JingJing (Jing) Ly
2nd-year student, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Human Resource Management and Employment Relations
The Bachelor of Arts is a great choice if you’re not yet sure how you want to structure your degree, says JingJing (Jing) Ly who came to AUT as an international student from Cambodia and is now studying psychology and human resources.
“If you’re overwhelmed by the choices, like I was, and can’t decide how you want to structure your university degree, I believe that the Bachelor of Arts is one of the best choices. There are many options offered for how your studies could be like and you have the flexibility to choose from a range of different subjects you can study.
“I had a hard time deciding how I should structure my degree, however I had a lot of help from my course advisor who offered great advice on what I could do with my studies. I decided to include a minor in human resource management, which gives me another opportunity to explore a different side of psychology and explore the various paths available in this field.”
Choosing AUT
Jing says AUT’s reputation for providing students with relevant learning experiences was a key factor when she was deciding where to study in New Zealand.
“I applied to AUT because of the various opportunities the university offers, including internships and practical learning from professors and various organisations. Moreover, the workplace experience that is part of many AUT degrees piqued my interest and sealed the deal as I believe that the inclusion of this course is crucial and beneficial for my plans after I graduate.”
As much as she is enjoying her Bachelor of Arts, she initially came to AUT for quite a different programme.
“I initially started with a Bachelor of Health Science and then came across the Bachelor of Arts structure. I decided to switch degrees because I liked the fact that the Bachelor of Arts includes the Work Integrated Learning course in the final year, which I think is beneficial when I finish my degree as many jobs require work experience that undergraduate students may not have. Thus, I feel that this is a great opportunity and a bonus for my CV as well.”
Opening up various paths
She hadn’t always dreamt of a career in psychology, admits Jing who is currently in the second year of her studies.
“Where I come from – Cambodia – psychology or mental health issues are not widely enough talked about, nor are they fully ‘acceptable’ yet. I realised that I want to have a career related to psychology after I experienced some struggles with my mental health and got professional help.”
She believes her studies open up a number of different pathways for her future career.
“At the moment, I’m still unsure which path I want to take after university, however that was one of the reasons why I choose to do combine psychology and human resources as part of my Bachelor of Arts. The flexibility provides me with multiple pathways I can take after I graduate, whether I decide to be in a more clinical setting and continue my studies, or work in the business or industry fields.”
