Early entry can often open unanticipated doors. At least, this is true for Savannah Boutsikakis. With a strong connection to the land - having grown up on a sheep property in Southern NSW - Savannah says she never planned on going to uni. When a teacher mentioned the early entry options to UNE during one Primary Industries class, she decided to look into it.
“Before I knew it, I had applied to uni. I was out riding my horse one afternoon following the HSC exams when an email popped up on my phone offering me a place. I didn’t believe it was real, so flew inside to double check on my computer.”
With three early entry offers to choose from, Savannah compared the different universities and decided UNE would be the best fit, so enrolled in a Bachelor of Agriculture. “I chose UNE because I was able to select units that were more specific to my interests, particularly the wool units,” she says.
Agriculture is so diverse and there are many career options and possibilities you may not have considered
With the help of the Country Universities Centre in Goulburn, Savannah was able to study remotely and access free, high-speed internet and modern learning spaces. She feels her greatest achievement was managing to study online full-time, whilst working almost full-time throughout her degree.
Savannah is excited to be part of the next generation to work in the agricultural industry and believes it is full of opportunity. “Agriculture is so diverse and there are many career options and possibilities you may not have considered,” she says.
Although newly graduated, she has already found the real-world relevance of her degree. “I worked on a cropping place recently, doing a job that was far out of my comfort zone. I found myself making the connection between content I had learned at UNE and what we were working on. My degree has given me the confidence that I know what I am talking about.”
She also has some advice for high school students who may be considering a degree in agriculture. “If you’re determined enough, you will get there in the end. It may feel never ending but keep chipping away. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Apply for every opportunity you can get – what is the worst that could happen? Push yourself out of your comfort zone.”
