Hannah Cartman
3rd-year student, Bachelor of Sport and Recreation in Management
The practical placements have been highlights of her studies, says Hannah Cartman who is currently in her final year of a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation majoring in Management.
“My favourite practical elements have been sea kayaking, waka ama and workshops in the stadium playing sports. I also enjoyed being able to work alongside Dr Mel Johnston and Dr Michael Naylor on a research project on engaging women and girls in community sport clubs.”
Gaining workplace experience as part of her degree was another standout for her.
“In my second year, my workplace experience was a massive highlight. The two organisations I did my placements with were AUT Sport and Swimming New Zealand. I’ve recently also been offered a job at Swimming New Zealand in the events participation team. I can’t believe I am actually working for them now!”
An easy decision
Hannah says she loved sports all through high school.
“My favourite high school subjects were always P.E and sport science. I wanted to keep doing this. I didn’t know exactly what career I wanted but I knew it had to be in the sports industry. When I was looking into my university study options, I chose AUT because I had heard that it has a very practical sport and recreation programme, and that it’s pretty social.”
It’s a decision she hasn’t regretted and she would highly recommend the Bachelor of Sport and Recreation to other students.
“It has been great to experience uni life with my friends who also love sport. Getting to know my lecturers and other staff has also been such a big part of uni life – they’re always friendly and have been supportive. Having to do uni online at certain times because of the pandemic had its challenges, but the AUT lecturers were really good at keeping in contact with us, replying to emails and having live collaborative sessions for us to join.
“In the first year it's great because you get to do courses focused on all the different majors. This really helped me decide which pathway I wanted to choose later on in my degree. It was helpful to get a brief introduction to all the different pathways without having to choose until the second year.”
Advice for other students
Expecting to graduate later this year, Hannah has some great advice for other students.
“My advice to other students would be to get to know and become friends with your peers. Chat to your lecturers too – some of them are pretty funny. Join an AUT sports team. Just get involved as much as you can. Sport is all about connections.”
Her other piece of advice is to carefully choose your placements for the workplace experience that is part of the Bachelor of Sport and Recreation.
“I was lucky enough to do my first placement with AUT Sport and my second with Swimming New Zealand. I learned so much by doing these and thoroughly enjoyed them both.”
