New Zealand representative for duathlons and triathlons, Grayson Westgate will graduate this Saturday a qualified pharmacist from the University of Otago.
When Grayson Westgate walks across the stage at his graduation this Saturday, it won’t be the first finish line he’s crossed during his time at Otago.
The Dunedin-born tauira, who will graduate as a qualified pharmacist after four years of study at the He Rau Kawakawa School of Pharmacy, knows first-hand that achieving good things takes time.
As well as the marathon of work and time put into achieving his degree, Grayson is also a New Zealand representative for duathlons and triathlons.
He first took to the sporting world at a young age where he competed in national swimming events. At 16-years-old, running caught his attention and led him to the natural marriage of both sports in duathlons and triathlons.
“Whether it’s communicating with patients and learning how to handle challenging situations in the workplace, or training for the next competition, it all comes down to practice, practice and more practice.” – Grayson Westgate
Grayson is incredibly grateful for the opportunities his sporting career has provided him, he says.
He’s travelled all over New Zealand and the world, including Australia, Japan and Abu Dhabi.
Most recently he claimed silver alongside teammates Phoebe Carter, Amara Rae and James Corbett in the Mixed Relay competition at the Asia Triathlon Cup in Gamagōri, Japan, in September.
His team finished only three seconds short of the Hong Kong team, making it a close competition till the last moment.
Grayson attributes the success of both his sporting and academic endeavours to one mantra – practice, practice, practice.
“What’s worked for me is a dedication to practicing,” Grayson says.
“Whether it’s communicating with patients and learning how to handle challenging situations in the workplace, or training for the next competition, it all comes down to practice, practice and more practice.”
As a student, Grayson had an interest in pursuing a career in the School of Physiotherapy – as that seemed to naturally align with his sporting passions – but he ended up taking a different route after hearing many good things about the School of Pharmacy and the opportunities being a pharmacist offered, he says.
“I’m so glad I decided to study to become a pharmacist. The career offers a fantastic work/life balance with many opportunities for employment and further education both in New Zealand and overseas.
“My time studying at Otago was also so enjoyable, equipped me for the working world and enabled me to make lots of friends along the way.”
Grayson has already been offered a job at ‘My Pharmacy’ in Tauranga as a community pharmacist and will begin in the new year. There he hopes to continue learning and growing as a pharmacist, while continuing to represent New Zealand in the sporting arena.
– Kōrero by the Division of Health Sciences Communications Adviser Kelsey Swart.
Dunedin-born tauira Grayson Westgate attributes his success in both sports and academia to his commitment towards continuously improving.
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