Powder Passion
For some people, the traditional nine to five office gig just doesn’t suit. For Eleanor Tresidder, she much prefers riding powder in one of the most beautiful tourism destinations in New Zealand.
Just one of the many perks you get as a snowboard instructor, the Otago Polytechnic graduate spends her days teaching kids how to snowboard in Queenstown, Central Otago.
Completing an Avalanche Safety and Snowboard Instruction Certificate, Eleanor says she not only loved the course, but the million dollar views that came with it.
"I really enjoyed what we learnt and became more and more interested as we got further into the training. I loved the fact that our classroom was for the most part on the side of a mountain with incredible scenery and views.
Run by experienced snow sport professionals, the programme focuses on weather conditions, how to manage risk, safe mountain travel techniques and how to handle emergency situations.
"On the Avalanche side, my teachers were experts that were passionate about what they do and desired to pass on as much of their knowledge as they could. My snowboard instructor was also outstanding. He had a lot of work to do with us and managed to vastly improve everyone’s riding, and teach us a few new tricks along the way!"
Following the completion of her certificate, Eleanor now spends six hours a day teaching kids from all over the world how to snowboard.
"Kids are great, they take the knocks and get straight back up and try again. They are all so keen to learn to snowboard and soak it all up."
As for a future in the snow sports industry, Eleanor would like to continue learning about teaching on the slopes.
"I have been super busy this year with the snow sports school so I haven’t had a chance to go and hang out with the Ski Patrol and further my education and knowledge in that area, but at some point I would like to do that.
"Once you become a qualified instructor there are loads of options within the industry, so there are a few more levels of certification that I’m keen to have a go at on my snowboard as well!"
Green Thumb Career
Finding the balance between study, work and family is a constant challenge, but for Horticulture student Kate Barnett the process has been refreshingly positive.
"There were two reasons for studying Horticulture. Having kids is pretty chaotic, so I felt like I needed something for me. We also have nine hectares of land which we purchased back in 2002 that we are hoping to develop soon."
As a busy mum, Kate has become a multi-tasking expert, studying full-time at the Central Otago Campus, and looking after three children under five.
"The time away has been lovely and I’ve learnt so much more than anticipated. I now understand far more about soils, how to deal with pests, irrigation, the principles of organic growing, and other niche crops that I can potentially produce."
Kate and her family currently sell home grown tomatoes and apricots every Sunday at the picturesque Farmer’s Market in Cromwell’s historic precinct.
"My new-found skills in Horticulture will help expand our weekend business at the markets, and an extra source of income from home is always a bonus!"
The gardening aficionado says her green thumb runs in the family. "I’ve always loved pottering outdoors and I think this stems back to my granny who was a great gardener. I used to love coming home on my school holidays and planting out my vege garden. Being out in the wide-open spaces was always very natural and therapeutic for me."
As for balancing family-life and study, Kate says the staff at Otago Polytechnic have been very supportive.
"My teachers have been wonderful when I haven’t been able to make it to a tutorial or a lecture. They have children of their own, so they understand the constant battle of juggling many balls in the air."
"As for going back to study, it has been an amazing experience. There is such a diverse mix of people in my class including school leavers, mature age students and international students. It’s a very dynamic group and loads of fun."
With a combined love for the outdoors and horticulture, it seems Kate has found her perfect career.
"I went to university after school without really knowing what I wanted to do. To find something that you enjoy is the most important thing. The rest will fall into place.
"If you end up making a living out of something you love, it’s a real privilege."
Yuki Waga, Sports Turf Management
Yuki Waga had an epiphany when he was on holiday in England, watching Manchester United play soccer on their home turf.
He was passionate about sport and had always wanted to be able to work outdoors, so he decided then and there to combine the two and become a professional groundsman.
There were few opportunities for Yuki to train for his chosen profession in his home country, Japan, however, so he spent several years working and saving money to travel to New Zealand and enrol in Otago Polytechnic’s Diploma in Sports Turf Management.
Now that he’s here, Yuki has no regrets about the hard work he put into making the move. "This is a great course," Yukki says. "I’m learning all sorts of new skills, and people in New Zealand are very welcoming and friendly."
The tranquility of Cromwell is a change of pace from the hubbub of life in Japan, Yuki says, and he is adapting enthusiastically to the change. This is not the only novelty that Kiwi culture has presented Yuki with – he had never heard of cricket before he came to New Zealand, and now he is building cricket pitches. 'I am watching as many games as I can!” he says. "It’s a challenge, but I'm learning fast."
Rugby is another story, however. No stranger to the national game, one of Yuki’s dreams is to work for the All Blacks, and his work placement at Westpac Stadium in Hamilton, which will host two games at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, brings him a step closer to making this a reality.
He laughs that if he is lucky, he may even get to live his dream more than once, with Japan having been announced as the hosts of the Rugby World Cup in 2019.