Student profiles - Waikato Management School
Javier Te Wawaro Doorbar
Human Resource Management, Leadership Communication
"There was a lot of wrap-around support at Waikato, and that was really important to me."
Jacinda Ardern
Public Relations
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern completed a Bachelor of Communication Studies at Waikato Management School in 2001.
Charlotte Callaghan
Strategic Management, Supply Chain Management
"I was able to complete two internships during the four years of my BMS(Hons) degree, one of them at Foodstuffs and the other at Manta5, which gave me a lot more credibility and experience when applying for my first job."
Rachael Mya Chaitika
Public Relations
"I’ve had the opportunity to start a podcast through Nexus Media, and network with organisations. I’ve also learned how the public relations industry functions through industry trips organised by the Management Communication Students’ Association."
Connor Haar
Accounting, Japanese
"I always knew that when I finished my degree, it would be a strong one to go out into the workplace."
Paige McKenna-Harris
Agribusiness, Finance
"I loved the practical nature of the paper, working on case studies, as well as being a part of some great teams with people who are now my closest friends."
Ethan Rendall
Accounting, Finance
"This scholarship has allowed me to focus on my studies, rather than the finances of completing my degree. It’s an amazing opportunity and I feel great.""
Lushomo Thebe
"I can talk about everything I have learnt as part of my qualification, but for me, it’s the people I’ve met and the love and support I’ve received. It feels like home"
Graeme Sutherland
Marketing, Strategic Management
"I’d always been someone who knew exactly what I wanted to do; I had this path all tracked out for my life, and then suddenly one day boom it was all over, and I thought, what am I going to do?"
Breana Nobilo
Public Relations
"I love that we do very practical assignments with real-world scenarios. My degree covers so many areas and possible careers, with internship and apprenticeship opportunities. This gives a cool hands-on experience in the workplace, which helped me find out what kind of job and workplace I want to go into."
Kimihia Solomon-Banks
Accounting, Finance
"If you are not sure about coming to University, just do it! A lot of us don’t think we are capable, but there is a lot of support [at Waikato], and people here who will help you to succeed."
Peata Graham
Maori, Strategic Management
"I didn’t have any experience with business at high school, it was something I picked up in my final year, but I decided to take the leap and it was the best decision."
Mark Wilson
"Sustainability isn’t a matter of choice now, but a business imperative, and I believe the next generation of business unicorns will come out of the sustainability space."
Mikaela Paradizo-Medina
Economics, Marketing
"My achievements in the subject stem from my love and passion for economics, its many theories, its ever-changing nature, and its relevance to everyday life."
Bradley Sam
Economics, Law
"“My exchange was one of the best parts of my university life. It’s been a positive discussion point in job interviews and has definitely helped me get to where I am today.”"
Christine Hall
Coming from a health background as an occupational therapist, Christine Hall wanted a business qualification that would enable her to progress her career and move into management roles in other industries.
Ayesha Saeed
Strategic Management, Supply Chain Management
"My dad wanted me to go to New Zealand because it is safe and because the University of Waikato’s Management School (WMS) has Triple Crown accreditation, and its rankings are very high, so he encouraged me to go for it."
Kanj Patel
Accounting, Finance, Law, Leadership Communication
"I completed both four-year degrees in only four years and obtained First Class Honours in my management degree. I needed to get on the gas and get it done as fast as possible."
Stella Dobbs
Digital Business, Finance, Human Resource Management, Strategic Management
"I loved my time at university and I really value the exposure I got to a range of topics and viewpoints. I think the small class sizes helped where lectures would often turn into discussions. This helped me develop critical thinking skills, and the opportunity to work with different people in group projects is experience I value."
Parth Patel
Supply Chain Management
"I am living my dream and one day hope to come back to the University of Waikato for a further qualification. I hope I can inspire other international students and help them believe they can achieve their dreams too."
Briar Thompson
Public Relations, Spanish
"“I valued the relationships I had with my lecturers, who challenged and inspired me, and who took an interest in what I wanted to do next and supported me to get there.""
Lani Wreaks
Political Science, Public Relations
"I had the opportunity to work alongside real businesses while still receiving that same level of support and resources you would expect from teaching staff."
Bella Takiari-Brame
Maori
"The experiences and peers that I met during my time at Waikato are forever connected. The University has a special place in my heart and always will. It offered lots of opportunity for Māori when I first started studying here, and still does"
Luke Coxhead
Marketing, Strategic Management
Walking in the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary on a trek through the Himalayas is just one of the many incredible memories that Luke Coxhead will treasure from his time at Waikato University.
Stevie Ward
Human Resource Management, Marketing
"The presentation skills I gained at Waikato have helped me become more confident with presenting training to staff and conducting interviews."
Ruan Nunes
Economics, Human Resource Management
Ruan Nunes loves being able to work outdoors all summer as the manager of several kiwifruit orchards. He says his Bachelor of Management Studies degree from Waikato gave him the confidence to believe in himself and the decisions he makes.
Shivoy Dudeja
Finance
"The smaller class sizes attracted me to Waikato. I get more time with my lecturers, which enhances my learning. All my lecturers know me by name and are always happy to help and answer questions."
Hayden Johnston
Finance
"Throughout my career so far I have found myself applying the skills I learned in BBA papers such as international corporate finance, portfolios and markets, and economics, law and policy."
Judit Dervadelin
Accounting
"I wanted a shorter course, and Waikato was the only university in New Zealand offering an intensive 14-month masters in accounting."
Linzi Gao
Accounting
Linzi Gao is an international student from Sichuan, China who is motivated to build a successful career for herself as a Chartered Accountant and start a new life in New Zealand.
Artika Sharma
Accounting
Artika Sharma says the specialist skills she developed from completing a Master of Management Studies in Accounting at Waikato really helped her to stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs.
Leeann Morgan
Agribusiness
"I can’t speak highly enough of my lecturers; they were fantastic. Waikato was the most amazing agribusiness programme to be associated with."
Tim Doyle
Accounting, Management
"The whole student experience at Waikato was awesome; it creates a huge network after completing university too."
Jamie Carson
Strategic Management
"Studying Strategic Management at Waikato has given me an excellent set of tools to help navigate the uncertainties of new business."
Courtney Stayte
Public Relations
Courtney Stayte says Waikato's Bachelor of Communication is a must for anyone considering a career in public relations. "The qualification relies heavily on putting theory into practice - a must for any PR practitioner."
Nick Ross
Economics
Black Sticks hockey player Nick Ross credits the analytical and business skills he honed at Waikato Management School for securing a career at Fonterra that he enjoys so much.
Nick Robertson
Economics
"I enjoyed studying Economics at high school, so after taking ECON100, Business Economics and the New Zealand Economy, I was certain this was what I wanted to major in. It gave me the confidence and skills to deal with large amounts of data and to deliver insights through the analysis of numbers."
Matthew Osborne
Economics, Finance
When he’s not focused on the financial markets, Matthew Osborne is enjoying the waves on Sydney’s northern beaches.
The BMS(Hons) graduate works for the financial markets team at Westpac Institutional Bank, where his expertise in in foreign exchange (FX) derivatives.
James Forster
Marketing
Working for the Chiefs Rugby franchise has been the perfect career start for James Forster, a social media marketing specialist who did his Bachelor of Communication Studies degree at Waikato University.
Dillon Williams
Marketing, Strategic Management
"The whole BMS(Hons) degree is structured exceptionally well. The opportunities where you get to apply theories and models to real-life business cases are extremely valuable."
Greg Johnston
Entrepreneurship, Strategic Management
"If you’re looking to start your own business, the Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours degree is ideal"
Matt Kenrick
Digital Business, Electronic Business, Marketing
"My degree put me one step ahead of the competition, as it enabled me to develop contacts in the industry much earlier than some of my peers."
Jarrod Saxton
Entrepreneurship, Supply Chain Management
Jarrod Saxton is a self-confessed “daredevil in business” who gets a thrill out of running his own start-up company, Kita, which uses innovative technologies to improve the sport of rowing.
Rebecca Foote
Public Relations, Strategic Management
"We’re a nation of small businesses, so understanding the business and management side of things is a big advantage in any career. I was able to tailor my degree to focus on Public Relations, backed by a solid foundation of business knowledge – there are few other degrees that offer that kind of flexibility."
Sharma McIntyre
Finance, Strategic Management
Variety is the spice of life for Waikato Management School graduate Sharma McIntyre.
Waylon Kenning
"I thought about doing an MBA, but I really wanted a programme focused on how business and IT relate to each other, and the MDigiBus really fits the bill in that respect."
Courtney Dick
Economics, Law
"By going in-house, I have been able to utilise both my degrees. It’s nice to be part of the business process and strategic management, and I work with multiple teams including finance, creative, procurement and strategic."
Kajol Thanki
Accounting
"My time at Waikato has been characterised by a lot of learning and personal growth. I’ve learned new skills and have been pushed outside of my comfort zone through experiences that I could never have imagined I would be a part of when I first started."
Emily Gallagher
Marketing, Public Relations
"One minute I was learning how to write press releases in class, the next I was writing them in real life for the University!"
Rachel (Jiaxin) Li
Tourism and Hospitality Management
"“I’ve received a lot of support from the University, since the border restrictions meant I couldn’t study on campus, including problem-solving with my visa and my course choices,” says Rachel."
Chantelle Cobby
Leadership Communication, Strategic Management
"When I was looking for a University, Waikato really stood out because of its smaller size, which meant I could develop personal relationships with other students and lecturers."
Siddhant Shirole
"The structure of the course is brilliant, all the papers are selected carefully. The teachings of one paper are relatable in another, and it is extremely well taught with the help of real-life situations faced by people.The lecturers bring enthusiasm and positive energy so students can engage and excel in their class."
Brittany Oliver
Marketing
"It has been an absolute whirlwind, but I have loved all the learnings and experiences. I now get to manage the global business development of the range across sales, marketing and operations. It has been epic! I'm still learning every single day."
Truely Harding
Leadership Communication
"You go back to be with the people who make you who you are. You love them because you’re their whānau and they shape you to be the person you are in this world"
Rashmi Singh
Originally from India with a degree in engineering, Rashmi Singh was looking for a comprehensive one-year management course to help her grow into a future business leader. Waikato had the strong reputation and Triple Crown accreditation she needed.
Ngarangi Stewart
Political Science, Public Relations
"Kapa Haka and Waka Ama go together, I put them both on a pedestal."
Molly McGregor
Economics
"Go for it! CUP and the student advisors have strengthened my decision to attain a higher education. The support systems at Waikato University are there to help you so bring your passion, your drive and a willingness to learn."
Zaira Najam
Economics
"I chose Waikato for its quality education, world-class ranking, good faculties and supporting staff. When I got here I couldn’t believe how beautiful the campus was and how friendly the other students were. Life in New Zealand is so different. You can live your life to the fullest and I have meet so many friends here from New Zealand and all around the world."
Hollie Waimatao Wilson
Marketing, Strategic Management
As the first person in her family to attend tertiary education, Hollie Waimatao Wilson never imagined going to university when she was younger. But now she’s had a taste of it, she’s ambitious for her future business career.
Nicole Davey
Strategic Management
"I truly believe that you shouldn’t be afraid to have big dreams - hard work and having faith in your abilities will open the door to so many great opportunities."
Olivia Kerbers
Public Relations
""The Bachelor of Communication degree gives you a well-rounded balance of theory and how that’s applied in practice. You get so many opportunities to test your knowledge and put your creativity to the test through real-life scenarios, instead of just sitting there reading about it. You’re well supported by your lecturers and tutors, who help you to continually develop your skills.”"
Kristy Manley-Griffin
Accounting
"Most of my life I’d been told that I have potential, but I always wondered what it was that I should really do. I remembered enjoying accounting at high school, because I’ve always been good with numbers, but I wasn’t focused enough academically at the time, so I put it on the backburner."
Mariah Ririnui
Public Relations
"My degree gave me a really good foundation of skills, communication skills, written and spoken that I could apply to a lot of situations."
Tessa Preddy
Leadership Communication, Public Relations
Tessa Preddy is loving her career in public relations and her new life in Wellington. It was all jump-started by an internship with a communications agency that she completed during her university degree, which later turned into a full-time role.
Samaria Mason
Digital Business, Electronic Commerce, Strategic Management, Supply Chain Management
"I know that I'll be able to use my business degree from Waikato to work anywhere in the world, and that I'll always be learning."
Marina Doretto
Marketing
"I did some research and found out that Waikato Management School had partnerships with other good business schools in Brazil, and they also had Triple Crown accreditation, so I thought, why not?"
Kiriwaitingi Rei
Māori Language/Te Reo Māori, Strategic Management
"I love how the University of Waikato continues to embrace kaupapa Māori and celebrate the Kīngitanga."
Wietske Olthuis
Marketing, Tourism and Hospitality Management
"My studies gave me an array of skills across different aspects of management, from communication right through to finance. These can be applied to so many areas of everyday working life."
Libby Baron
Public Relations
Libby Baron is loving the opportunities and lifestyle in Queenstown since she graduated from a Bachelor of Communication degree at Waikato, majoring in public relations.
Norah Guan
Master of Business and Management student Norah Guan had the opportunity to apply theory into a real-world scenario while completing her internship at Blue Pacific Minerals.
Mercedes Isasmendi Escudero
"I want to be able to contribute to good ideas becoming a reality and generate a positive impact on communities and the environment. My time at the University of Waikato has certainly set me on the right path to make that a reality."
Jed Mark Del Castillo
Jed Mark Del Castillo completed an internship with a New Zealand business as part of his MBM degree, and took part in the University of Waikato-led Market Insights Project.
Alex Johnson
"I was drawn to the MBM because it was a one-year master’s degree that covered 12 business and management subjects. The programme offered practical experiences and insights into real world business realities"
Akiv Rohekar
Hailing from Pune, the educational capital of India, Akiv had a clear picture in mind about where he wanted to study for his masters degree - Waikato Management School.
Tayla Carson
"I wouldn’t change my MBM experience for anything. It’s just one year, and it’ll change your life! The course is much more practical and relevant than I thought it would be. Everything you learn in class, you can see it happening every day in real life."
Keerthana Suresh
“Studying the MBM was a fantastic experience,” says MBM graduate Keerthana Suresh, who is now living in Wellington, New Zealand. “As an international student, I felt at home and protected at Waikato Management School.”
Yin (Lucia) Liu
Lucia Liu is riding high on life since completing her Master of Business and Management at Waikato. Originally from China, she is thrilled to have found her place at Kiwi export company Comvita, while still being able to live in China.
Blake Johnson
"The 12-month MBM master’s degree didn’t require me to have done any previous business study, so it was the perfect option for me."
Razel Blaza
With a biology degree under her belt, Razel Blaza felt it was time to ditch the white lab coat and work more closely with people. The Waikato MBM degree enabled her to launch a new career in the world of business and marketing in only one year.
Shilpi Sharma
Business adviser Shilpi Sharma says the Waikato MBM opened doors for her in the business world and equipped her to become a leader.
Michael Sparrow
After completing the Master of Business and Management (MBM) at Waikato University, Michael has now found his dream job as a business analyst for Air New Zealand.
Nitika Bothra
Becoming a data analyst was Nitika’s number one goal when she left India to study a master's in business at Waikato University. Her hard work has paid off. She now works as an asset data analyst for Watercare Services Ltd in Auckland.
Srishti Kaur
Marketing
"The course helped me to think about my business from a fresh viewpoint, and helped me with my web presence and Google Analytics."
Adrian Smith
Digital Business
"My greatest strength I gained from Waikato is the ability to solve problems and create meaningful solutions. It’s now what I’m famous for – when the problem seems impossible they wheel me out."
Kendl Hambly
Marketing, Strategic Management
Building a deeper understanding of customers’ thoughts, perceptions and behaviours has always been a keen interest of mine and a key driver in motivating me to pursue varied opportunities in the marketing and communications sphere.
Todd Harper
Marketing, Public Relations
"Good communication is absolutely critical to the success of any organisation that needs to make well-informed decisions."
Genevieve Pye
Finance, Strategic Management
Genevieve Pye says the Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours degree has given her a fantastic springboard for her career in banking.
Cathan Bowler
Finance, Strategic Management
"I’d heard the Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours (BMS(Hons) degree had a mean reputation, so I thought, this is going to be something special. It has really opened my eyes up to so many new opportunities that I didn’t even know existed."
Hannah Dinh
Finance
Since completing a Master of Management Studies in Finance with first class honours, Hannah Dinh is now employed as an operations lead at Google in Ireland.
Sean McKenna
Finance
"If you dream big, Waikato can open up any door and provide you with a solid foundation to achieve on both the national and international stage."
Ellyse Bowen
Marketing, Public Relations
Ellyse Bowen started out as a marketing intern at the University of Waikato, and she jumped at the chance to work here full-time.
Abbey Hilson
Marketing, Public Relations
"Creating a real-life public relations campaign in third year was 100% the highlight of my BCS degree. We learnt how to deal with people, clients, deadlines, stress and all the things that come with working in the real world. It was a great stepping stone."
Daniel Stevenson
Finance, Strategic Management
When Daniel Stevenson finished his management degree at Waikato, he headed straight to Sydney to work for Deutsche Bank. Now he's working on Wall Street in New York.
Lee Reichardt
Digital Business, Electronic Business
While studying digital business at Waikato, Lee Reichardt co-founded his own web design agency, Rocketspark.co.nz.
Alex Kravchenko
Economics
"The technical and academic skills I learnt at Waikato I use every day. I first felt a bit humbled when I started [at the UN] as some interns came from Harvard, the London School of Economics, Oxford, but I was happy to realise that the education I received put me on an equal footing with them in terms of my ability to perform."
David Dai
Economics, Finance
The future looks promising for David Dai, who’s landed a top role as a senior associate at BNZ Waikato – normally reserved for the best and brightest graduates after 12 months of intensive training.
Kale Isaac
Economics, Law
"The high calibre of academic programmes and lecturers was one of the primary reasons I chose to study here. Waikato is also very strong at promoting teamwork in a supportive environment."
Xiao Ying
Economics
"I enjoyed studying with the joint institute and would love to go back to New Zealand one day. My advice for all current ZUCC students is just to enjoy the experience and make the most of all opportunities!"
Anton Steiner
"A senior associate from Deloitte advised me that if I was really interested in consulting work, then I should consider additional study. Digital technology is transforming all aspects of business, so graduates who have skills in e-commerce are really valuable."
Dannie Jefferies
Digital Business
"We don’t know what technological advancements are around the corner, but Waikato’s Master of Digital Business means you can be right on the edge of development. The MDigiBus has given me confidence around digital strategy and problem solving. The recognition and support I've received from the lecturers has just been phenomenal."
Thomas Macdonald
Agribusiness, Finance
Having grown up on a dairy farm in Gordonton, Thomas Macdonald has always been passionate about farming. He says it was a huge advantage for him to study agribusiness at Waikato University.
Chandrashekar (Chandra) Raju
Accounting
"“The entire programme is structured in a very thoughtful way, starting with the basics, then moving from intermediate to advanced accounting topics. The course brings in elements of information systems and law as well, so we can be decision makers not just book-keepers.”"
Hayley Flett
Accounting
"It was exactly what I was looking for. Being able to say that I’m the first in my family to have a master’s degree is also pretty awesome."
Aleena Sutton
Accounting
"Studying accounting provides you with many different options. It enables you to work in various branches of accounting and a wide range of industries. It’s also beneficial if you want to start up your own company or work in other areas of business."
Ruth Venter
Accounting
While studying accounting, Ruth Venter realised that what she really cared about was sustainability. She ended up doing a masters thesis on carbon reporting by not-for-profit organisations, and now works as an environmental sustainability consultant.
Nathan Carrasco
Economics, Finance
Nathan Carrasco feels grateful for the many opportunities he’s enjoyed as part of his management degree at Waikato. They include some incredible lecturers, a summer internship at the Commerce Commission in Wellington, and the WMS Case Competition.
"I thought Waikato was the right place for me because it’s slightly smaller scale, so it’s really friendly and supportive. I liked the lecturers as well; their office was always open to have a chat.”
Annalea Tumutoa
Accounting
Cook Islands-born Annalea Tumutoa has said “e no'o ra” (goodbye) to her fun-filled career as a flight attendant and “kia orana” to the corporate world on her new journey as a recently qualified accountant.
Nadine Parata
"Balancing travelling the country for work, spending time with family, and studying has been a challenge, but nothing that is worth doing is going to be easy – and the MBA is definitely worth it."
Greg Pearce
Finance, Management
Greg Pearce has built America's Cup yachts, and worked on international aerospace and energy projects. But it took him 20 years to begin his tertiary education at the University of Waikato - and he certainly doesn't do things by halves.
Andrew Mumford
Andrew Mumford says the Waikato MBA programme gave him a new repertoire of resources to call on and inspired his passion for seeking new ways to solve problems.
Tahl Lawrence
With a background in civil engineering, Tahl Lawrence signed up for the Waikato MBA to broaden his outlook and extend his professional skillset. "It gives you the tools to make some great choices in your career," he says.
Raewyn Mahara
Education Studies, Māori Language/Te Reo Māori, Management, Teaching
With over 20 years’ experience in the education sector, Raewyn Mahara decided to take the next step in her professional development by joining the MBA programme at the Waikato-Tainui College for Research and Development.
Clare Swallow
Clare Swallow says her Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies has given her the confidence to back herself to take on new opportunities, and find solutions when things are not 100% on track.
Nick Kemp
With a background in IT and a passion for learning new things, Nick Kemp chose to throw himself wholeheartedly into a postgraduate business qualification at Waikato Management School.
Grant Kedian
"The Waikato MBA programme far exceeded my expectations and taught me aspects of business that many managers and leaders would perhaps not even consider. It was an absolute eye opener and allowed me to significantly develop my leadership abilities and my general business acumen."
Heather Johnston
Management
"I am genuinely passionate about future-proofing our people and our environment to do things better, and am driven by the evolution of fresh thinking and innovation that step changes us all to a more safer, sustainable future."
Mark Hosking
Having spent the past 12 years working as a veterinarian in the dairy industry, finding a university with strong links to the agricultural sector, and an MBA with a grounded approach to practical business, was the key to helping Mark advance his career.
Richard Kinzett
Richard Kinzett wanted to understand more about corporate management and leadership when he decided to enrol for the Waikato MBA. Now he holds a senior management role in Brisbane, Australia.
Nicola Daisley
Nicola Daisley says her four-year journey to gain the Waikato MBA was extremely rewarding and helped her achieve what she set out to do.
Hana Grant
Finance
Hana Grant (Ngati Pikiao and Tapuika) graduated with a Waikato MBA in 2010. She says a highlight of her experience was the 10-day study tour to China and Singapore.
Ipu Hapi
Ipu Hapi likens the Waikato MBA to a sacred taonga, like the All Blacks jersey. “It is a symbol of excellence, hard work, and shows that with effort and sacrifice I can become all that I want to be.”
Matthew Cooper
Matthew Cooper has been an All Black and is currently a CEO with a six million dollar budget, but he decided he needed to get some formal qualifications next to his name.
Grant Anderson
Taupo man Grant Anderson was looking for further career advancement, and a way of formalising the value of his decades of experience as a Chartered Accountant and director, when he signed up for the Waikato MBA.
Angus Macdonald
Economics, Supply Chain Management
Angus Macdonald will be saying adiós to New Zealand and 'hola' to Mexico, as the recipient of a Prime Minister's Scholarship to Latin America.
Brad Sherman
Accounting
Brad Sherman has been a gardener, a cook in a takeaway bar, exercised dogs for a pet motel, ushered at Chiefs rugby games, and tutored university students. Thanks to his BBA degree at Waikato, he's now employed as a consultant for Deloitte New Zealand.
Ryan Clark
Finance
When contemplating which degree to take at uni after high school, Waikato Management School’s solid international reputation was what really stood out for Ryan Clark.
Aaminah Ghani
Marketing, Supply Chain Management
"What makes Waikato special is the staff and students. The university just has this atmosphere, this energy, where it’s all about collaboration, and you can create those connections with people in a really genuine way."
Callum Saunders
"I realise that I won’t be cycling competitively forever and I’ll be able to put my degree to good use."
Sam Marelich
Design Media, Marketing
As the Managing Partner for San Francisco-based recruitment firm, The Collective Search, Sam
Marelich spends his days creating opportunities and opening doors for his clients in the tech world.
Although, if it wasn’t for a few very useful coffee meetings, he may not be where he is today.
Stacey McIntosh
Marketing, Public Relations
Stacey McIntosh is the brains behind one of New Zealand’s latest fashion successes, and if you’re a bit clothes-obsessed, it’s likely you’ve heard of it.
Dylan Wilson
Strategic Management, Supply Chain Management
"I’ve always known that I wanted to do a management degree at Waikato, because it suits my personality so well. I really enjoy talking to people and trying to solve problems.
I was considering going to university in Auckland, but I’d heard really good things about the four-year Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours degree here in Hamilton; that it was well regarded by employers and includes a practical work internship; so that had a big influence on my decision."
Xiaokun Deng
Management
"The University of Waikato is fantastic because of the resources and help they provide through student services. The assistance you get as a student here exceeded my expectations."
Te Aorangi Murphy-Fell
Finance, Māori Language/Te Reo Māori, Strategic Management
"I knew that Waikato had a good reputation for caring about tikanga Māori and Māori students, so that was a big pull for me. The Management School also has a great reputation.
For me, my career and life goals are not focused on making money; that’s just a by-product of doing work that is valuable in its own right. I'd like to contribute to the development and strengthening of the Māori economy, which is set to get even bigger in the future."
Tom Leslie
Accounting, Chinese
"I wanted to study business because it’s an area that has always interested me; it opens the door to a lot of different career options. My family runs a logging business in Whangarei, and when I left high school I started up my own labour contracting business."
Guillermo William Revelo
"Studying at Waikato not only gave me academic knowledge, but it also helped me discover my potential as a leader and my passion for community work."
Alana Scott
Strategic Management
Alana Scott is the owner-manager of A Little Bit Yummy, a business that works to create simple, yummy recipes for sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome.
Luke Dingle
Finance, Strategic Management
He’s a financial adviser by day, and a champion powerlifter by night. In his role as an associate at PlanWise in Mount Maunganui, Luke Dingle gives professional financial advice to clients about personal insurance and mortgages.
Louis Wilks
Marketing, Strategic Management
"The really great thing about Waikato University is the people, the lecturers, and all the friends you make."
Anna Caudwell
Accounting, Economics
The business degree at Waikato involves so much group work which helps you learn how to work with others to achieve a common goal, rather than competing against others – I think this aligns really well with working in the real world.
Olivia Leckner
Marketing, Public Relations
"In my job, I get to contribute to the planning and implementation of strategies and I'm also learning a lot about risk and reputation management, media relations, and public relations strategy."
Monica Helbano
Leadership Communication, Public Relations
"Studying at Waikato University gave me a solid footing for getting into the professional world."
Ella Tappin
Accounting
Ella Tappin is well on track to fulfilling her ambition of becoming a chartered accountant since graduating as Waikato's top accounting student in 2013.
Rachel Leinhardt
Hospitality Management, Tourism Management
Rachel Leinhardt has a great passion for the tourism industry, having been immersed in it from a young age.
Saul Wells-Lakeland
Saul Wells-Lakeland decided he wanted to work in the corporate work after finishing his social sciences degree – and the Master of Business and Management proved to be his ticket to success. Mid-way through the course, Saul secured himself a graduate sales and marketing role at a global health company in Auckland.
Gina Millar
Digital Business
"[The Master of Digital Business is] a huge advantage in the job market, because I'll be more qualified than most other people applying for the same positions."
Ebony de Thierry
Marketing
Master of Management Studies graduate Ebony de Thierry says "digital marketing is massive at the moment", and she's enjoying her new career as a digital marketing manager in London.
Lucas de Jong
Public Relations
"With BBC World News, you're working on the biggest stories in the world. So I bounce around a bit, producing stories, editing, doing voice-overs, even overnight reporting. I really love being out in the field, seeing stories unfold in front of me."
Bjarne Frederiksen
Applied Computing, Electronic Business
Bjarne gained hands-on experience at Digital Stream, a multi-media development company in Hamilton, while still completing his electronic commerce degree at Waikato.
Anne Blakeway
Studying for an MBA had been on Anne Blakeway’s bucket list for more than a decade, and the programme at Waikato Management School “more than delivered” on her expectations, she says.