Graduate Jobs in Christchurch overview
Living in Christchurch as a young professional
Christchurch is the largest city of the South Island, with over 374,000 people living in the region. It has strong colonial ties to England, which is highlighted by the city’s layout and street names. The city has a cool climate, however, most locals lead an active lifestyle, with numerous outdoor activities available year round, including anything from skiing to surfing (better have a thick wetsuit). As a whole, the city is quite flat, which makes it perfect for those with no cars, as it’s easy to get around on a bicycle. Like most New Zealand regions, Christchurch folk are right into their rugby union, with the local Crusaders team being a powerhouse and drawing huge crowds and following.
What’s the graduate job market look like in Christchurch?
Whilst graduates are more likely to find jobs in Auckland or Wellington, there are a number of prosperous local businesses and firms who hire New Zealand students. Accounting firms like BDO and Deloitte hire locally, as does WSP and AECOM in the construction sector. Due to the city being situated on the Pacific Plate, there have been numerous earthquakes in previous years. As a result, high-vis wear is apparent across most of the town while construction companies still work to repair the damage. This has resulted in a boom in opportunities for construction and engineering graduates in Christchurch.
The most sought-after graduate employers in Christchurch include:
- Deloitte
- WSP
- BDO
- Downer
- PwC
Christchurch career fairs and employment evenings
The University of Canterbury offers a range of valuable career fairs for students, where local employers will attend and spruik their graduate and internship programs. The university will continuously update their website to ensure students are notified on any upcoming career fairs. You may also want to reach out to your local student society, as many employers arrange Q & A panels and industry events through the societies.