Rebecca Furness
Rebecca graduated in Auckland this week as Valedictorian with a Bachelor of Business with a major in Management and a minor in Psychology, a combination that gave her insight into both human behaviour and organisational leadership.
Psychology helped her understand how people think, interact and behave, while management showed her how to apply those insights in practical settings such as leadership, organisational strategy and team dynamics.
Massey’s flexible study options gave Rebecca the freedom to study while balancing fulltime work and to become Chief Operating Officer at chnnl.
“Massey has such flexibility with distance learning, degree structure, studying abroad and opportunities that drew me in,” Rebecca says.
In addition to studying and working fulltime, Rebecca also played competitive netball and travelled internationally for both university and professional opportunities.
Rebecca says learning how to balance ambition with self-care was one of the most valuable lessons during her three years at Massey.
“Throughout studying, I have learnt that success isn’t only about always pushing harder, because this will only lead to burning yourself out. It is so important to know when to take care of yourself, break things down, and to be adaptable to keep moving forward.”
Her studies also opened doors beyond the classroom. Through scholarships like the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia, the Global Citizen Scholarship and the Zhu Xing China Global Youth Leadership Fellowship, Rebecca completed an internship in Bangkok and travelled through China exploring leadership, artificial intelligence and sustainable development.
“These experiences broadened how I think about leadership and impact, giving me new perspectives on culture, adaptability and the importance of diverse ways of thinking.”
Alongside international opportunities, Rebecca valued the chance to support future students through speaking at schools, presenting at youth leadership events and encouraging young women to consider business pathways.
Looking ahead, she plans to continue building her career while exploring future business ventures focused on women’s health, mental health and performance.
Rebecca’s next goal is to create ventures that help people thrive both personally and professionally.
“I want to build and be involved in initiatives that not only support individuals, but also challenge how organisations and systems think about wellbeing, performance and sustainable success.”
Her advice to anyone considering studying at Massey is simple – embrace every opportunity.
“Massey offers so much more than just a degree, but it’s up to you to take advantage of it.
Bachelor of Business empowers you to explore and master your business knowledge and skills, so you can contribute meaningfully and innovatively to the rapidly evolving globalised business world. Apply to study now.
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