Tom Leslie

When Tom Leslie decided to pursue a Bachelor of Business at the University of Waikato, he already had hands-on experience in the world of work.

“My family runs a logging business in Whangārei, and when I left high school I started my own labour contracting business,” says Tom. “Then I went overseas and lived in the United States for a year before deciding that I wanted to study business.”

“It opens the door to so many different career options, so you’re not confined to one specific job.”

He liked how the first year of the BBus degree gives students a taste of different subject areas before choosing their majors. One of the good things about all the group projects is they give you opportunities to meet new people.”

Tom chose to major in Accounting, complemented by a minor in Chinese.

“I wasn’t 100% set on accounting until I came to university, but I think it’s a really useful skillset to have in any business role. Eventually, I’d like to do my own thing and start my own business,” he explains.

“One of my favourite papers was Economics 101 because the lecturer is so engaging. He gets you thinking about real-world problems you’ll come across in life, which economics can help us understand and solve.”

Tom says he enjoyed the friendly and relaxed atmosphere on the Hamilton campus. “There’s a really good vibe at Waikato – it’s not as hectic as being in a big city like Auckland, and the rent prices are more affordable."

He also wanted to stand out from other graduates by learning a new language and gaining international insight.

“Learning Chinese felt like a smart move to position myself for where the future of global markets are heading. It’s not just about the language—it’s about understanding another culture and how business is done there.”

Through the Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence (CAPE), Tom joined a two-week study tour to Beijing, where he attended Chinese language classes at Peking University and visited the Great Wall of China.

“It was an incredible experience and gave me a whole new perspective on global business.”

Now working as a Private Enterprise Advisor at KPMG in Hamilton, Tom says his Waikato degree gave him a strong foundation for his professional journey – particularly the WIL internship paper.

“I’d recommend Waikato’s Bachelor of Business to anyone who’s interested in coming here. It gives you the skills, confidence, and experience to succeed in the workforce. And that’s a real plus of studying at Waikato Management School.”