Alyssa
Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability majoring in Sustainable Business, Enterprise, and Economics
Hometown: Ashburton
What inspired you to choose Social and Environmental Sustainability at UC?
I've always had a massive passion and deep care for the environment. My family is big into nature and I grew up around the water. I wanted to use my career to make an impact, and I thought this degree would be perfect for that.
The third-year internship really stood out for the opportunity to get some real-world experience. The degree’s interdisciplinary approach combines different courses through different schools, which lets you look at sustainability in all these different ways, from scientific and indigenous perspectives to philosophical perspectives and more.
How has that helped shape your career aspirations?
You usually hear about sustainability from a single perspective, but they actually integrate so that you can use all of them to achieve a common goal. It’s opened my eyes and a lot of doors for potential career paths. I want to make the biggest impact in business and get people to think about things in a more circular motion with reusing and recycling.
What was your favourite hands-on experience?
During one field trip we had a noho marae, where we heard from entrepreneurs about supply chains and sustainable business. We also went around Christchurch seeing everything people are doing for sustainability. My biggest takeaway was realising there are people doing things right here in my community. It was very inspirational.
What are your classmates and lecturers like?
It's a relatively small cohort, so we’ve all grown quite close.
The lecturers are amazing. They’re so professional, they've got so many achievements in their fields, and they really care about teaching and inspiring us.
It’s been easy to connect with everyone because we all have the same passion for the environment, and we're all doing this degree for the same reason. It's not just a way to make a career; it's a way to make a change.
How has receiving a scholarship benefitted you?
Getting a scholarship has made my first year a lot easier. The financial support is very helpful, but many UC scholarships come with so much more, like career workshops and events to connect with peers. There's even a mentorship programme through my specific scholarship, and I ended up being connected with someone from Environmental Science Research.
What do you like most about UC?
It has such a modern campus. Everything's close together. There’s so much extra assistance, and it feels like the university genuinely cares about you and your education.
I’d heard so many good things about the student life, which have all turned out to be true. The culture is very lively. Everybody is open minded and willing to try new things. It's really easy to make friends and there’s always something going on.
Have you joined any clubs?
UC has a great club culture. There's honestly something for everyone. I joined EnviroSoc and have gone to everything from their events to study nights, which are really helpful. I also joined CUBA because I love surfing, and they have really cool events like midnight surfing.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love spending time at the beach, which has played a big part in my passion for the environment. I started surfing in year nine, and living in Christchurch has made it a lot easier to surf whenever I want. The breaks at Sumner are tight. It’s great surf. You'll see so many students out there on a hot day.
What do you like most about being a student in Christchurch?
It has such a range of things to do. You'd never get bored in Christchurch. It's got the city, shopping, nightlife, surfing, mountain biking. And it's such a beautiful place to study. Christchurch is also full of nature. It's a great reminder of what I'm studying for and what I'm trying to protect.
Did you live in a hall your first year?
Yes! It was an awesome experience. There’s always someone to hang out with or ask for help. I was a cultural leader for my hall, which meant I took care of cultural events and performances. It was another great way to get involved and meet more people.
Do you do any extracurricular activities related to sustainability?
I run a sustainability blog in my own time. It’s a lot of fun because it’s something I really care about, and it ties in well with my studies because there have been things I’ve learned that have sparked ideas for the blog.
Learning about sustainability at UC creates all these new ideas and thoughts that I’m excited to share.
How have you seen yourself grow since you started at UC?
My UC journey has changed me for the better. I've gained a new sense of confidence in myself and my abilities. I know that I am capable of following my heart and that this is the right path for me.
