Auckland's Youngest Councillor Now an MIT Graduate

Auckland region's youngest councillor is now also an MIT graduate

At only 21, Manukau City Councillor Jami-Lee Ross is working towards re-election as the representative for Howick ward. But while council work is his first priority, Jami-Lee is also pursuing a bachelor's degree part time and graduated last week with a diploma in Communication Studies from Manukau Institute of Technology.

He was also awarded the Pacific Business Trust award for top diploma student for 2007 and the Cheltenham Consultants award for top graduating student in Public Relations 1.

"Being on the council is a full time role and I spend a lot of time traveling around Manukau City, attending council meetings and discussing council issues with the community," says Jami-Lee. "Being a councillor is a demanding role and I felt that it was important to continue my education so that I could be an effective representative for Howick."

Jami-Lee serves on a number of council committees that address council planning and community development as well as transport and community safety, and is particularly concerned about issues such as rates and the provision of quality community facilities such as libraries, parks and swimming pools.

"There are a lot of skills you need to develop to successfully communicate the community's hopes and desires," he says.

"The communications course particularly helped me with the public relations aspect of my role. I interact a lot with the media and I need to clearly communicate the concerns of Howick constituents while also giving the media the information they need.

"Being a councillor also involves attending a lot of meetings so the effective business presentations paper was particularly helpful for learning public speaking skills."

This paper teaches students how to create informative and persuasive presentations in a business or technological environment.

Other papers in the diploma include team and organisational communication, media studies and the news, e-communication, professional and organisational writing, intercultural communication, and communication using advocacy, lobbying and negotiation skills.

The graduand was raised by his grandmother who always encouraged him to pursue his goals, and one of them is to help other people. "That's certainly the most fulfilling part of being on the council," he says.

"I always took an interest in politics and I like to succeed in the things I do. Being elected to council at 18 was a huge achievement but also a great challenge – it meant I had a lot to learn. I'm really enjoying it and it certainly keeps me busy."

But study and work are not the only things occupying this highly motivated and organised young man. "I was working towards a commercial pilot license before being elected to council so I'm also keeping up with that. Flying has always been a passion of mine."

ENDS

About MIT
Manukau Institute of Technology is one New Zealand's largest polytechnics. It offers more than 100 formal programmes at degree, diploma and certificate level and has a student population of around 32,000. Established in 1970 as the country's first purpose built polytechnic, MIT delivers vocational education and training. With a workforce of 900, MIT is one of the biggest employers in the Counties Manukau region. Manukau City is New Zealand's fastest growing metropolis.

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