Ethan Dryden

Ethan Dryden discovered his passion for a career in marketing while backpacking across the United States and South America.

“I was 20 and thought I wanted to be an outdoor education instructor. But then I realised that marketing was the perfect fit for me, because you’re always learning about new people and businesses, while using your creativity at the same time.”

As a keen surfer who loves the beach, Ethan chose to study a Bachelor of Business (BBus) at the University of Waikato’s Tauranga campus – attracted by the Management School’s top 1% global ranking.

“I felt like I had struck gold with the University of Waikato,” says Ethan. “The Tauranga campus is fantastic, and it’s right in the heart of the city close to some great food spots. I found it really easy to make new friends and get to know my lecturers.”

Ethan was keen to learn all aspects of running a business and gain a wide range of cross-functional, transferable skills. “The Bachelor of Business gave me that, along with first-rate lecturers who also work as industry consultants, so I could trust their teaching was relevant and up-to-date.”

“The Bachelor of Business at Waikato is absolutely world-class; it definitely lived up to my expectations.

“I loved how the first year of the curriculum is so well structured, offering a broad view of the business landscape - everything from finance and economics, to digital business and supply chain management – the works! These kind of skills are incredibly valuable if I ever want to start my own business.”

A highlight of his degree was the paper 'Marketing Analytics and Insights' (MRKTG205). “I learned how to turn data into a story, looking beyond the numbers to understand the bigger picture and keep the customer’s perspective at the centre,” he explains.

Ethan also minored in Strategic Management, learning to make data-driven decisions. “We had an incredible assignment in ‘Strategies for Enterprise’ (STMGT201) where we applied designing thinking skills to research, develop, and pitch a new product idea. That made me realise how crucial it is to test your ideas out in the marketplace and get customer feedback before you launch!”

The University of Waikato’s focus on real-world learning gave Ethan the confidence to take the next steps in his career. With his lecturers' support, he secured a three-month internship at BlueOcean agency, gaining hands-on experience in digital marketing, social media, copywriting, and client relations.

That led to a full-time role at BlueOcean, crafting tailored campaigns for clients across various industries. “I love learning about new businesses, getting inside the customer’s mind, and figuring out how to use creative design and visual storytelling to communicate the value of products and services,” he says.