Amelia Cameron

A passion for Sociology has opened exciting work in communications, then health and wellbeing promotion for students, leadership, and further learning.

I've always been intrigued by why our society is the way it is. I looked at studying Psychology or Communications, subjects I studied through college, but my brother's fiancée introduced me to Sociology and brought me to one of her lectures. After that, I was sure that Sociology would be in my future. I know that for many, studying a subject that directly leads to a career is the way to go. I was privileged to be able to start with what brought me passion and purpose, and I hoped I would figure out the career part later!

I think everyone can benefit from studying Sociology as it relates to pretty much everything. I recommend studying more practical subjects alongside it, as Sociology can be very theoretical. For me, these were Intercultural Communication, Social Policy, and Media Studies. I also think that aligning your part-time mahi with your study is the best way to ensure that you are in a good place when you graduate.

Sociology made a lot of my personal experiences make sense to me. I felt empowered by the knowledge I was gaining and felt a responsibility to connect others with this knowledge as well. It cemented my belief that we can do things differently from how we have always done them. Sociology has given me the skills to critically analyse and seek inventive ways to improve various aspects of our society. Alongside Sociology and the subjects above, I also took courses in Gender and Sexuality Studies and Anthropology. All of these subjects complemented each other, expanded my worldview, and allowed me to apply sociological theories in new ways.

My first jobs during college and my first year at Te Herenga Waka were in retail, working to save for university and build my resume. At the end of my first year of study, I started working for a small business - a dessert cafe here in Wellington.  I went beyond my role by doing some work on their social media and newsletters to gain experience. From there, I was able to leverage this experience to get a job at another small business, Kōwhai Services, doing their communications, social media, and eventually providing management support to some trainee counsellors. During my time at Kōwhai, I delved back into Psychology and learned a lot about mental health and neurodivergence, which reinforced my passion for mental health and wellbeing.

When that contract ended, I was in a strong position to apply for the Communication Assistant role for the Student Equity and Wellbeing Portfolio at the University, where I worked for the final year of my degree. In this role I worked closely with the team at Manawa Ora—Student Wellbeing and became inspired by their vision for both the service and Te Herenga Waka as a university. I worked with the service to create new initiatives that are still running today.

Through my part-time work, I explored different industries and aligned my work with my career goals. My studies equipped me with the knowledge and skills that allowed me to work in relevant roles. Throughout my time with Kōwhai Services and the Student Equity and Wellbeing Portfolio, I consistently drew on what I had learned to inform my work. A central skill that has served me in diverse ways is the ability to research and make evidence-based decisions. This has made me more confident and assured in my work.

The supportive relationships I built while working in Communications for the Student Equity and Wellbeing Portfolio resulted in others seeing potential in me. Just after I completed my degree, I was appointed to the role of Health and Wellbeing Promoter at Te Herenga Waka. In this role, I line manage Manawa Ora—Student Wellbeing and support the implementation of Ki te rā—Student Wellbeing Outcomes Framework. I have had an incredible team of experts to learn from as I have grown into this opportunity. With them, I accomplish change and make a difference for our students. I would like to thank my manager in particular for her guidance and mentorship over the past couple of years.