An appreciating asset

Toni Gee walked out of high school an ambitionless, rebellious 16 year old. No-one could have guessed that a few years later her business knowledge and real-world experience would qualify her for a degree in Applied Management.

“It didn’t take me long to realise that doing nothing was really boring!” She laughs. Having decided to pursue a career as a personal assistant in the business world; her first step was the National Certificate in Business Administration and Computing at Otago Polytechnic, followed by the industry-leading Diploma in Business.

"I like the Polytechnic because you don’t just study books. There’s a great combination of the academic with the applied, practical work and experiences.  I learnt a lot of really good skills that I’ve taken with me through everything, and continue to use on a daily basis. Universities don't do that - they don't show you how to take the things that you learn and use them in reality. The Polytechnic does!”

 Toni’s professional life soon flourished as she worked her way from a Computer Support Officer position into her own computer consultancy business, and then became an Asset Management Technician with a large multinational company. After taking maternity leave, she worked as a consultant immersed in tasks ranging from asset valuation and analysis to group facilitation.

 When it was time for Toni to kick her career into overdrive she found her range of experiences really paid off. She worked with Otago Polytechnic’s Center for Assessment of Prior Learning (CAPL) to assemble a portfolio detailing her business knowledge and real-world experience. After delivering a successful presentation to a panel of experts she was awarded a Bachelor of Applied Management from the School of Applied Business.

 Once a directionless teen but now a hot commodity in the world of business, Toni prepares to pursue bigger and better opportunities in the UK, but her heart remains at home. “I have a goal to move back to NZ, live on the West Coast and manage projects. I’ve discovered that the sky truly is the limit!”