Sarah Harrison

A student internship proved to be the perfect stepping stone to her first job for Bachelor of Business graduate Sarah Harrison (NZ European and Māori).

In the final year of her BBus degree, she completed an internship with Deloitte’s technology and transformation business unit — an experience that gave her valuable real-world insight.

“I learned so much from the work I was doing and the people around me,” she says. “It really helped me connect the dots between what I’d learned in class and how that knowledge is applied in practice.”

Sarah was then offered an exciting opportunity with Deloitte in Auckland as a graduate analyst. She now supports a team that helps clients tackle a wide range of complex business challenges through research, data analysis and problem-solving. “This involves engaging in client meetings, presenting findings, mapping processes, gathering requirements, and collaborating with senior team members to develop solutions and proposals," she says.

"I enjoy being challenged, pushed to think further, and surrounded by excellence. It’s really satisfying to see the impact that our work delivers for organisations across New Zealand.”

Sarah chose to study at Waikato because she liked the broad nature of the Bachelor of Business degree, which offered diverse career possibilities. She decided to major in Supply Chain Management for its practicality and relevance.

“Supply chain underpins almost every industry and is so important, but often underrated,” she explains. “I’ve always liked understanding how organisations work behind the scenes, and supply chain is really about that but can range from a local to global scale.”

Looking back, she credits her lecturers at Waikato for making classes so engaging and enjoyable. “They were so creative and passionate; I was struck by how much they cared about their students and the subject matter.”

Sarah also received a $25,000 Te Paewai o Te Rangi Scholarship, awarded to top academic achievers who show leadership qualities. "This was an incredible opportunity, and I appreciated how Te Ao Māori was integrated into the curriculum.”

And she jumped at the chance to study for three months at the University of Ottawa, Canada - supported by a $2,000 WMS Overseas Exchange Scholarship - with 60 points of papers credited back to her Waikato business degree.

Sarah believes her BBus degree equipped her with both the knowledge and soft skills essential for business, and she draws on them every single day. “It’s about being able to communicate well, working in a team to accomplish a common goal, and having the confidence to back yourself.”

Her advice for future students? “You get out what you put in. There’s a wealth of opportunities at Waikato; peers to learn from and lecturers who will invest in you. Don’t be afraid to give everything a go and be comfortable with being uncomfortable, because that’s how you grow.”

Her long-term goal is simple: “I would like to have an impactful job with a purpose that aligns with my values.”