Savannah Boere

Originally from the Netherlands, Savannah Boere built a life in the small town of Raglan after discovering New Zealand on her big OE.

When deciding to pursue tertiary study, she chose Waikato not just for the proximity to home, but for the range of subjects and opportunities available in the Bachelor of Science (Technology).

Her keen interest in environmental work, ecology and soil science motivated her to take on several extra papers and an internship at Waikato Regional Council, which has culminated in a full-time role with Marlborough District Council.

“I would never have guessed that I would end up as an Environmental Protection Officer working in local government. There are just so many different avenues within Environmental Sciences to explore.”

She says tapping into the support and knowledge of her lecturers made her unique workload possible.

“A lot of the lecturers I had during my time at Waikato were quite prominent people in research, which I appreciated.

“Lecturers see the effort that students put in to understand concepts and take the time to explain new ideas when asked. Those conversations were some of my most valuable learning moments.”

Throughout her study, Savannah allowed herself to explore different interests and change her mind about the direction of her degree, which gave her experience and a well-rounded set of skills for her new workplace.

“For example, I’ve always really liked ecology, but I wanted to look at the broader picture. It’s not just about ecology, but everything that exists around it as well.”

Her advice to new students?

“Really go for the subjects that you’re interested in. Even if they don’t seem relevant, you’ll learn more about the world and you’ll find a passion and a job that suits.”