The road to graduation with a degree in Strategic Management for Jessica Nelson, 35, wasn’t smooth or quick. She often jokes that it took seven years, two kids, a pandemic, and a marriage!

But, the late nights, naps in the car and weekends spent at the library were worth it to the mum of two, to gain a career she loves in strategy and planning for a local Council – a career that allows her to maintain her personal identity while still being the best mum she can be to her babies.

Jessica Nelson and her daughter, Josephine (Josie).

Jessica said her new career ticked all her boxes – giving her a strong sense of purpose, work/life balance, a direct impact on the community and something that was inspiring to her kids.

The ex-New Zealand women's eight rower began her studies in Christchurch, focusing on project management, but when her husband landed a job too good to pass up in Hamilton, she put her studies on hold and followed him north.

Unfortunately, there was no course in project management in the Waikato, but she found a strategic management and planning course at Wintec and decided that suited her better anyway.

“I’d got halfway through my project management course, and I wasn’t sure it was for me so when I found the strategic side at Wintec, I thought it sounded way more up my alley, so it ended up being a silver lining.”

Coming from a background in event management, a career Jessica had decided wasn’t for her as the hours were too strenuous, she found strategic management fit her skills but worked in better for a career with a work/life balance. 

Jessica said the smaller hands-on classes at Wintec also suited her learning more than lecture theatres filled with too many people to allow proper interactions, especially since she is dyslexic.

Jessica is also a mum and having onsite childcare at Wintec was a huge bonus. When she first moved to Hamilton her daughter was one, so she didn’t want to be far away from her. 

As part of her degree, Jessica had to complete an internship, she ended up in local government, a space she’d never thought she’d be.

“I have a friend who worked at Otorohanga District Council and she got me a meeting with the leadership team to see if they could find me an internship position. The interview was really intense because it was with the senior leadership team. The CE, the advisor, the head of community and strategy were all there, and some others. I got the position and fell into the strategy and community team and my work was around the Long Term Plan.”

Through her internship Jessica completed a research paper and her chosen topic was women in leadership roles in local government. 

She found her own research inspired her, being a mum of two – she had to take a year off her degree when she became pregnant with her second baby. Coming back to complete her degree wasn’t easy with two young children to care for.

“It was really tough. My family live down south and my husband’s family is in America, so we didn’t have a whole lot of support around. I had an amazing daycare and amazing friends. I would go to the library at the weekend to get the work done while my partner looked after the kids.

“While I was doing my research project I’d stay up until 2am working on it, then I’d get up for the day with the kids and take them to daycare at 9am so I could get to my classes. Then at lunchtime I’d have a half hour sleep in my car so I could wake up fresh for my afternoon classes and do it all again the next day - over and over, until I finished.

“But I could see the light at the end of the tunnel and now that I’ve done it and I’m working, it’s all been totally worth it. I have a job I love, and I have the time I need for my kids while being able to provide for them and hopefully inspire them.”

Her research project taught her that there are far more women in leadership than what she expected and the rise of women in leadership was big. She said she found the rise was due to women having soft skills, being able to communicate, and seeing staff as people, not as a hierarchy.

Jessica said while she was interning, she fell into the habit of turning up in meetings and hui that she had no business being in, but she had a hankering for soaking up the information about everything and anything. 

“I wanted to understand what council was and how everything worked, and I fell in love with it.”

Jessica Nelson with her husband Ben and children Josie and Frederick (Freddie).

Jessica graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Management majoring in Strategic management in April this year and now works full-time at Otorohanga District Council as an information management officer.

“It’s not where I originally saw myself, but it’s been an incredible opportunity to learn, and I have amazing bosses. My manager knows that I love strategy and planning, so I’ve been able to stay on with the Long Term Plan team doing administration.

“I love local government and the impact it has on the local community, that’s what fills my cup, seeing the difference it can make long term.

“I’ve been trying to plan an event with my colleagues where we have a panel of women in council to speak about their journeys so we can pass on their knowledge and inspire the next generation.”

Jessica said her journey at Wintec wasn’t easy, but she said she was well supported by Wintec staff. 

“Nima Riini, Wintec Industry Relationship Manager, is awesome, I wouldn’t have got through the course without her. Please put that in bold and underline it,” Jessica said.

Feeling inspired? Learn more about Wintec's Bachelor of Applied Management here.