Like a duck to water

Studying while working for the Waitaki District Council, Caitlin Donovan was able to apply her learning on the job, in real time.

Caitlin Donovan

Study

Otago Polytechnic wasn’t a huge change from school. We weren’t sitting in big, intimidating lecture halls, we were in a classroom, interacting with the lecturer.

Cailtin Donovan says the best thing about studying engineering at Otago Polytechnic was being able to apply it directly to her job.

The 27-year-old gained a cadetship with the Waitaki District Council straight out of school.  She came to Dunedin one day a week to study, and the rest of the time she worked at the Council’s water unit in Oamaru.  “The lecturers were really understanding about those of us doing part time distance learning.  You could approach them easily, and they were always keen to help out”.

Caitlin isn’t worried that the diploma took twice as long to complete, “It was really good, you don’t come out with a student loan!”

“I like problem solving, maths and science, and the Polytechnic wasn’t a huge change from school.  We weren’t sitting in big, intimidating lecture halls, we were in a classroom, interacting with the lecturer”.

Caitlin’s keen to follow a career path through the Waitaki District Council.  She says there’s lots of professional development opportunities, and she has already enjoyed three different roles since completing her cadetship.

“There are so many engineering jobs available, and my study really did help with what I was learning at work”.

New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Civil Engineering)

Develop a sound knowledge, understanding and practical appreciation of civil engineering processes and theory, and an ability to apply your learning in a practical and innovative way.

Student

Caitlin Donovan

Study

New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Civil Engineering)

Develop a sound knowledge, understanding and practical appreciation of civil engineering processes and theory, and an ability to apply your learning in a practical and innovative way.