When she didn’t get the points, she needed to enrol directly in an architecture degree from school. The staff at Unitec worked with Jessica to put together a study plan to help her achieve her dream of becoming an architect. 
“Their support is ultimately what made me want to continue studying there for my bachelor’s degree and my master’s degree,” she says.

A two-year Diploma in Architectural Technology set Jessica up with a solid foundation in architecture. “It taught me drawing skills, with both manual graphic drawing and CAD programs, as well as how to search and use NZ legislation and codes to accurately prepare drawings for building construction outputs.”

The diploma also allowed her to cross-credit 90 points to the Bachelor of Architectural Studies, which meant she had six fewer papers to complete for her degree.

Now 24, Jessica is working towards a Master of Architecture (Professional) through Unitec, which she hopes to complete by the end of this year. 

“The people I have met have been some of the best, and the overall community created at Unitec is amazing.”

Once she completes her master’s, Jessica’s next big goal is to become a registered architect. (Architecture graduates need to complete two to three years of on-the-job practical work experience before they can apply to become a registered architect.)

“Career-wise, having a master's degree in architecture essentially speeds up the registration process,” she explains. “Being registered means that you have proven you’re capable of running your own projects. 

“Personally, this has been a goal for me since I began studying, so it has a very fulfilling aspect to it as well.”

While she is completing her master’s thesis, Jessica is working as an architectural graduate at Architects H+K in Whangārei. 

“My job involves drawing/modelling architectural projects and providing drawings - from the concept through to the detailed drawings - for the project's lead architect. I also do some of the project renders, which visualise what the project will look like for the client,” she says. 

“I enjoy the variety; every job is different and has different challenges to resolve. I also enjoy watching a drawn project become a fully constructed building that people can enjoy.”

During her time at Unitec, Jessica has worked in a variety of student support roles, including as a tutorial assistant, teaching classes, marking work and providing support to students.

As well as being a welcome source of income, Jessica says tutoring helped to reinforce her own learning. “I found that having to explain concepts or information in a way that another student would understand made me understand it better and kept the information that I had already learnt at the forefront of my mind. 

“In some classes, the students that I’ve helped have ended up teaching me new things as well.”

In her final year at Dargaville High School, Jessica took Physics, English, Calculus, Accounting, and Design and Visual Communication (DVC). She says DVC was the most useful subject because it introduced drawing to scale and different architectural drawing views. 

Calculus was also helpful, for learning how to use different formulas to work out measurements. 

If you are thinking about studying architecture, be aware that it is a challenging and time-consuming degree, says Jessica, but also a very rewarding one. “You get to create these very complex and beautiful buildings that people get to use and hopefully really like. 

“Architecture can also lead to a lot of different career possibilities, and it can take you anywhere in the world.”

For more information on studying Architecture at Unitec, visit www.unitec.ac.nz/architecture and for a first-hand look, get along to the Unitec Open Day on Saturday 6 September 2025.