Laura Jade Watkinson

2nd-year student, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Human Resource Management and Employment Relations

She has always had an interest in psychology, brain development and people, says Laura Jade Watkinson who is studying psychology, and human resource management and employment relations.

“I’ve always been very interested in psychology and enjoy working with people. Figuring I would combine both in a professional manner, human resource management and psychology seemed like the right move to make. I believe that my chosen degree will be a great way to work with and help people. When I graduate, I’d love to go into human resources and potentially later in life come back to AUT as a postgraduate psychology student.”

Laura loves the flexibility her Bachelor of Arts offers and says she was pleasantly surprised that she could combine human resources with psychology as part of her degree.

“Studying both psychology and human resource management means that I can pursue the areas I’m primarily interested in. I’d for sure recommend the Bachelor of Arts to other people, due to its flexibility, the way that classes are taught and the array of people you can meet. Additionally, the career paths you can pursue subsequent to study are definitely more malleable than some other areas.”

Choosing AUT
As much as she is enjoying her studies now, Laura admits that her university started quite differently.

“Initially, I was studying at another university, but the experience there was very isolated and I felt like the learning was not personalised at all. I had a few friends who studied at AUT and raved about the experience they had, so I decided to transfer to AUT. Since studying at AUT, I’ve found it much easier to ask questions, discuss with other students and just generally gather an understanding of everything quicker.”

The people are what she has enjoyed most about her time at AUT.

“Genuinely, the respect that is clearly present at AUT between students, lecturers and tutors is what I’ve enjoyed the most. It’s really nice to know that they’re so passionate about their area of teaching, and are happy to be passing on their knowledge and expertise to an interested student.”

Advice for other students
Expecting complete her degree in 2024, Laura has some great advice for other students who are only at the start of their university journey.

“My advice for other students is to appreciate your classes, your research assignments, and your knowledgeable tutors and lecturers.”

Remember your why, she adds.

“You chose your degree because it’s something you’re interested in learning more about or are passionate about. Don’t forget this during times when your workload gets overwhelming. The information you’re learning is super interesting!”