2006 Student Profile

From skinning eels to acing assignments, studying at Waikato University has changed John Armstrong's life.

At the age of 30, John embarked on tertiary study, following the advice of lecturers who told him to study what he enjoyed. He found that enjoyment in History and Political Science.

"I like the way that History challenges your thinking. It's all about a series of stories and the historian's job is to question those stories to see if they match up with the experience of a generation. I find that really empowering."

Before studying at University, John worked in an eel factory, acquired his golf course apprenticeship, and made cane furniture. He didn't have a career as such, and still doesn't have one in mind but he knows that the skills and knowledge he has gained throughout his Bachelor of Social Science will open many doors in terms of employment opportunities.

"I've taken papers that appealed to me, and I was also told that if I study what I enjoy then I'll end up working somewhere that I enjoy. At the moment I'm learning skills that I can apply to elsewhere in my life, such as the painting I do as well."

"Studying at University is life changing. You hear of people changing their mind and University makes that happen. It changes the way you think. It's incredibly valuable."