Planning a move to New Zeland ( Wellington )

Hi Folks !

I am planning to move to Wellington, New Zealand in March of next year. I am planning on going on a Student's visa for a Level 7 Course ( Graduate Diploma ) in Information Assurance and Security. Its a 7 months course after which I have about a year and a half to search for a job.

My Background in brief : Started out with a contact center. Worked for about a year supporting HP Customers ( Personal Laptops ). Then moved on to work as a Desktop Administrator in a Logistics Company ( Working in Multiple sites. Managing their small infrastructure but in entirety by the time I left them.). I did this for about 18 months. Then started with a Training Services Provider ( Firing up labs and making them when required for Linux and Windows Server Classes ). This also for a year.

Now I am working for a Large Financial Institution as a Blue Print Engineer ( Windows / Linux ) - Making high level designs for Business Requirements for SAN / NAS / Tech Refresh / OS Upgrades / Application Installs etc.

I want to definitely move to the Information Security Side. I have multiple certs MCSA - Windows Server 2012 , MCSE - Server Infrastructure , RHCE - Redhat Certified Engineer , RHCVA - Redhat Certified Virtualization Administrator , RHCSS - Redhat Certified Security Specialist, GCIH - GIAC Certified Incident Handler , ITIL - Foundations. Working on my GSEC - GIAC Certified Security Essentials and GCFE - GIAC Certified Forensics Examiner. Will also try to complete GCIA - GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst by the time I leave.

I would like to know what I should be looking for in New Zealand ( Maybe people who are from around the area and stuff. ). Job Wise , Career Wise. Anything I should be improving on or maybe learning etc !

Thanks

Chanakya

P.S Weltec Is the Uni by the way. Reviews on the Uni also will be helpful !

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Comments

sratakhin

I also had similar plans a few years ago but was reluctant to take a leap of faith. As far as I know, hiring is a very-very long process in New Zealand and you'd better finish your classes by December when the peak activity starts. You know, their summer is actually when most people call it winter.
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chanakyajupudi

My classes finish by November.

Thank you for your reply !

I have registered on Seek but have not gotten any replies. I understand that they want people who are actually there and not from half way around the world !

Cheers !

GAngel

Security is big in Wellington as most of the government depts are located there. It's a rocking spot for the 20-30 something professional. As good as Auckland anyway. Housing depending on where you move from is not well insulated or built I found so expect to feel cold when it's 10 degrees in winter

. The rain blows sideways in welly literally and the ground is constantly moving but its a great spot to get a way from it all. My prediction you'll end up moving to Aus within 2 years from graduation to further your career or married and about to have your first baby which is the only thing keeping you in the country and you winge about it every day at work. Kiwi girls are a good time if you've got a foreign accent so enjoy.

You won't get a tech job in NZ without being on shore all interviewing and networking is very informal.

chanakyajupudi

GAngel : Thank you for your reply. Helpful. I will keep the accent in Mind ! Thank you very much !

I am in the 20-30 Tech Professional range. Hope that helps me !

Cheers ! Did you stay there for a while ?

sratakhin

chanakyajupudi wrote: »

My classes finish by November.

Thank you for your reply !

I have registered on Seek but have not gotten any replies. I understand that they want people who are actually there and not from half way around the world !

Cheers !

A friend of mine started applying to jobs last year and hadn't received any responses for a few months. He is still getting emails that ask him to come for an interview

chanakyajupudi

Okay ! Is he in New Zealand or is he applying from another country ?

sratakhin

He was in NZ on a student visa.

Essendon

Yep, I'm sure you'll have a great time in NZ. Apart from the constant ground tremors, NZ really fits the phrase of 'paradise on earth'. It's a great country to be in.

With all the certs and experience you have, I dont think you'll have too much of an issue finding work. The only problem you may face is that of permanent residency. At least in Australia, 90% of all jobs will require the candidate to be a resident/citizen. I'm not sure how the process works in Kiwiland, how will you go about converting your student visa to a work visa? Will the employer sponsor you or something? Do some research beforehand so there are no surprises.

Lastly, why New Zealand and not Australia? Just curious I guess! Good luck mate!