University of Waikato student Jasmine is on a mission to ensure equal opportunities for all job seekers.
Jasmine is studying a Postgraduate Diploma in Disability and Inclusion Studies which she plans to turn into a master's degree so she can carry out her own research project.
“I’m passionate about disability studies - making it easier for people with disabilities to make a contribution to the world and be able to do what they want to do,” she said.
Her academic interests connect strongly to her own lived experience. As someone who is neurodiverse, Jasmine knows the challenges of finding work.
“Sometimes workplaces can see me as less competent than I actually am. People pick it up if I struggle to sit still, and they get irritated by me and don’t really want to give me the job which sucks,” she said.
But Jasmine has been persistent, and finding work has helped her build confidence and prove her capability.
“[Student Job Search] is easy to use. You can do remote jobs, you can look in your region, and the employers understand you’re a student.”
Jasmine found a variety of roles that have supported her financially and academically.
One of the most impactful was a contract position as a beta tester where she discovered reading and referencing tools that helped her with her studies.
She has also taken on roles like staffing at the Armageddon Expo and participating in research studies, which together have given her income, experience, and new perspectives.
The flexibility of student-orientated jobs has made it possible for Jasmine to keep studying while still working part-time.
“I do my work on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and then I study in the evenings. It pretty much adds up to full-time,” she said.
That balance has given her both financial stability and the confidence to take on new challenges.
Student Job Search is equally committed to connecting all student job seekers with opportunities.
In the last three months (July to September), equitable outcomes were a particular highlight for the charitable organisation. Disabled students recorded a 267.4% increase in job applications, and a 233.3% increase in placements.
Overall, job listings were up 11.6% in the first quarter, compared with the same period in 2024. Vacancy volumes have stabilised just above pre-pandemic benchmarks, confirming that the student job market is not only recovering but evolving, with short-term, flexible work leading the charge.
However, there is an ongoing mismatch between the number of students applying for jobs and the number of jobs available. Student demand has surged well ahead of vacancy growth with the number of student applications up 28.2% year-on-year.