The Careers Department will be hosting a number of Alumni at a Careers pathway evening on Wednesday 30 July 2025 in school from 6:00 – 7:30pm – giving students, parents and families an opportunity to hear (firsthand) from ex-students their career journey post Sancta Maria College, what pathways led them to their career and where they are now in that journey.
Topics covered will include:
- Why did they choose this pathway?
- What do they love about their job?
- What are some of the challenges they have faced?
- What they wish they had known at school
- How easy is it to get a job in their industry?
You may book a maximum of three sessions, aligned with the pathways and career options you are interested in – Please see the details of all guest speakers, below.
Click the following link to book your three sessions https://sancta-maria-college-future-pathways-event-2025.lilregie.com/booking/attendees/new
Medical |
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| Tyler Andrews Emergency Medical Technician & Volunteer team managerI’m Tyler. I left Sancta Maria College in 2017 to pursue a career in paramedicine. I am just about to finish a bachelor’s degree of Health Science in Paramedicine through AUT. Since leaving I have relocated to the Coromandel region (Paeroa specifically), gaining employment in the prehospital environment. I live with my partner Maddee who is in the same career and our two wee cats Halo and Kali – they’re pictured below! Currently I work full time for the emergency ambulance service, with every day varying in intensity both relative to skill and emotion. I work on a 4×4 12-hour roster consisting of both days and nights, which is the standard for those in my profession. I can definitely say no two workdays are the same. Room: BU4 |
Kirsty Lakay Physiotherapist with Physio Rehab GroupI finished at SMC in 2012 and went to university in 2013. After a setback to an already 4-year degree, I graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Health Science majoring in Physiotherapy. I started working for Physio rehab group in 2018 and am currently still employed there. Over the years I have mainly worked in private practice and sports but have also contracted in paediatrics at Kids First child development services. Musculoskeletal physiotherapy is still what I really enjoy, and I have been lucky enough to work and travel with a variety of sports including touch, league, netball, rugby, 7’s and softball. Currently I am one of the physio’s for the Stars who play in the ANZ Netball Premiership and once our season is done, I will then move into some work with Auckland Rugby for the NPC/ FPC season. Room: AM4 |
Brianna Kelly Nurse with Kidz First Middlemore HospitalI went to Sancta Maria College for 7 years and graduated in 2019. I studied a Bachelor of Nursing at Manukau Institute of Technology and graduated in 2023. I started nursing at Kidz First surgical in May 2024 with a 6 month break in between. During my study I worked as a health care assistant across the entire hospital. I have just graduated from AUT with a Postgraduate Certificate specialising in Child Health. I have been working for 2 years at the Kidz First surgical ward at Middlemore. We specialise in plastic surgery e.g. cleft lips, ear reconstruction, dog bites, specialist hand injuries/ breaks and facial/ dental injuries. We are also the national burns unit. We look after large life-threatening burns from all over NZ and some Pacific Islands. This job involves being floated to the paediatric medical wards, emergency department and the neonatal ICU. In my free time I enjoy working out at F45 and training for hyrox comps and planning overseas travel. Room: AU1 |
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Kia ora, I’m Gabrielle and I completed my Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) at the University of Auckland in 2021. I am now a fourth year junior doctor working as a medical registrar within the Auckland region. Room: AM1 & 2 |
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Forces |
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Hi my name is Anissa. I left Sancta Maria College in 2016 and went on to study a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Psychology. I worked in youth/group homes and alongside Police in the family harm space as a child advocate for a couple of years. I always wanted to join the Police and finally made the decision to join. I went to college in May of 2022 and graduated 4 months later. Since then, I’ve been based in Counties Manukau in both frontline and community Policing roles.
Room: AU4 |
LCSS Sakisi, attended Manurewa High School in Auckland from 2007 to 2012. With a call to service, LCSS Sakisi enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Navy on September 11, 2013, and completed his Basic Branch Training by early 2014. LCSS Sakisi athletic achievements are impressive aspects of his military career; LCSS Sakisi captained the Royal New Zealand Navy Rugby League team for six years and played for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Rugby League team. He is an active member of his community, specifically within the Pacific Community, and a dedicated member of Life Church. LCSS Sakisi has an extensive service record. He has served on multiple New Zealand naval vessels, including HMNZS Te Kaha, Hawea, Wellington, and Te Mana. He has participated in various operations and missions such as OP Crucible, Southern Katipo, and OP Calypso, even conducting fisheries operations close to Antarctica. LCSS Sakisi contributions to the Navy, his sportive endeavors, and his community involvement, LCSS Sakisi is a multifaceted individual dedicated to service, athleticism, and family. Room: AU2 |
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Law |
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Soana Moala Her Honour Judge Soana Moala attended McAuley High School before completing a law degree at Auckland University. She was a Crown Prosecutor at Meredith Connell for 10 years prosecuting serious crime in the District Court and High Court. She left the Crown in 2012 to set up a defence firm Moala Merrick Barristers and Solicitors in Manukau. She was appointed a District Court Judge in September 2016. She was the first Tongan female to be appointed a District Court Judge in New Zealand. She has a jury warrant and sits in the District Court and Youth Court.
Room: Staffroom |
Liam Sutherland Tax Solicitor with MinterEllisonRuddWattsLiam Sutherland is a tax solicitor at MinterEllisonRuddWatts, where he has worked for the past two years. After leaving Sancta Maria in 2017, Liam completed a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Auckland and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand (in February 2024). Liam advises clients on a range of complex tax matters, with a focus on corporate transactions and structuring. His recent work includes obtaining a binding determination form Inland Revenue that a $45 million return of capital by Tower Limited was not in lieu of a dividend, advising Z Energy Limited and Ampol Limited on the $70 million sale of the assets of Flick Energy to Meridian and advising a number of large charities and not-for-profits on potential changes to the taxation of charities.Room: Quiet space in Library |
Kelly Mascarenhas I left Sancta Maria College in 2019 and studied a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Global Studies, majoring in Human Rights and Global Politics. I am currently working at Dentons New Zealand, a global law firm. I specialise in Property Law. What I love about my job is the tangible nature of the work, and the ability to contribute to the legal landscape as it pertains to major infrastructure and real estate development in New Zealand.
Room: AM6 |
Digital Media and Communications |
Tourism |
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 Shontelle MatanoMedia Communications Advisor for Moana Pasifika Super Rugby TeamTalofa lava, I’m Shontelle Matano and I left Sancta Maria College in 2019. I studied a Bachelor of Communication Studies, majoring in Journalism at AUT. I had the opportunity to work at TVNZ as an Assignments Producer. Now I’m a Media and Communications Advisor for Super Rugby team, Moana Pasifika.I’m very passionate about what I do. From being able help tell the inspiring stories of our athletes, to being part of some of the best moments in sport and seeing the impact they can have on the community. I’m excited to share more with you and hope to see many of you in the industry soon!
Room: CU3 |
Morgan Williams Since graduating from Sancta Maria College in 2016, I went on to study Television and Screen Broadcasting at Ara institute of Canterbury. My degree took two years to complete and opened the door for me to land an internship where I worked as an assistant editor on the Avatar sequels in Wellington. For over four years I worked closely with James Cameron and the LA crew based in Hollywood. I decided to broaden my experience by working on a variety of local and international TV shows and feature films. In 2025, I decided to diversify my qualifications and am currently completing a year-long teaching diploma. My proximity to Hollywood and media industry giants made for a unique experience and is something I will carry into every future job.
Room: CU2 |
 Sarah WallenTourism Operations Co-Ordinator with Intrepid TravelMy journey into tourism began with a love for geography at school and a curiosity sparked by my own travel experiences. I’d always dreamt of becoming a flight attendant, but when the Covid pandemic hit, like many others, I had to rethink everything. Instead of stepping away from the industry, I leaned in. I took a gap year, worked full-time in hospitality, and used that time to grow, learn, and gain real-world experience. Even though it seemed like the worst time to pursue a travel career, I chose to see it as the perfect opportunity to study and prepare for when the world reopened. I enrolled in a Bachelor of International Tourism Management at AUT and graduated in 2023. It was, without a doubt, one of the best decisions I’ve made. Throughout my studies, I explored different parts of the industry—adventure tourism, accommodation, and destination marketing through part time roles to see what suited me best. That journey led me to a role at Intrepid Travel in Reservations, and just seven months later, I was promoted to Operations Coordinator. It’s been an amazing experience so far, and I’m excited to keep growing and see where this path takes me. Room: BU2 |
Trades |
Science and Engineering |
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Callum McRae Shortly after graduating from Sancta Maria College at the end of 2021, I landed a job with a building company as a hammer hand. This was a great opportunity to gain experience working alongside skilled builders before officially starting my apprenticeship in February of the following year. Just over three years later—after working, studying, and developing my skills in the trade—I completed my apprenticeship in May of this year. I am currently employed as a qualified builder with the same company and am working towards the goal of becoming a self-employed builder.
Room: BU3 |
 Kyla AlanEnvironmental Monitoring Officer with Auckland CouncilSince graduating school in 2017, I completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in Chemistry and Biology at the University of Auckland. During my studies, I interned at Bluebird Foods in Quality Assurance and worked part time at Eurofins Environmental Testing, analysing soil, asbestos and other contaminated materials. I continued at Eurofins full time for two years before moving into my current role at Auckland Council.Since graduating school in 2017, I completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in Chemistry and Biology at the University of Auckland. During my studies, I interned at Bluebird Foods in Quality Assurance and worked part time at Eurofins Environmental Testing, analysing soil, asbestos and other contaminated materials. I continued at Eurofins full time for two years before moving into my current role at Auckland Council. Room: AU6 |
Lara Georgis Project Manager/Electrical & Electronic Engineering with Downer EnergySince graduating from SMC in 2017, I’ve been on an exciting journey in the engineering world. After completing my Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) specialising in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Auckland, I jumped straight into my career at Downer.I started as a Graduate Engineer, progressed to a Design Engineer, and I am now a Project Manager within Downer’s Energy division. My work involves a diverse range of energy projects, both in and out of Auckland, contributing to the essential electricity infrastructure that powers our communities. I look forward to sharing insights from my journey so far, and to show SMC students my perspective on the path from high school to a career in engineering. Can’t wait to meet and chat with you all!
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In addition to our guest speakers, there will be a community event held in our Auditorium hosted by BCITO, promoting the building and construction trades which you are very welcome to attend anytime between 6- 8pm. Click this link for more detail – please register your attendance at this event by clicking this link.
