Our Graduates

Megan Lyon, BA
Business Development Manager
Hamilton City Theatres, Hamilton City Council

Currently...
Megan Lyon gets to see lots of shows, all in the name of business. Megan is responsible for business development at three Hamilton theatres; for bringing acts to the city, for marketing and promoting them and making sure that the venues are sustainable. Under Megan’s watch, the council has introduced a subscription season.

"It’s hard to believe but the three theatres host more than 700 events each year, some small community-based, others huge and part of national or international tours. I ran an art gallery in Auckland before taking the Hamilton job. I like combining arts with business, finding new opportunities, and it’s exciting to be part of the drive to grow the arts in Hamilton."

Future Plans:
Megan is planning ways to bring more edgy, fringe theatre to the city and is also part of a push to make more use of outdoor stadia for city events.

Mark Ryan, BBA(Fin)
Student
Waikato Management School

Background:
While his skatey mates were looking for stairs to kick-flip, Mark Ryan was watching movies and reading books about investment and the stock markets. Then he started to buy shares and watch his money grow. "I liked the risk, the adrenalin rush I got playing the markets." And when he saw a new degree that homed in on the business of finance, Mark was literally first in the queue to enrol.

Currently...
"I like the fact the degree is three years and directly covers what I need to learn for financial analysis, and covers it in depth. It means that when I graduate I’ll have choices about where I can work, in a major corporate, a bank, the stock exchange and, ultimately, I’d like to be a private investor."

Mark Westerby, BCS
Director
New Zealand Fringe Festival

Background:
Mark Westerby is an all rounder in the arts world. He’s an actor, singer, producer and currently director of the New Zealand Fringe Festival.

Currently...
It’s Mark’s job to organise the annual festival, to find and coordinate a variety of acts that encompass all areas of the arts including theatre, visual arts and new media.

"It can be a springboard for new and emerging artists – the Conchords started at the Fringe – so we tend to be a bit of an engine room for fresh talent."

Since graduating with his BCS, Mark has worked as a project/production manager at London and Australian Fashion Weeks, the Tropfest Short Film Festival, Sydney Film Festival, as a film producer and most recently, as a performer at Madame Tussauds in London.

In Wellington, where he’s now based, he gets to help promote new talent, and continues to develop his own interests in theatre, film and music.

"Every day is completely different. I enjoy the variety and creativity of this industry."

Aaron Clarke, BCGD
Designer
Juice TV

Currently...
Aaron Clarke walked out of university and into television. Aaron is the music channel’s only full-time designer, spending his days creating motion graphics for television commercials, promotions and programmes, and creating static images for the channel’s printed promotional material.

"I’ve got creative freedom which is great. We’re a small operation, only ten full-time staff and a handful of part-timers, so I get to do all aspects of design.

"I chose to work in television because motion graphics makes sense to me as when I have ideas I nearly always see them moving and TV is a good way to express those ideas, plus it’s a cool industry."

Shevaun Ryan, BCMS(Hons)
IT Developer
Ministry of Social Development

Currently...
A love for computer programming and maths sees Shevaun Ryan sitting pretty in the windy city. She’s writing software by day and enjoying Wellington by night. Shevaun is a junior developer with the IT Applications team for the Ministry of Social Development. With a $16 billion budget, the ministry provides income and employment support to more than a million New Zealanders. It takes care of student loans, superannuation, pensions and community services cards.

"I work on different in-house projects and on larger public ones too. I worked on developing the web application for SuperGold Card and helped write the software for the online National Directory for Family and Community Services."

Future Plans:
"When I started doing computer programming at high school, I knew I wanted to take it further. Now I have great opportunities to gain experience and promotion within the ministry right up to solution architect, and who knows what my IT future will hold after that?"

Scott Bartlett, BECom
CEO
Orcon Internet

Currently...
Orcon Internet is New Zealand’s fastest growing and fourth biggest internet service provider and telecommunications company. Scott Bartlett leads a staff of more than 120 in a business that’s growing at 10 to 12 per cent a month. He was just 27 when he became chief executive.

Always up for a challenge, Scott lobbied for local loop unbundling (LLU), and is now leading the company through its next growth phase; investing in an LLU network roll-out, pushing to become the third player in the profitable mobile market and launching new voice, broadband and entertainment services.

"I’ve taken my university learning with me for sure – concepts of leadership, entrepreneurship and strategic thinking. That’s what you need in this job, plus organisational behaviour and strategic management skills."

Greg van Eyk, BE
Technical Graduate
Fonterra Co-operative Group

Currently...
Fonterra is paying Greg van Eyk to work and learn. He’s one of eight technical graduates on the giant dairy company’s Graduate Technical Programme who are getting to know the business inside out. Successful completion of all parts of the programme leads to a Master of Dairy Science and Technology degree.

"I get to play with plant equipment and work on improving the processes, see how different products are made and tackle various problems that might arise during production. I’ve spent time in four different factories learning about cheese, cream, protein products and milk powders."

"You study maths and science at school and wonder where it’ll take you. I grew up on a farm and feel comfortable in the dairy environment using my technical skills. Biochemical engineering’s an interesting subject because it encompasses so many different engineering and scientific processes, like mass and heat transfer, biology, chemistry, industrial manufacturing, fermentation, design, enzyme systems and whole processing plants."

Richard Annandale, LLB(Hons)/BA

Background:
Richard Annandale had always been interested, in law but it wasn’t until he went to the University of Waikato that he realised he wanted to study and practise law.

Experience as a Waikato Student:
"My time at Waikato University Law School provided me with the necessary skills to hit the ground running when I began working in private practice at Norris Ward McKinnon," Richard says. "The Waikato degree is unique in that it provided me both a theoretical and practical understanding of the law, through mooting, client interviewing and negotiation assessments. Many employers throughout the legal profession recognise the uniqueness of the Waikato degree."

Currently...
Richard says his biggest ongoing challenge is the study and practise of law itself. "As law is constantly evolving with new laws being passed by parliament and interpretations being declared by the court, it is important to stay up with the play! Keeping up with the law is what makes law exciting and ensures that no-one day at work will ever be the same!"

On any given day, Richard may have an appearance in the High Court at Hamilton, give advice on a contract issue, urgently complete research and a letter of advice for a client, meet new clients about an employment issue and finally, play business house hockey for Norris Ward McKinnon.

Byron Harris, BMS(Hons)
Procter & Gamble, Auckland

Experience as a Waikato Student:
In his final year of the BMS at Waikato, Byron Harris did a "499", a practical paper that takes students into an organisation to do a specific project where they put what they’ve learnt at uni into practice. “I did an economic impact report for the Soundsplash organisers and got free tickets and VIP treatment at the festival. I’ve also been asked back to Raglan to do a market research report for them.” He’ll do it if he has time.

Byron can thank the strength and flexibility of his BMS for taking him into the heart of Raglan’s Soundsplash Festival and on to a position with Fortune 500 company Procter & Gamble.

Currently...
Byron has a marketing position with giant multinational Procter & Gamble, one of only two applicants selected. "I was able to argue that my four-year BMS was a stronger degree than those from other places. I could talk about my experience in a wide range of management subjects as well as my specialty areas of economics and marketing."

Jaime Perry, BMPD, Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary)
Teacher
Peachgrove Intermediate

Currently...
Five days a week Jaime Perry leaves her two young children in the competent care of others to take charge of 30 ten and eleven-year-olds.

One year into her teaching job and Jaime is loving it. "I love the interaction and the stage of development that the students are at. Children go through some big changes during their intermediate years and it’s a privilege helping them to cope as they prepare for high school. They’re also at an age where you can have a really good laugh together.

"I think having previously worked in business, having a degree and now a teaching diploma has equipped me well to deal with all those unexpected situations that crop up any time, anywhere during the school day."

Julia Booth, BMus(Hons)
Singer

Experience as a Waikato Student:
Sir Edmund Hillary Scholar Julia Booth is singing her way to success. As a PwC Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist and New Zealand Aria Competition winner in 2008, the talented soprano is getting right inside New Zealand opera, playing small roles in big productions, learning major roles through understudying and shadow covering, and working with international conductors and artists. "It’s a brilliant way to learn."

Currently...
She also gets to sing with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in front of hundreds of thousands of people at the SKYCITY Starlight Symphony, attend The New Zealand Opera School and take on other solo spots whenever she can. And she’s no one-talent woman either. "I toured internationally with the Langley Ukulele Ensemble for seven years but since leaving Canada, I’ve barely touched it! One year into my music degree, my passion for singing took over."

Jeroen Brijs, BSc
Advanced Research Technician
University of Waikato

Background:
Spending his spare time in the water and at the beach, Jeroen Brijs has a natural passion for freshwater and marine ecosystems.

Experience as a Waikato Student:
With a Biological Sciences major, Jeroen focused on freshwater and marine biology. He was able to satisfy his curiosity about how these ecosystems work and how we can help protect them, keeping them the way they are now.

Currently...
Jeroen now works at the University of Waikato as an Advanced Research Technician, helping with research on understanding the biology of pest fish in New Zealand. Knowledge gathered from the research is then used to develop new tools and technologies for early detection of pest fish incursions, and to control existing pest fish populations.

"What I do changes day to day. There’s a lot of variation in my job, which means I am learning a lot of new and exciting things” says Jeroen, "I’ve also got to meet heaps of different people, and have been boat electrofishing in a number of different places, such as the Waikato River, Whangamarino Wetland and Waitakere City, which has been a highlight."

Ben Pocock, BSc(Tech)
Senior Keeper and Team Leader
Wellington Zoo

Currently...
Ben Pocock knows all about the mating habits of peccaries. He’s also an expert on the eating habits of pandas. At Wellington Zoo, all the keepers have their "own" animals to monitor for health and behaviour.

Ben also works with New Zealand and overseas wildlife parks and sanctuaries on conservation projects, such as freeing the Malaysian sun bears, monitoring the kaka at Karori Wildlife Sanctuary and kereru tagging projects.

"I like being part of this great big network all working on conservation and education. Being at the zoo, I get to work with animals I’d have to travel to remote parts of the world to study. I’m an advocate for animals in the wild, but I also value the part zoos play in educating the public and in preserving endangered species."

Ben King, BSocSc(Hons)
Trade Specialist
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Currently...
Ben King sees the world with his job. A trade specialist for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), he contributes to advice to ministers about New Zealand’s foreign and trade policies. Ben has put his political science major to good use, working as press secretary for the Minister for International Trade, a trade negotiator, on the ministry’s US Trade Desk, and as Deputy Head of Mission at the New Zealand Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He then spent 18 months at the Trade Negotiations Division of MFAT, before he went to the New Zealand Embassy in Washington.

"I didn’t have a career mapped out when I completed my degree, but a year as Waikato student president gave me a taste for policy issues and I’ve since found myself working in the thick of it. My job helps ensure New Zealand gets the best deals it can in foreign markets. Sounds simple enough but it can get complicated and it’s certainly interesting."

Kim Mitchell, BSW
Student

Experience as a Waikato Student:
After completing the Certificate of Social Services at the Polytechnic, Kim decided social work was her calling.

"Waikato University offers a lot of guidance and help, I have met some amazing, inspiring lecturers and guest speakers. I have also had opportunities that I would not have been able to experience if I had not enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work."

Currently...
Kim Mitchell is on her way to completing her BSW degree, a new degree offered in Tauranga at the University of Waikato in partnership with the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.

Future Plans:
Kim eventually wants a career in social work, working with youth or people with disabilities.

Achievements:
In 2008 she was awarded the Bay of Plenty Alumni Adult Learners Scholarship award, and received $1000 which she put towards text books, child care and travel costs for 2009.

Irene Ground, BSpLS
Healthy Communities Coordinator
Waikato Primary Health

Currently...
Irene Ground gets people moving. She helps them make a significant lifestyle changes to improve their quality of life.

"My role is to recruit, train and retain local volunteers as community health coaches to deliver programmes to the community. Most of our programmes are about getting the community started on the journey to wellness, but it is up to them - kei a koe - only they can make the change to make the difference. We are currently running Get Walking, Get Cooking, Get Gardening, Get Moving classes."

"Helping people make small changes can make a big difference to their day-to-day living, and that’s what makes my job so rewarding."

Andrew Peart, BTchg(Primary)
Teacher

Currently...
From building houses to building a love of learning – Andrew Peart has no regrets about his recent career change.

The Hamilton primary school teacher says his career is very rewarding. "No two days are the same, actually no two minutes are the same. I have learned so much and as long as I stay teaching I will not stop learning. I love that fact that with teaching, when the students are switched on, there are 28 pairs of eyes that look up to you with a spark that makes anything seem possible."

He says he left university inspired to make a difference in children’s lives but he has found it works both ways. "Teachers can leave fingerprints on the lives of the students they teach and likewise, students can leave fingerprints on the hearts of their teachers."

Simone de Jong, BTour
Communications and Marketing
Hamilton City Council

Currently...
Simone de Jong knows every event in Hamilton, right down to the tiniest detail. She helps co-ordinate and implement large-scale events for Hamilton City Council, including Hamilton 400 V8s, Balloons over Waikato, Repco Rally New Zealand and Hamilton Gardens Summer Festival. Tourism is constantly evolving in Hamilton, a city where is tourism is booming.

One thing is sure, no two days are the same for Simone. One day she is assisting with brand recognition at an event Hamilton city has sponsored, and the next she is hosting VIPs at a national event such as the V8s.

"Hamilton is attracting tourists through hosting hallmark events and conferences – Events like the V8s are putting Hamilton on the map worldwide" she says.

"Visitor numbers keep growing and we make Hamilton an attractive area to host these types of world-class events. In return, our visitor numbers rise and we create more employment opportunities and income for local businesses.

At the same time we also need to be aware of tourism’s negative impacts such as its effect on the environment. Therefore we also run campaigns such as "greening the V8s" where we try to get as many people to bus, bike or walk in the city when events are on."

Simone also markets the Hamilton brand to New Zealand, through various methods including working with key council services and facilities to implement and co-ordinate marketing plans.

Akinisi Nabalarua, LLB/BMS
Student
Waikato University

Experience as a Waikato Student:
Studying for a conjoint degree in Law and Management suited Akinisi Nabalarua’s interests and both degrees complemented each other. In her final year of an LLB/BMS, Akinisi says that the two qualifications will give her more options in the future. Both degrees have also offered her a range of opportunities while she has been a student, particularly with the practical work and the competitions that have been available.

Akinisi has majored in Strategic Management in her BMS and her compulsory ‘499’ report will be about strategies for sustainability in the business environment, which fits well alongside her commercial and environmental law papers.

Akinisi represented Waikato University in the Witness Examination competition at the Australian Law Students’ Association Conference in June 2008. Shortly after that she left on a student exchange programme to the University of Ghent in Belgium where the law papers she studied have been credited to her degree at Waikato University.

Akinisi has also been a mentor for students in the Waikato Management School. While her studies for her conjoint degrees have kept her very busy, Akinisi has been involved in University life including being on the committee of the Pacific Island Law Students’ Association and being a student ambassador visiting secondary schools.