First Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Leadership and Management) graduate

Zahra Herrmann is a better leader and manager after studying a new postgraduate qualification with New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC).

She is the first Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Leadership and Management) graduate and recommends it to both naturally born leaders and those that need support to find their leadership styles and voices.

“If being a leader comes naturally to you then you can benefit from the information and self-awareness the qualification offers. Some of us are not natural born leaders and in that case the skills learnt in this qualification are absolutely necessary if you intend to teach early childhood education.”

Herrmann has gained an understanding that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to leadership and management.

Not only has it made her more self-aware of her own style, but she can now recognise and understand other styles within her team members which has helped her build better relationships.

Having been a centre manager for many years, Herrmann is no stranger to leadership but recognised the value in studying it to enhance her professional development.

“I realised that I had no formal training in leadership and management and certainly not specifically in an educational setting. I knew that I needed specific training in this area.”

Originally from Iran, one of her major challenges while studying was writing assignments in English at a postgraduate level.

“English is my second language and formal writing (any writing for that matter) is a bit of a challenge. I find it difficult to express my thoughts accurately in a different language.”

Being forced to challenge herself through postgraduate study has improved her English skills and confidence in her formal writing greatly.

The postgraduate certificate is the third qualification that Herrmann has undertaken with NZTC. She began with a Diploma of Teaching (ECE) then upgraded to a Bachelor of Teaching (ECE).

Herrmann enjoyed the flexibility that studying through NZTC Online has allowed her. She developed time management skills to help her juggle her work and family commitments alongside her studies and found that NZTC was there to support her throughout her learning journey.

If you want to upskill like Zahra, contact the Admissions Team today

- admissions@nztertiarycollege.ac.nz, 09 520 4000 (Auckland), 03 366 8000 (Christchurch).