Rebekah Cameron
Master of Communication
Why did you choose to study the Master of Communication?
I chose Massey’s MC programme because it provided an exciting and flexible range of courses that allowed me to combine gaining applicable and concrete skills and knowledge that I needed to advance professionally while also offering an opportunity to extend myself academically in a discipline that I have always been passionate about.
How has postgraduate study helped you with your life or career goals?
Earning my master’s degree was a transformative experience for me both personally and professionally.
Professionally, I knew it was important for me to get a master’s degree when my partner and I decided to make Paris our permanent home. For better or worse, a master’s tends to be a minimum requirement if you want to progress within a lot of industries and international organisations in Europe so I knew that my options would continue to be limited without one.
However, I had not realised what a great investment returning to study at 30 would also be personally. Juggling work and remote study wasn’t always easy but I loved and appreciated academia far more than I had straight out of high school. I came out the other side with a lot more confidence in my ability to learn, adapt and apply knowledge which has set me up for better success in my work since graduating. This has been invaluable given how fast the world, and the world of work, is changing.
How would you describe your study experience?
If I had to choose one word to describe my study experience with Massey it would be ‘supported’. From being encouraged to pursue courses and a thesis topic that reflected my passion for gender studies and international development to faculty going above and beyond to help me set up an exchange with Concordia University in Montreal where I was living for a period during my study. In addition, the flexibility and understanding shown to students juggling life, work and remote study meant that I always felt like my supervisor was keen to cheer me on and see me succeed.
What were some highlights?
It’s hard to choose a highlight, while I loved being able to have a North American graduate school experience through my exchange in Montreal, I equally appreciated reconnecting with New Zealand through my study with Massey. I’ve had the privilege of working in international development and education for several years and I often think about and apply the knowledge and perspectives I gained from the incorporation of Te Ao Māori, for example, into the core curriculum.
What have you done with your career since graduating?
Since graduating from the MC programme, doors have opened to me that would have otherwise been closed. Having worked for a number of years in Administration and as a Project Assistant at the OECD and UNESCO I was able to evolve into the ‘professional grades’ within the UN system and have been lucky to have spent the last few years working as an Associate Project Officer with the UNESCO Section of Education for Inclusion and Gender Equality and the UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education.