Why did you decide to study Digital Product Design?
In high school, I really enjoyed computer science and have always been the go-to tech person. However, I didn’t want to limit myself to just the logical side of things. There’s a great support network at UC, so I met with different heads of departments to learn about other degrees.
Digital Product Design seemed quite fun because it’s technical but also creative, and Mark Rickerby – the lecturer that runs it – is very hands on and open to collaborating with students.
What would you like to do after graduating?
With this degree, I’ll be able to work in technical roles as well as creative roles. Having both of those skillsets opens up lots of job opportunities. A role that combines the two would be fantastic. The degree is 100% preparing me well for both sides of that work, so I feel like I've made the right choice.
What do you enjoy most about your studies?
I love that the design courses are so collaborative. There’s a lot of group project work that is preparing me to work with other people the way you need to in a real job. In my computer science courses, I'm learning skills and applying those skills immediately through hands-on, practical work.
What are your lecturers like?
It’s easy to build personal, one-on-one relationships with them, which really enhances the experience you get at UC. They're always reachable and wanting to help, which makes it easier to be an engaged student.
One of my favourites is Jenny Harlow, a math lecturer. She's very hands-on because she doesn't want anyone to fail the course, so she provides support to anyone that needs it.
How do you find UC’s student community?
Everyone's friendly. It's a really inclusive environment, so it’s been easy to connect with people and make friends not only within my degree, but also through clubs and other activities. You can easily find your people here. I don't think there's any other university that has this sort of social life on campus, and it really does bring everyone together.
Why did you choose UC?
There was more on offer here, and I knew other people that have been to UC and said the support is really good.
Open Day was a great opportunity to tour campus and speak to people, and it’s so easy to contact people and ask questions.
Being able to stay here in Christchurch near my family and friends was also a big plus.
What do you like most about the UC student experience?
The funding for clubs is great and the UCSA hosts so many amazing events. They've really built one of the best student life experiences, even for people that live at home like I do. It really brings everyone together as a community instead of just turning up to class and going home.
Are you involved with any clubs?
CompSoc and UC Gaming Guild (UCGG) put on awesome events. CompSoc recently had a cybersecurity expert come talk to us about his personal experiences working in the industry. And UCGG have something on every week, which is fantastic. They always bring a lot of people together to have a yarn and do things like celebrate the end of terms.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I really like mountain biking. The Port Hills and McLean’s Island are great. I also love biking through the city; it’s easy to commute with so many dedicated bike lanes.
I go hiking occasionally; you can always find a new track. My favourite is up in the hills near Sugarloaf. I also have a lot of techie hobbies when I’m not out catching up with friends.
Any advice for students considering UC?
Visit campus and take a tour. Reach out to lecturers and ask them about their courses; they gave me great information and advice. Speak to current students – you can chat with UC students online and ask about courses, student life, or anything. I wish I’d done that more!
Would you recommend UC?
Definitely. The support systems and the interactions I have with my lecturers and tutors are great. And the course content is good as well. That’s the main thing; you could rave on about other stuff, but if you're not learning the right information for the future, what's the point? The way lecturers approach important things like AI in their courses is fantastic. UC’s academics definitely have their finger on the pulse.
Sum up your UC experience in three words.
Growth. Fun. Community.
