Orion Wall is one of the first cohort of students to complete the Wintec Bachelor of Communication degree.

Three years ago, Wintec launched a new Communication degree designed for a future world of working, where theory met practical work-based experiences and classrooms were flipped. Orion Wall joined the first cohort of students and three years later, and about to graduate, he tells his story.

When I started looking at studying communications, none of the degrees really stood out to me. I was 18 years old, living in Hamilton and I wanted something that was going to challenge me, equip me with industry skills, and prepare me for the changing media world.

This is what Wintec was offering with the new Bachelor of Communication degree.

Going into the first year of a new degree we had the ability to help craft the course content to the world around us now. We were not learning from resources made years ago, we were learning content that was relevant to us right now and for the future. We had many interesting guests from different industries and backgrounds come in and talk, David Farrier, Suzy Cato, and Honey Hireme are a few to mention.

I was able to make lots of connections throughout the degree having been put in a group of likeminded strangers. We grew our skills, our personalities, and professional goals together and will graduate as a family.

Our tutors were deeply knowledgeable in their personal domains and were always available to talk to throughout the degree. Not only to discuss study related topics but also for moral support, which was needed over the Covid-19 period last year.

Having the opportunity to hire out videography and photography equipment was beneficial as it gave me the ability to explore new skills in the creative industry. We were allowed to use the campus facilities to explore our own creative endeavours, like when a group of us entered into the 48Hours Film Festival and camped out in the editing suites.

The hub on the hill is full of learning resources, quiet areas to study and a café to indulge in while you are procrastinating. P Block was our safe haven of creativity, with quiet classrooms for conceptualising ideas, decked out photography and videography studios as well as communal and private editing studios. There is also a lounge for relaxing and a shared kitchen for snacks and drinks. Over the degree P Block became the home for our class.

I was able to learn a large array of topics such as videography, marketing, script writing, advertising strategies, documentary making and feature writing. My most memorable project was when went down to Rotorua to make a short documentary on the Rotorua Coffin Club. A quirky group of older folks that were designing their own coffins and getting the older people in the town involved in making their own.

My three years at Wintec has advanced my expertise in aspects both expected and unexpected. I gained confidence in myself and in my own creative abilities.

Find out more about studying the Bachelor of Communication with Wintec School of Media Arts.

The first graduands of Wintec Bachelor of Communication will be part of Wintec Graduation and Special Awards ceremonies from Friday 12 until Thursday 18 March 2021. 

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