“Tauranga Girls' College was one of our biggest schools, with 30 students participating in the programme! We were thrilled to have them involved. They were all delightful, passionate, and positive. They proudly represented Tauranga Girls' College.” - Alexia Hilbertidou, GirlBoss founder.

Aaliyah Bengston, Year 13, was one of the participants in the opportunity and here’s what she had to say:

“When I signed up for the GirlBoss Edge Healthcare programme, I was extremely nervous because I'd never done anything like this before - I was putting myself out there for a new experience. However, the experience was amazing. It ran for ten days in the holidays and provided us with Facebook lives with famous mentors in their fields. They included Jazz Thornton - Mental Health Activist, Dr Justin Sung - a former medical doctor, educator and Social Entrepreneur, Dr Hinemoa Elder - a forensic youth Psychiatrist and Dr Nini Prescott, a Tongan GP and Urgent Care Doctor.

GirlBoss provided modules giving tips on applying for jobs and universities, as well as one-on-one mentoring with students or people in the workforce, including almost every type of medical job you could think of.

Throughout the GirlBoss course, little competitions went out for things like 'the best Netflix set up' for the movie night they host, and when you reach the end of your course, you get your own GirlBoss drink bottle and pin to wear! It was the best experience where I connected with others interested in nursing and mental health. It was so worth signing up, and now I know that nursing is what I want to do with my life.”

There will be a GirlBoss Edge programme in October for young women interested in:

• Business
• Finance
• Entrepreneurship

Students can sign up for the GirlBoss newsletter directly at https://www.girlboss.nz/join.