CONNECT
My project focuses on supporting overseas healthcare professionals as they integrate into the New Zealand workforce. It addresses key challenges like complex credential recognition, language barriers, and a lack of support systems. Through a user-friendly platform, we offer tools such as mentorship programs, language proficiency resources, workforce training, and streamlined credential validation. The goal is to empower healthcare professionals, helping them secure meaningful employment and successfully adapt to their new environment.
Pain point 1: Credential Recognition Complexity
Navigating the complex process of getting international qualifications recognised delays employment and discourages skilled workers.
Pain point 2: Language Barriers
Limited proficiency in English, especially with medical terminology, reduces confidence and affects job applications and interviews.
Pain point 3: Lack of Support Networks
Overseas professionals often lack access to peer support, mentorship, and guidance, making it harder to adapt to New Zealand’s healthcare system.
Our goal is to design a platform that redefines workforce integration. By combining innovative technology with user-centered design, we've carefully developed features that foster inclusion, streamline processes, and empower overseas healthcare professionals in New Zealand
My positionality
As a second-generation immigrant with an Indian background, I've experienced the nuances of cultural integration firsthand. This personal journey has deeply influenced my design approach, fostering a commitment to inclusivity and empathy. Growing up in New Zealand, I recognise the privileges I've had-access to quality education and opportunities-that many overseas professionals may lack. My positionality shapes how I address systemic barriers in workforce integration, driving my goal to create solutions that are both culturally sensitive and practical, ensuring fair opportunities for all
I chose the Design Thinking process because it offers a user-centered approach, focusing on empathy and iterative problem-solving—both essential for addressing the challenges faced by overseas healthcare workers. This method allowed me to deeply explore the needs and pain points through research and reflection.
The process worked seamlessly with my design by guiding me through distinct phases:
- Empathise: Identifying real barriers like credentialing issues and cultural adaptation through secondary research and expert insights.
- Define: Narrowing down the problem to focus on practical solutions that would have the most impact.
- Ideate: Brainstorming a variety of features such as language tools, peer support, and credential validation.
- Prototype: Developing initial wireframes and dashboards to visualise the platform’s key functionalities.
- Test: Gathering feedback and refining the design to ensure the solution meets user needs effectively.
This structured yet flexible process ensured my design stayed user-focused and adaptable throughout development.
How might we design solutions to improve the employment rates of overseas healthcare workers in New Zealand, ensuring their qualifications are recognised and they are effectively integrated into the workforce?
Our goal was to create the design that reflects the latest trends. By leveraging stylish design trends, we thoughtfully curated a colour palette and typography that epitomise a modern design..
Workshop with Diana - A Hands-On Learning Experience
The workshop with Diana was an engaging and insightful session that helped us explore how interactive workshops can foster connection, awareness, and problem-solving. We learned the importance of bringing diverse voices together to generate meaningful solutions-something that directly relates to the collaborative aspects of my project. Diana demonstrated how workshops can serve as a platform for exploring perspectives and creating engagement, even if they are not long-term solutions on their own.
This session encouraged me to rethink the role of workshops within my platform. Rather than positioning workshops as the primary outcome, I now see them as a valuable tool for support systems, complementing the ongoing resources and services I aim to provide. The workshop's collaborative atmosphere also reinforced my goal to design inclusive experiences for overseas healthcare professionals, ensuring their voices and needs are recognised throughout the project journey.
