX Designer, ZEIL
Evgeniia Golovina, PhD - Computational Scientist, Do It Now
Damita Mathew - Investment Analyst, UniServices
Maggie Peacock - Marketing Executive, Icehouse Ventures
Tyler White - Cofounder, Stealth Startup, Ex-Kami
Yeh (Tina) Wan-Ting, PhD - Head of Intelligence Innovation, Neurofrog
Session 4: Making your move – Getting involved and building connections – 14 August, 5–7pm
It’s not just what you know – it’s who you meet, how you show up, and what you do next. Get insider tips on internships, volunteering, networking and more.
Guest speakers:
Amanda Butterworth - Customer Success Manager, Brightly
Patricia Joseph - Learning & Development Specialist - People and Capability, Skills Group
If you have questions about the programme, please contact cie_programmes@auckland.ac.nz