Careers

Auckland is the home of New Zealand's creative industries. When the Auckland Council (then Auckland City) produced its Blueprint action plan in 2007, the region had 51% of New Zealand's creative employment compared to 34% of total employment, with 18,730 creative sector employees.¹

The creative industries in Auckland have produced strong economic growth in terms of revenue, employment, exports, city and national branding – and they have been remarkably resilient through the recession.

The city has become a thriving centre for architecture, planning and urban design, fashion design, graphic design, screen production (film, television and digital media), advertising, music, publishing, and a wide variety of performing and visual arts. As a result, Auckland is now vying with the capital Wellington for the title of 'cultural centre' of the country.

So when you graduate, you'll be in a great position to find work in your field in Auckland... And from there, to explore the opportunities to showcase your talent and skills elsewhere in the world.
1. Source: Auckland City website

Here’s a quick guide to the career paths that are open to graduates of NICAI’s degree and diploma programmes:

Architects today find themselves working in a rapidly expanding field with constantly shifting boundaries. NICAI’s School of Architecture and Planning offers programmes that reflect these evolving requirements and ensure you are well equipped to begin a rewarding career.

Possibilities: architect, architectural historian, building industry consultant, building technologist, computer-aided design professional, design-based librarian or archivist, heritage architect, interior designer, project manager, urban designer.

Dance careers go beyond performing on stage. Studying dance will equip you with cross-disciplinary transferable skills to create your own pathway or move into specialised work.

Possibilities: dance education, community dance, choreography and performance, dance journalism, dance administration, academic research.

NICAI’s Elam School of Fine Arts is dedicated to educating artists and offers a broad range of art and design activities supported in an interdisciplinary studio environment. This environment provides the perfect atmosphere for creative thinking and new ideas to flourish.

Possibilities: artist, secondary school teacher, photojournalist, creative director in an agency, film director, illustrator, commercial photographer, arts writer, art critic, animator, art curator, art gallery director, set designer.

Music offers a kaleidoscope of career and study opportunities. Whatever your direction, you must have confidence in your own artistic voice and purpose and in your technical and academic abilities.

Possibilities: arranging, composing, conducting, education, entertainment law, music journalism, music therapy, performance, radio/TV and the recording industry.

Professional planners study the social, economic and physical forces influencing our lives. They work closely with individuals and communities in areas such as housing, transportation, education, shopping, work, art and sport to visualise the future, create solutions, and implement strategies.

Possibilities: city, strategic, regional or transportation planner; resource consent planner; property development manager; business development adviser; community development officer; environmental planner; heritage and conservation planner; iwi planning officer; policy analyst; urban designer.

Many NICAI staff members are practising professionals who can help you to plan for the future, whether you are thinking of joining the workforce or considering further study in a postgraduate programme.

You can also drop in to see our Careers Consultant at the NICAI Student Centre between 11am - 1pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays (no appointment required).
Contact the NICAI Student Centre

University Careers Services
Find out more about the extensive career planning services available at the University:
Visit the main University web page Career planning
Contact University Careers Services

Auckland CareerHub
The Auckland CareerHub is a specialised graduate employment database for University of Auckland students with information on employment and internship opportunities, careers events, workshops, and other information.
Visit Auckland CareerHub

Career workshops
Career Services offers a variety of workshops on CVs and cover letters, job hunting, skills, and interviews. There are further occasional workshops and seminars on other topics throughout the year.
Visit Career workshops

Academic careers
A career in academia is professionally rewarding and fulfilling for creative practitioners, balancing personal development with the opportunity to contribute to society through teaching and research.
More information on creative careers in academia