Kirk McDowall

Volunteer work and tutoring in Geography supplemented Kirk’s postgraduate study in the discipline, creating a foundation for his advisory work in government.

I have always been interested in travelling and learning about different cultures, and enjoyed subjects such as geography and history. However, at college I did not have a clear idea of what career I wanted. Because of my interests, I enrolled for a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Environmental Studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. This degree covered a range of areas, looking primarily at human development, the physical environment, and the interaction between them.

I completed my degree in 2012 and applied for a Master of Development Studies at Te Herenga Waka the following year. I decided to do this because I enjoyed learning about human geography and the influence of international development. To get some practical experience before I began this degree, I volunteered for a three-month internship at a community-based HIV/AIDS organisation in Bandung, Indonesia. I secured this role because of my studies on cross-cultural research, local communities, and human development, as well as the research and analytical skills I had learnt. This volunteer experience allowed me to view the practical side of development, as well as the challenges and benefits for the people involved in this field.

I spent the next two years completing my postgraduate degree and was head tutor and teaching assistant for three Geography courses. In addition, I spent six months volunteering in mainland China, which contributed to my postgraduate thesis focusing on volunteer tourism. These opportunities were possible because of my study and work at the University. They allowed me to engage with local communities and see the outcomes for the individuals involved.