Evelyn Barber

Studying for a Bachelor of Business has sparked Evelyn Barber’s passion for sustainability policy, and inspired her to pursue a master’s in economics.

Originally from Wellington, Evelyn chose the University of Waikato for its highly ranked economics department, beautiful campus, and friendly atmosphere.

“The campus is so green and stunning, and I love that everything’s in one place. There’s such a fun, welcoming vibe — whether you’re studying in The Pā or relaxing on the Village Green.”

Evelyn says the Bachelor of Business has a great reputation and is “good fun,” offering a broad foundation in the first year across diverse areas like accounting, finance and marketing.

“I had no idea there were so many branches of business until I started! The BBus degree gives you an incredible mix of practical skills and real-world experience, and you’re supported every step of the way.”

She loved the flexibility to major in economics while taking minors in French and international relations – a perfect fit for her interests in social studies, writing, and languages.

“Economics teaches you so much about the wider world. It teaches you to how to think critically about real-world issues, understand how people make decisions, and seek solutions to help the economy grow sustainably.”

Waikato’s economics lecturers were a major highlight. “They’re so knowledgeable, kind and supportive. Smaller class sizes meant we got to know them well, which made it easy to ask questions and have in-depth discussions.”

Evelyn also valued the practical learning experiences, such as field trips and networking events. “In my supply chain paper we visited an American logistics company at Ruakura Inland Port — it was so cool seeing where our degree could take us in our future career,” she says.

Working on group projects with other students helped her develop key skills in data analysis, report writing, communication and teamwork. “They really helped with my confidence — especially presenting findings and leading discussions,” she says.

A standout of her degree was the Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) internship. Evelyn spent six weeks in Wellington as a research assistant at the Salvation Army’s Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit, gathering and analysing data for their State of the Nation report.

“I even visited Parliament and got to discuss issues with MPs,” she says. “It definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone but was so empowering, helping an organisation drive change in the wider community."

Looking ahead, Evelyn hopes to become a senior policy analyst, helping the New Zealand government make decisions on issues such as climate change, sustainability, and wellbeing. “I’m especially interested in how policies influence behaviour - such as encouraging consumers and firms to make more environmentally sustainable choices.”

With her drive to make a difference, Evelyn is excited to see where her journey will take her next after completing her Master of Business degree.