School leaver: Mattie

Goal: Window shopper

Elaboration and implications: Have decided to go to uni, maybe VUW but also considering other options—maybe Auckland? Maybe a GAP year as a camp counsellor in the US? Also still working out what to study. Knows what they like and now trying to match this up with the subjects on offer. We need to make it easy for them to get the information they want. They would probably benefit from career information, as well as related subjects. Clear links to programmes and to apply for admission. We might want to make it easy for them to give us contact details, so lets think how we incentivise this.

Name

Mattie

Based on: 'Idealist' profile in 'Gen Y' tribes.

Secondary student interviews: E, A, K

Scenario

Male aged 17, Pakeha

Year 12 at school (Wellington High)

Comes from Wellington, lives with his parents Margie and Mike

Lived in Samoa for three years when he was younger - his Dad was teaching there. He'd like to travel more, maybe combining his study by moving to another city.

Individual style

Cares about world issues

Spending time with family and friends important - but schoolwork takes precedence when it needs to be done.

Has had a quick chat to a VUW rep at his school once but was still deciding what to do so didn't do detailed planning.

Technology and internet

Laptop and smartphone.

Tries not to spend too much time on the internet. Sometimes accesses it via his smartphone.

Looks for sites that are trustworthy.

Is getting sick of Facebook.

Tertiary education and career goals

Looking for a career where he can make a difference. For some time, has had something in mind: he's interested in working with people in developing countries. Last holidays, he did some volunteer work at the Red Cross. 

As well as looking for the right programme of study, Mattie wants a university experience that will help him grow as a person. He's not looking for non-stop partying: it's more about networks and groups, and extending his awareness of global and environmental issues. He wants to make new friends and be exposed to new ideas. 

"Does the uni help me get a job once I have my degree?"

Information needs from Victoria

When Mattie visits Victoria's website, he wants to find out what study options are available that match the type of work he's interested in doing. He wants to explore relevant areas broadly, as well as look at different qualification options (programme options). He needs to know that the qualification he chooses will help him get a job at the end of it. His interests are quite mixed and he's not sure how all that comes together in a degree. 

Related information that would be of interest to Mattie include exchange programmes (for later in his studies) and information about student life.

He's confused about many aspects of the process of getting into University.

How to put his different interests together, what goes best with what, can he do everything or should I select only three? 

"I don't really know how it all works at uni. Mum explained it to me but I don't really get it yet."

"I find it really hard going to read and try to understand all these [course code] numbers. I would need to go elsewhere to look that up, then come back." 

Wants to see what other students have gone on to do or are thinking of doing. 

"Stories of the future – what they may want to do with their degree."