Beta Alpha Psi
Waikato Chapter
Student and Alumni Spotlight
Here is where you can see how BAP has helped our current students and alumni students through their academic journey and how BAP has helped them out.
We typically host student and alumni spotlights each month. If you'd like to partake in one and share your journey, email: bap.waikato@gmail.com
Student - Evie Yang
Kia ora everyone! My name is Evie and this is my third year of a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) with a Double Major in Accounting at the University of Waikato. I was fortunate to be selected as the Events Manager for Beta Alpha Psi Waikato Chapter in my first year 2019. Joining BAP has been absolutely one of the highlights of my journey at University. It gives me the chance to get to know all the wonderful individuals who were, are and will be on the executive committee. It provides me with ongoing opportunities to network with all the amazing Accounting Professionals and to get closer to the Accounting Profession. It enhances my interpersonal skills such as communication, problem-solving and time management skills through a variety of tasks and events. It also makes me more certain about passing support and cares around our community is undoubtedly what I am passionate about. The fantastic experience of being part of BAP has helped me get more jobs at our University such as Accounting Tutor for Master and undergraduate students, Student Ambassador for various divisions of our University, President of Waikato International Students Association, Treasurer of New Zealand Animal Law Association Waikato and Women in Law Association Waikato. I am now in my second year of being the only CPA Australia Student Ambassador at our University and continuing to support our incredible Beta Alpha Psi Waikato Chapter.
Student - Tyra Todd
I joined BAP in 2018 after being told what BAP could offer students like me. I was sceptical at first because how could a university club really help me to where I want to go and wow, has my opinion changed after being a part of BAP for 2 years now. BAP has helped me get my face and name into the professional world and eventually helping me land an internship at PwC. I was also honoured to be on the executive committee for 18 months. This brought even more opportunities - including a trip to Melbourne to present at the Best Practices competition for the Regional Conference. The photo shows me at the conference helping out at the service event by gardening at the local Melbourne farm to table garden. I would recommend BAP to any business student who wants to meet like-minded people and elevate their university journey completely!
Alumni - Chandra Raju
Chandra Raju recently graduated with his Masters of Professional Accounting from the University of Waikato. Before commencing his study at the start of 2019, he considered his options in New Zealand and Australia before making the decision to study at Waikato, where he could complete the course in a shorter amount of time (14 months) than at other institutions. He also preferred the warmer climate of the North Island.
Chandra chose the Master of Professional Accounting degree to achieve his future plans for advancing his career, having worked in India in the banking and asset management sectors. While the study is intensive, Chandra feels that “the entire programme is structured in a very thoughtful way, starting with the basics then moving from intermediate to advanced accounting topics. The course brings in elements of information systems and law as well, so we can be decision makers not just book-keepers.”
Chandra chose to be a member of Beta Alpha Psi, which is a group of likeminded aspirants who want to progress in the field of accounting and finance. BAP initiatives enabled Chandra to establish industry connections and hone his accounting and information systems skills. Chandra believes the time spent in BAP is a worthy investment.
Towards the end of his degree, Chandra found a role at Genetic Development (New Zealand) Ltd, a Hamilton livestock company, through Student Job Search. While the role was initially 20 hours a week, it became a full-time role once Chandra completed his study. Initially he was assisting the Chief Financial Officer with daily admin tasks, but now he has become fully immersed in the company’s Finance function.
Chandra is enjoying putting the technical aspects of the course into practice, and was keen to stay in Hamilton as he loves its vibrance, smaller population and warm weather (some of the time!). Each of his classes have contributed to his work in some way, whether it’s specialised aspects such as intercompany transactions, job codes and cost allocations, understanding legal contracts, organisational behaviour and teamwork or understanding why certain business decisions are made. Gaining some knowledge of Xero from his lecturers and tutors meant Chandra was work-ready, and the internship paper gave him the opportunity to start building a network here in New Zealand and start establishing his career.
As the company provides an essential service Chandra has worked through the Covid-19 lockdown period, mostly working from home with a few days in the office as permitted. This meant it felt more like ‘business as usual’, and like most people, most of his interactions were via phone, email or Zoom.