Recent Master of Applied Management graduate Cinderella (Cindy) Orias says choosing to study at AIC has been one of the best decisions she’s made.
“It challenged me academically, helped me grow personally, expanded my professional network, and opened doors to new career opportunities in New Zealand."
Cindy built a career of over 20 years across the telecommunications and financial services industries, specialising in business analysis, data governance, and digital transformation.
She says she has always been passionate about solving business problems through data and technology. Back home in the Philippines, she led and contributed to large-scale transformation initiatives.
“For me, it's not just about systems and processes, it's about helping organisations make better decisions and create meaningful change.”
Although she had extensive industry experience, she wanted to challenge herself further.
“I knew there was still more to learn, particularly in research and emerging areas such as data governance and AI. Pursuing postgraduate study also gave me the opportunity to gain international experience and broaden my perspective.”
Studying overseas had always been one of her goals.
“New Zealand stood out because of its high-quality education, multicultural environment, and excellent work opportunities.”
AIC's practical learning approach and the opportunity to undertake applied research made it the perfect fit.
“I wanted a programme that would not only build on my experience but also prepare me for the future of data and technology.”
She says she was fortunate to have lecturers and supervisors who genuinely cared about student success.
“I'm especially grateful to Dr Shafiq and Dr Indra, whose guidance throughout my research journey challenged me to think more critically and grow as a professional.”
She also enjoyed studying alongside classmates from many different cultures and professional backgrounds. Learning from one another made the experience even richer.
“What I appreciated most was how practical the programme was, how I could immediately apply what I was learning to real workplace challenges.”
She says one of the proudest milestones of her journey was securing a Business Analyst role in New Zealand while completing her studies. She now works in Auckland, helping organisations strengthen their data governance and data capabilities.
“It was incredibly rewarding because it showed that persistence, continuous learning, and believing in yourself really do pay off.”
She encourages current students to make the most of every opportunity by attending workshops, industry events, networking sessions, and volunteering whenever they can.
“Build relationships, ask questions, stay curious, and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Learning doesn't stop in the classroom.”
Her advice to prospective students is to take the leap.
“Investing in your education is also investing in yourself. The journey won't always be easy, but if you stay committed and embrace every opportunity, it can truly change your life.”
“My best advice would be to talk to others. Students might get some insights unexpectedly during a coffee meeting with their friends which might be helpful for their paper.”
“The institution’s core values, developing the whole person, fostering lifelong learning, and contributing to the community deeply align with my own beliefs.”
“The best thing about studying at AIC is the classroom environment and the interactive way of learning which allows one to explore themself.”
"My goal is to integrate my industry experience with my academic knowledge to create meaningful business solutions.”
“This isn’t just a job - it’s the New Zealand dream I hoped for when pursuing my master’s.”
“Rest days were few and far between as I balanced work at the hotel, my internship, and peer tutoring.”
"It felt like a good opportunity to try something new."
“This role represents a meaningful opportunity made possible through the support and recommendations of the AIC Employability Team.”
“Don’t be afraid to show who you are while growing in a new environment.”
“There is great support for students in terms of educational support, employability support, as well as fun student trips that I got to join."
“I’d love to use my new knowledge and skills in new technologies within the New Zealand IT industry, or help bring new technologies into non-IT companies."
“Studying with people from different backgrounds has helped me learn not only from the course content but also from their experiences and perspectives.”
