Dylan Wilson

Why did you choose to study at Waikato?

I’ve always known that I wanted to do a management degree at Waikato, because it suits my personality so well. I really enjoy talking to people and trying to solve problems.

I grew up in Nelson and Auckland, and then went to Hamilton Boys’ High School for my last year of school, where I studied economics and accounting.

I was considering going to university in Auckland, but I’d heard really good things about the four-year Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours degree here in Hamilton; that it was well regarded by employers and includes a practical work internship; so that had a big influence on my decision.

What did you enjoy most about your BMS(Hons) degree?

A big bonus of this degree is that you get a taste of everything in first year, because initially I didn’t know much about strategic management or supply chain.

All of the tutors and lecturers at Waikato Uni are quite approachable, so you can talk to them and a lot of feedback, which I don’t think you’d get at a bigger university.

Another advantage of the BMS(Hons) degree is that you get to take part in the Waikato Management School Case Competition, which is an awesome experience. My team made the finals, so we got to pitch our business strategy for Xero to a panel of external judges in front of a live audience, and ended up winning the whole competition!

The first-year Marketing Trade Show was a really good experience as well. You have to think of a new product and then create a whole marketing strategy for it, so it’s putting ideas into practice in the real world.

Another highlight of my degree was completing a summer internship at ANZ in Auckland, working in their retail banking team with products such as home loans and term deposits. It was a really enjoyable experience, and I’m excited to be starting a graduate role with ANZ’s wealth team next year.

I wanted to do the honours programme because the papers are at a higher level; they’re more reflective and discussion-based, and we look at a lot of real-world issues, so it has provided me with a really interesting learning experience.

What was your overseas exchange experience like?

Earlier this year I went on an overseas exchange to study at National Chengchi University in Taiwan for several months. I absolutely loved it; it was such a contrast to New Zealand.

Living in a different country was completely out of my comfort zone, but it’s pushed me further by having to overcome a challenge and practise my Mandarin.

I really want to pursue a career working in Asia in the future, so having that kind of experience in Taiwan has been really beneficial.