Jett Groshinski
Ngāti KahuBachelor of Arts and Commerce (Finance; Philosophy, Politics and Economics)
Studying for a Bachelor of Arts and Commerce will give me the necessary experience to make the world a better place. I've had a passion for politics from a young age, and that sparked an interest in philosophy and how the economy works, which directly relates to finance. I believe that understanding these four disciplines will help me succeed in what I choose to do.
My career aspirations include working for local or central government and trying to make meaningful change within the system. I also like the idea of working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
I've enjoyed all my majors but especially love how interactive my Politics paper has been. I feel like you can tell when lecturers are passionate about their work – it's inspiring, and my Finance lecturers have made all the papers fascinating. All of my lecturers have been helpful and it's fun getting to know them during office hours where you hear their life stories.
Amber Harrison
Bachelor of Commerce and Science (Marketing and Microbiology)
I had a passion for both business and the sciences at high school, and when it came to choosing one career path, I just couldn't do it. I thought it was too early in my studies to neglect either area, so when I saw that Otago offered the opportunity to explore both my passions, I was sold.
I believe everything is very interconnected, so to me, Marketing and Microbiology link together really well and do not stand alone, as many people might see them.
Otago's combined degrees offer so many possibilities, and I think that graduating with two majors will broaden my career opportunities. I'm not 100 per cent sure what my future after study will look like, but I've found the marketing industry interesting. I've learned a lot about its influence in business, so I would definitely love to pursue a career in marketing. After finishing my first year, I also added a new minor in Entrepreneurship because I think it will be beneficial to have the skills to start something on my own one day.
Annie Leen
Bachelor of Arts and Science (History and Neuroscience)
I'd planned to study Neuroscience at university for quite a while. And I also really loved Year 13 History, so I knew I would love to continue with that. When I came across Otago's BASc programme, I was excited that I wouldn't have to choose between my two passions.
This degree meant that I could take all the papers that interested me, and, like most BASc students, my degree combination is quite unique. Although my majors seem like opposites, they connect because they both aim to understand human behaviour. I enjoy approaching questions about humanity from the different perspectives of science and biology and society and culture.
This degree will give me a wide-ranging education, and I hope to carry on and do neuroscience research. I would also love to work in science and history communication, and my Arts major will allow me to improve my writing skills so I can do this.
Tom Mottershead
Bachelor of Arts and Science (Maths and Music)
In Tom Mottershead's first year at Otago he was able to study his twin passions of music and maths, but he was limited to majoring in only one for an arts or science degree.
But then Otago developed the Bachelor of Arts and Science degree (BASc) to allow students with diverse interests to combine both disciplines.
“I'd always been interested in music in a big way but I was also good at maths and wanted to major in that too,” says Tom.
“When the BASc came up it was ideal and it all worked out perfectly for me. I didn't need to change anything in the courses I was doing but just take the papers I wanted to take anyway for a double major in four years.
I didn't need to change anything in the courses I was doing but just take the papers I wanted to take anyway for a double major in four years.
”Lecturers were great and really responsive with answering questions and all the libraries were really good. There's a good variety of places to study.”
Tom spent two years at a residential college and took part in a number of student-run social events, including poker tournaments where “maths came in handy with having an understanding of probability.”
He also won awards for his studies in maths and in music composition.
After graduating Tom joined an online learning platform offering alternatives to textbooks for schools but is keeping his options open.
“I'm still considering teaching, which would allow me to continue with both music and maths, but I'm also still making music.
“I've done a couple of music video projects that I really enjoyed creating and that have been well received on social media. I'm also pursuing an interest in gospel music production. Maybe it'll take off. Let's see how things develop.”
Tom follows his own advice. “Find out for yourself what your values, skills, gifts and passions are. Go with what you find enjoyable over what you might be expected to do.”