Photo caption: Sarah Eichler is one of the first cohort to graduate with a UC Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability.
Sarah is part of the first cohort to graduate with a Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability, a new degree that launched in early 2022.
Sarah says her studies were an excellent foundation for someone wanting to make an impact in this field. “It was even more than I expected it to be. It was a really close-knit group and the lecturers were really supportive.
“They wanted us to do well and were focused on making sure we got what we needed from the courses. They also set an example with their own hands-on involvement in sustainability issues here and overseas.”
Sarah is now working as a Programmes Coordinator at Envirohub, an organisation that fosters collaboration among Christchurch-based environmental and sustainability groups and says the connections she made during her coursework were invaluable.
“A lot of businesses are needing sustainability advisers at the moment and the degree was very real-world focused, so we did quite a few field trips and regularly met people in the community, learning how to build those relationships.”
She also gained connections and work experience through a UC Professional and Community Engagement (PACE) internship, which allows students to apply what they are studying in a workplace environment to boost their employability.
“My PACE internship last year was with Te Tuna Tāone, a branch of Envirohub, which involved educating children, teachers and other groups about longfin eels,” Sarah says. “That helped me make the contacts that led to my current job. My degree also helped set me up with the right skills, because the role is all about building relationships with other people and with community groups.”
She is enjoying being able to work effectively at a small-scale, community level. “I’m interacting with people in a way that feels like I’m making a difference to individual lives. Creating meaningful connections and networks is a huge part of my job.”
Originally from Wellington, Sarah says moving to Ōtautahi Christchurch to study at UC has been extremely positive. “I wanted to find independence from leaving home and going to a new city and I’ve really developed here. I’ve grown a huge network of people in the environmental sector who I love working with.”
Sarah says the friendships she has gained through playing football for a UC women’s team have also helped her feel at home here.
“It’s been a great way to meet new people who are at different ages and life stages to me.”
Sarah’s parents are flying down from Wellington to be part of her graduation celebration on 8 April and a few days later they’ll be cheering her on when she runs in the Christchurch Marathon.
