Tessa Bercic

Anthropology introduced Tessa to research methods that allowed her to delve into the cultural issues that mattered to her, skills she now uses in policy work.

(Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa)

I remember attending a mock lecture during Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s Open Day and it was the first time I had heard anyone describe a subject where I could learn with others about different cultures and peoples—our similarities, our differences, and our shared histories. This was my introduction to Cultural Anthropology and it quickly became my choice for Bachelor of Arts major. I loved having the opportunity to tailor assignments to suit my own interests. Cultural Anthropology provided a way for me to understand my own identity as tangata whenua more while also providing a ‘bigger picture’ of how it intersected with other cultures. I also liked the complexity of being an Indigenous anthropologist and having to navigate the role of being a researcher and holder of people’s stories in an academic setting.

I feel like Cultural Anthropology has made me more inclined to question what the underlying cultural assumptions and values are, particularly in storytelling settings. Through ethnographic research methods one can learn how to interact and build connections with people of different walks of life. I also find that I am more interested in understanding how we give agency to people who don’t often have a voice.

I completed my BA(Hons) in Cultural Anthropology over two years, during which I applied for a government role in social policy. Despite having limited experience, I was able to refer to an Honours project I had completed working with young Māori, which helped me get the job. It was good to know that I didn’t have to study policy to get a job in policy. Being able to understand a diverse range of perspectives and realities of people living all over the country, and building rapport with people, can be just as valuable for the work I do. This has been very beneficial for my career in government policy over the years.

If you’re considering studying Honours in Cultural Anthropology I would highly recommend it for a number of reasons: the staff have a great wealth of knowledge and are very supportive, you get to develop your research and fieldwork skills (which can be applied in a range of career paths), and you get an opportunity to tailor your studies to delve into issues that you’re really interested in.