Mikayla Madden-Snoad
3rd-year student, Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences
She has always wanted to make a difference in the world, says Mikayla Madden-Snoad who is about to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences.
“The best way I could think to learn about the world’s issues and ways to improve people’s lives was by studying social sciences. I was fascinated by the insights social sciences can provide into society, culture, politics and people, and I wanted to explore the ways we interact with social structures on a daily basis.”
Planning to become a primary school teacher in the future, Mikayla says she would absolutely recommend social sciences to other students.
“This programme has equipped me with the tools I need to understand the world and my place in it, and has inspired me to improve the lives of others. Every course had relevance and intrigue, and the passion of our lecturers for the subject provided great motivation. Dr Kate Nicholls was especially inspiring and had a clear passion for what she taught.
“I’ve really loved all the learning I’ve done here, especially the focus on the importance and joy of learning in and of itself, not just for assessments. I also loved the flexibility of topics and the opportunity to write about things I was passionate about. My degree has challenged my world view and opened my mind to different perspectives.”
Highlights and achievements
There have been many highlights throughout Mikayla’s studies.
“At orientation day, AUT’s vibrant community and student inclusiveness really appealed to me. Another driving force was AUT’s student support services – I knew that AUT really cares about students and works hard to support their wellbeing.
“Alongside my academic studies, the absolute highlight of my time at AUT has been my involvement in the club spaces and being a part of that vibrant AUT community that drew me to the university. The clubs bring students together and create an amazing support network of people who help you along your journey.”
While she has had many proud moments throughout her time at university, she considers the scholarships she received her biggest achievements.
“After my first year at AUT I received an academic excellence scholarship. This reflected all the hard work I had been putting into my studies, and the way my degree motivated me to learn. After my second year at AUT, I also received a significant student scholarship. This was a testament to all the work I had been doing in both my studies and the club space. I’m very proud of all I achieved that year as the vice president of the AUT Performing Arts club and the wonderful community we built, and I was so appreciative of AUT acknowledging the importance of clubs.”
Advice for other students
Mikayla’s advice for other students is simple: use the tools AUT provides.
“Things like Studiosity will teach you invaluable academic skills, the counsellors at AUT are available for all students, and the university’s disability support team is amazing. There are also student tutors, the Student Hub, the library, the Employability and Careers team, the R U OK? team, AUT’s student clubs and so much more!”
There is plenty of support available if you need it, she adds.
“During my time at AUT I contracted COVID-19, and was left with debilitating long COVID. Due to this condition, I had to take leave from AUT. AUT was extremely supportive and let me take my time to rest, with no judgement, easily bringing me back in the next year to finish my degree. I also was diagnosed with ADHD while studying at AUT, and the staff were extremely accommodating and helped me a lot in understanding what ADHD meant for me and my studies.”
