Kat Rowan

Art history lover, youth worker

Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

About

Kia ora! Currently I am a youth worker at Zeal Wellington, where I co-facilitate a weekly Rainbow hangs for high-school aged rangatahi. As an art history graduate, I have a keen interest in roles which concern curation and art historical research, and more specifically, researching and engaging with contemporary and marginalised art forms such as drag. However, I would also be keen to put to use other skills such as digital communication and media analysis. I am also interested in roles which involve community engagement or working with people in ways which serve to better their lives and address issues or challenges they may face, which links to my passion for working with rangatahi. In regard to customer service work, I have extensive experience in hospitality (restaurant and bar) environments, which has provided me with customer service skills such as the ability to work under pressure, warmth and professionalism, and time management. I have strong written and verbal communication, proofing, and editing skills, and a love for writing. I am skilled in staying up to date on social media trends and patterns, and an effective digital communicator. In relation to this, I have extensive experience with MS Word and some knowledge of Excel, as well as experience with Canva and Photoshop. Average typing speed of 85WPM. Other Achievements First Class Honours in Art History | 2024 Victoria University of Wellington Dean’s Award for academic excellence | 2023 Poetry published in Aotearoa media outlet Bad Apple 2022 and Victoria University student publication Salient; Article regarding gender affirming care at Victoria Uni Student Health/Mauri Ora published in Salient | 2022 Header Illustration by Nigel Hoare on Unsplash

Experience

  • Youth Worker at Zeal
    Feb 2025 - Present · 1 yr 5 mos

    Role working once a week at a weekly Rainbow Hangs, facilitating a safe space for queer rangatahi in Wellington to thrive and be creative.

  • Deli Assistant at New World Levin
    Dec 2024 - Feb 2025 · 3 mos

    Part-time summer role in the deli/seafood department within NW Levin as a retail assistant. Served customers and formed relationships with regulars in a fast-paced supermarket environment; Learned key food handling + food safety information.

  • Picker-packer at Creative Classrooms
    Jan 2024 - Feb 2024 · 2 mos

    Fixed-term full-time role working as a picker-packer in the Creative Classrooms stationery and school resource warehouse. This was a summer role I took on to help with increased business during the lead up to primary and secondary schools return. Assisted primary warehouse manager with any and all needs, as well as customers who came into the warehouse.

  • Food Server at Chow Restaurant & Bar
    Nov 2022 - Dec 2023 · 1 yr 2 mos

    Permanent part-time role, both FOH and bar. Gained further hospitality skills such as ability to work in an often fast-paced and very busy, popular location, addressing various customer needs. I became skilled at being able to work under pressure whilst still giving customers a good experience-- the role helped me to be attentive to people's needs and collaboratively problem-solve with other front of house or kitchen staff (catering to particular requirements such as accessibility or allergens).This role also helped me to learn to stay calm and collected under pressure.

  • Bartender at Ivy Bar & Cabaret
    Aug 2021 - Mar 2023 · 1 yr 8 mos

    Permanent part-time role as a glassie/bar back: Promoted to a bartender position in April 2022. In this role I gained strong bartending skills and greater social skills to accommodate and best serve people from all different walks of life, as well as things like conflict resolution or avoidance, such as by cutting people off from drinks while avoiding conflict. Formed strong connections with Wellington’s thriving community of drag performers.