03 September 2024 A New York state of mind for recent Lincoln graduate

Thomas officially graduates this week by Council, earning his Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Supply Chain Management.

But while most new graduates celebrate in Canterbury, Thomas is already deep in the rat race, making a name for himself through Lincoln's internship programme with Kuehne + Nagel (KN) at their North American Headquarters in New York.

Thomas first stepped foot into the city that never sleeps in January.

"I remember arriving in the snow-covered city with sunburn still fresh from my summer break and being absolutely clueless," he recalled. "I didn’t even know what the Empire State Building looked like."

Arriving in New York felt like a far cry from his small-town beginnings, especially since Thomas hadn’t always planned on ending up in business, first considering engineering before making a last-minute switch. 

"It’s funny, I didn’t even sign up for a degree at first, I started a Diploma in Business and enjoyed Lincoln so much that I stayed on.

“I saw the opportunity to go to New York in my second year and always had it in the back of my mind, though I never thought I’d actually get it."

Adjusting to life in the concrete jungle took some time for Thomas even with his newfound passion driving him forward. 

"I went from fixing cars in a garage to working in a massive multi-level office with over 300 people, at a desk for up to 10 hours a day and looking over the Financial District and World Trade Centre. 

“It was a bit overwhelming at first, to say the least.”

Fast forward to today, and he’s thriving in one of the world’s most competitive cities and leading logistics companies. He credits Lincoln’s connection with KN for helping him find a sense of belonging in what can be a cutthroat industry. 

“It made the journey much more comfortable having friends – and even my manager – from New Zealand and specifically Lincoln, which I’ve learnt is otherwise quite rare in New York."

Signing up for the paid KN internship programme is no ordinary work experience. Interns are immediately immersed in the real-world operations of the world’s largest logistics company.

Thomas has already navigated challenges he never imagined facing. 

“In the first half of my internship, I was working in VinLog, handling wine imports into the U.S. and collaborating with people across the world.

“It was hectic because everyone was in different time zones, each with their own demands, but it taught me a lot about international business—and that Italians are very emotional people.” 

Now, Thomas is part of the rates team, dealing with the financial side of the business, where prices fluctuate daily due to global events.

“One minute there’s a conflict in Russia, and the next a ship bombing, and I’ve got to help keep things running. It’s a role I never thought I’d be dealing with, coming from laid-back Timaru,” he said.

Fortunately, Thomas isn’t the only Lincoln student who has benefitted from these experiences. When he arrived, he joined recent graduates Catherine Pearce, Millie Griffiths, and Anna Farrington, all of whom completed their Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing with a major in Supply Chain Management last May. 

Lincoln University’s strong relationship with KN, solidified through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), continues to provide a steady stream of students with this invaluable global experience.

To be eligible for the internship, the student must have completed either a major or minor in the Supply Chain Management programme at Lincoln University. 

Mark Wilson, Head of the programme, emphasises its strength, which includes six core papers focused on commercial supply chain solutions. 

“It’s the most extensive programme in New Zealand,” he noted. "Our students are sought after not just for their academic progress but also for their ability to think critically, manage time effectively, and present themselves well.

“Our students are being snapped up everywhere, and the demand for them is only growing.”

Thomas agrees that Lincoln’s programme gave him solid fundamentals but also credits much of his success to the overall Lincoln experience.

"It’s more than just academics—it’s the culture and social aspect too.

“Lincoln was great for meeting people and learning how to communicate through the social culture. I’ve found that’s crucial in my job, where I’m dealing with different people every day.”

Aimee Kingsbury, Director of Sea Logistics Global Customer Engagement at KN, Global Manager of the internship programme and a Lincoln alumna, echoes this sentiment. 

 “Lincoln graduates stand out more than anything because of this gusto and energy to work hard—and they do it with a smile.

“It’s exactly what we look for in our team; we can build the expertise, but it’s the energy and fresh perspective we get from them that we benefit from, ultimately helping us maintain the leading edge over our competitors.” 

Lucky for Thomas, Kingsbury mentioned he ticks these boxes as well, with “an energy that people gravitate towards and an ability to bring people together and show up when needed.”

Aimee is no stranger to the Lincoln community, having graduated eight years ago with a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture and securing the very internship she now facilitates. She’s seen firsthand how Lincoln graduates thrive at KN, with many recently securing permanent roles as far as Melbourne, Hong Kong, and Toronto.

"We get interns from all over the world, but about half of them come from Lincoln.

“It’s great to see them make the most of the opportunities here and then go on to secure permanent roles, which is always our goal for them.”

Thomas showing his Mum the sights on the Brooklyn Bridge

As KN continues to expand its partnership with Lincoln, including new internship opportunities for our graduates in Australia starting next year, the future looks bright for students following in Thomas’s footsteps. 

And for Thomas, the journey is just beginning. With potential offers in Europe on the horizon, he’s excited to see where his career will take him next.

"I’m looking for a move that can take me further up the food chain, maybe in Switzerland or France, but there are plenty of options."

For students considering a similar path, Thomas offers some final advice: "It’s epic, and you learn a lot about yourself; moving across the world and getting out of your comfort zone, the opportunity is unmatched, especially straight out of university.” 

Thomas has fully embraced everything New York has to offer, mentioning the diverse food scene—where he said, "Yes, the bagels really are that good"—to the epic sports events and social scenes around Brooklyn.

But more than just enjoying the city, he’s learnt invaluable lessons that will help shape his career.

“The diversity here is incredible,” he said. “You see all walks of life on these streets, all making their way in this massive beast of a place—and that’s one key thing I’ve learnt—if you’re considering international business, learning another language like Spanish is a huge benefit.” 

Above all, he said, “You’ve just got to experience it for yourself.” 

With Lincoln University’s continued commitment to providing global opportunities like these, students like Thomas are not just stepping into the world—they're shaping it, whether in New York or beyond.