Jevasha (Jaé) Govender discovered her path to higher education success with Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), which has helped to support her career advancement.
SIT was recommended to Jaé by one of her closest friends, a fellow South African living in New Zealand, who at the time Jaé applied, was completing a different course at SIT. “She spoke very highly of her experience,” Jaé said.
“After doing my own research, I decided to apply for the Level 7 Post Graduate Diploma in Hotel Management (based at SIT’s Queenstown campus) — I was not disappointed that I chose SIT to further my studies.
”Prior to enrolling at SIT, Jaé had spent nine years travelling the world working on cruise ships. This gave her the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment. “I spent around 15 years working in the hospitality and tourism industry before studying again.
”Jaé admits she was completely out of touch with student life and everything that comes with it before her course began. “It had been about 10 years since I was last a student; I just hoped I wouldn’t be the oldest in the class—so I was relieved to find out I was not!”
“I learnt a great deal during my course at SIT – there were several new subjects, particularly on the business side, that I found both challenging and rewarding.”
Topics like strategic management, marketing, and human resources were especially valuable, as they gave Jaé a broader understanding of how businesses operate and how to think more critically and analytically. “The course also helped me to improve my research and communication skills, which I’ve found incredibly useful in a professional setting.
”Studying at SIT not only deepened Jaé’s academic knowledge but also pushed her to grow personally; being exposed to diverse viewpoints and real-world case studies encouraged Jaé to adapt, stay open-minded, and build confidence in unfamiliar situations.
“This experience strengthened my ability to evaluate challenges from multiple angles and make well-considered decisions—skills I continue to draw on in both professional and personal contexts. I would love to say that kind of wisdom comes with age— but I have to give some credit to my time at SIT!”
Whilst there were many lessons learned during her course, Jaé found one of the most valuable was how to apply what she learned to real work situations.
“I also gained more confidence in working independently and managing my time effectively. The programme was well-structured, and the support from lecturers made a big difference—they were approachable and genuinely interested in helping us succeed.”
What Jaé enjoyed most about student life at SIT was the friendly and supportive environment. On the academic side, she really appreciated the practical assignments and engaging discussions that made learning both interesting and relevant.
“All the tutors and academic team were amazing and incredibly supportive throughout the course, especially during Covid.” While it was a new experience for all of them, the staff ensured the smooth transition to online classes and that learning continued without interruption. Looking back, Jaé believes the tutors’ efforts were crucial in helping her navigate that challenging period – “being overseas away from my parents, family, and friends”, and acknowledged the ongoing support and regular communication made her feel less isolated and more engaged, “even while I was physically separated from others”.
Despite the circumstances, Jaé knew she wasn’t alone and could still connect with classmates and tutors, which made a huge difference to her motivation and wellbeing.
“Honestly, the biggest highlight [of SIT] was meeting my fiancé there! Who knew that signing up for a course would lead to signing up for a lifetime together.”
After graduating in 2020, Jaé left Queenstown to pursue her goal of becoming a hotel manager at a 5-star property, which led her to work at one of New Zealand’s top luxury golf resorts in the far north. From there, she moved to Auckland to become a tutor in hospitality and tourism.
“Gaining my adult teaching qualification was another major goal I achieved along the way. [Teaching] helped me overcome my fear of public speaking and sparked a passion for facilitating and supporting students in hospitality and tourism.”
Jaé is now managing the reservations team at Te Arai Links, a luxury golf course with two of the best golf courses in New Zealand. “Studying at SIT gave me practical knowledge and confidence to progress through these roles and reach where I am today.”
Having worked in numerous roles in hospitality and tourism over the past 19 years, Jaé feels like she has accomplished “quite a bit” in her career to date. “Right now, I really enjoy what I am doing and am happy where I am. Looking ahead, I am open to returning to tutoring because I found it rewarding to help students pursue their goals.”
Having benefited so much from her own experience at SIT, Jaé says maybe one day she’ll have the opportunity to return to SIT in a teaching or mentoring role. “I would love … to give back by supporting and guiding students as they embark on their own journeys in hospitality and tourism.”