Kate Burnham

Starting her university experience at the Hamilton campus, Kate Burnham quickly found her place in a vibrant and supportive community.

Living in the halls in her first year, she built lasting friendships and immersed herself in a student experience she describes as full of energy, opportunity and connection.

Drawn to Waikato for its internationally recognised management school and public relations programme, Kate enrolled in a Bachelor of Communication, majoring in Public Relations and minoring in Marketing.

The public relations programme at Waikato was the first in Australia and New Zealand to be certified by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) – the gold standard for PR education.

While Kate wasn’t certain of her exact career path at the start, the degree’s flexibility allowed her to explore different areas and discover her strengths. “I loved that communications gave me such a broad skillset,” she says. “It meant I wasn’t limited to just one pathway.”

Beginning her studies in Hamilton, she later embraced the flexibility of the degree, taking some of her papers online and at the Tauranga campus, while travelling back for key tutorials and collaborative sessions.

“That flexibility was a huge advantage,” she says. “I could stay connected to campus while also being based in Tauranga.”

Kate particularly valued the hands-on nature of her studies, working on real-world case studies and solving current industry challenges. “We were developing practical skills in realistic contexts, which made everything feel relevant and engaging,” she says.

She also credits her lecturers for creating a supportive learning environment. “They were incredibly passionate and generous with their knowledge. It made you feel confident to ask questions and really push yourself.”

Through the work-integrated learning (WIL) paper, Kate secured an internship with MediaWorks, where she gained experience in marketing, promotions and live broadcasting. From working on major campaigns like The Rock 2000 to hearing her voice on air, the experience helped bring her learning to life.

She was also a finalist in the PUBRL305 PR Campaigns Competition, working as part of a team on a real client brief. The experience strengthened her practical skills and helped her secure her first role.

Now working as a PR consultant, Kate is applying her skills in strategic communications, campaign planning and client advisory. “It’s so rewarding to take an idea and see it come to life,” she says.

Her advice to future students: “Put yourself out there, step outside your comfort zone, and enjoy the experience. That’s where the real growth happens.”