Millie Day

Kia Ora,

I am a 20-year-old student and cycle instructor based in Dunedin, Otago, and am currently in Stage 2 of the programme.

I came to the University of Otago to follow my love for Neuroscience and Psychology, but have since added a Minor in Computer Science to widen my career horizons. After performing well in the first year programming courses, I was selected to be a demonstrator for the course this year, and have really enjoyed learning how to communicate ideas effectively and seeing the progress of students over the semester. One of the coolest parts of coding is seeing the many different ways people approach a problem, and getting to help people finally crack a bug they’ve been stuck on is always very rewarding. This is my third year of study, and I'm currently exploring my postgraduate options in both neuroscience and software development.

I have also been fine-tuning my teaching skills through instructing for the organization Bike School. I’ve recently completed a Skills Active qualification for teaching cycle skills, something I had been working towards for a couple of years prior. Despite the chilly weather, getting to tour around the local Dunedin primary schools and share the joy of riding bikes has been a wonderful experience. I spent most of my high school years competing and placing top 3 in the Cycling New Zealand Schools enduro and downhill mountain bike races, as well as local events. While I don’t compete so much now, getting to use the skills I have learned from my competitive years has made me a much better instructor out on the roads.

Being part of the Pinnacle Programme has strengthened my leadership skills, and enhanced my love for the outdoors, giving me the confidence to achieve my goals, both academic and career-wise.