2010 Student Profile

Nothing feels more satisfying for Kim Mitchell than knowing she's establishing an exciting future for herself and setting a good example for her children. 

Kim was busy raising her children and helping her husband manage their small plumbing business, but wanted a new challenge in life.  She decided to further her education and completed a Certificate of Social Services at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.  She soon discovered that social work was her calling so enrolled in Waikato University's new Bachelor of Social Work degree taught in partnership with the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic. 

"On my first day of University I felt nervous and out of place because of my age.  I thought that all uni students were young and smart, but to my benefit there was a mix of young and older people; mothers, fathers, all with different life experiences."

Not only has she met amazing people, she has developed her learning skills and grown more confident in her abilities.  In 2008 she was awarded the Bay of Plenty Alumni Adult Learners Scholarship award, and received $1000 which she has put towards, text books, child care and travel costs for this year.

Kim is now completing level 3 and 4 papers of her social work degree and is looking forward to her work placement later in the year. "It will give me the opportunity to see what it will really be like out there in the social services world", she says.

"I feel that I am setting a legacy for my children.  They see me going to university every day and think 'when I grow up I want to go to university too'.  I want to inspire them to be whoever they want to be.  They think that it is so cool that mum goes to school."