Region

Manawatu

Job

Sophie is currently completing a double degree: a Bachelor of Business Studies (majoring in Economics) and a Bachelor of Science (majoring in Agricultural Science).

In 2005, Sophie received a New Zealand Dairy Industry Undergraduate Scholarship, which pays all of her university tuition fees. She really appreciates the support the Dairy Institute has given her.

Her favourite part of her university studies is the animal side of Agriculture Science. She enjoys learning the theory behind the animals she has been surrounded by at home her whole life and just can’t get enough of it.

Career Pathway

Sophie grew up on a sheep and beef farm, and loves animals. She originally planned on being a vet, but decided she did not like blood and gore!

Sophie chose to do an agricultural science degree because she thought the growing agricultural industry needed more graduates and it would provide the opportunity to do some research for the industry.

Sophie is also doing a business studies degree. She says “The dairy industry is inextricably linked to business and I thought studying economics would give me a broader understanding of agricultural practice”.

In the future Sophie is planning on doing post-graduate study in agricultural science, and would like to focus on reproduction and breeding genetics.

Following the completion of her studies Sophie is hoping to work for a company like the Livestock Improvement Corporation, who are a commercial organisation specialising in breeding and genetics. She is not totally aware of all the opportunities out there for her and is looking forward to finding out.

Interests

Sophie likes dancing, especially ballet, jazz, and modern dance, and this year is going to learn ballroom dancing.

She also enjoys playing netball, hanging out with friends, and going home! She doesn’t like living without her pet cats, Oscar and Whiskey, which live with her parents while she is studying.