Nick Bycroft
2nd-year student, Bachelor of Construction in Construction Management
His goal is to have a career in building surveying, says Nick Bycroft who is currently in his second year of a Bachelor of Construction in Construction Management.
“I have a background in the trades and wanted to move into building surveying. When I looked on Seek for jobs as a building surveyor, I found that a lot of them asked for a construction-related degree so enrolling in the Bachelor of Construction in Construction Management aligned with my career development requirements.”
Having previously worked as a sole contractor, he says the course on construction law was particularly insightful for him.
“My course on construction law with Associate Professor Nicola Naismith was really a lightbulb moment as I had previously been a sole contractor but wasn’t always sure how to best perform the admin side of my business. I had experienced some difficulties where I didn’t know that there was a set process to resolve them, so this course helped me see how I could have resolved those past problems.”
The right choice
Deciding to come to AUT for his studies was easy, Nick says.
“AUT was the best university offering the course I wanted to study and the City Campus, where the programme is taught, is welcoming and user friendly, prioritising students over cars.”
It's a decision he definitely hasn’t regretted.
“I’ve enjoyed the assignments in this programme as they’re quite open in the way they can be approached and they feel like real-life situations. I was worried about the work experience I needed to complete in addition to my studies and finding a role that fitted my timetable. Luckily, I had been paying attention to the emails sent out from AUT about scholarships, and I applied for the 2024 Keystone Trust AECOM Property Scholarship, which I received, and that also led me to a summer internship role.”
Advice for other students
Nick has some great advice for other students who are only at the start of their university journey.
“Start your assignments early, so you have the time to explore other projects presented to you while researching. This allows you to find projects that inspire you and find what you’re interested in.”
He wouldn’t hesitate to recommend AUT’s construction degree to other students.
“I’ve learnt a lot and the lecturers are knowledgeable, helpful and always open to questions. I never considered myself academic in high school, but I found this completely changed when I returned to study something I have an interest in.”
