Ellyse Bowen

She was then offered a full-time role as a student marketing advisor.

“The thing I enjoy most about working here is the people. We have a great bunch of friendly but hard-working staff in marketing and communications, which makes it a fun place to come to every day.”

Before starting university, Ellyse worked at a wedding venue in Matangi and intended to become a wedding planner herself. But after encountering a few bridezillas, she decided it might be too stressful.

“Maybe once I’ve had a bit of work experience I might reconsider!”

Ellyse wasn’t sure what she wanted to study, but after speaking to her careers counsellor at school and reading the Undergraduate Prospectus cover-to-cover, the Bachelor of Communication Studies degree sounded like her.

The Hamiltonian insists she didn’t just come here out of convenience. “My brother was already here studying engineering and he liked it. Plus the reputation of Waikato Management School and the success of its grads made it a no-brainer.”

Ellyse says it felt good to graduate, putting the cap on three years’ hard work. “And what better way to do it than surrounded by people who I work with!”