EIT Bachelor of Business Studies student Mikayla Craill at Chrisp and Davidson

For some people studying accountancy might seem like an endless table of numbers but EIT student Mikayla Craill is discovering it’s actually all about people and helping them achieve their goals.

As a second year Bachelor of Business Studies student, she is already working with people’s financial accounts and can’t wait for the day she is able to take a more advisory role, helping them with strategic planning and problem solving in their businesses.

Studying in Gisborne has given Mikayla a real head start in the industry. She has a part-time job in a local firm, where she is well supported by mentors.

Mikayla also successfully applied for financial support from the Eastland Group of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, who awarded her a $3000 scholarship towards her studies.

Studying business at EIT could not be better, she says.

”I really like the smaller class size – we get lots of one-on-one time from the lecturers and they are fantastic. They go above and
beyond to help us.”

Mikayla comes to EIT for half a day four times per week, making it possible for her to work part time during the term and full time during the holidays.

“I really like studying at that pace because it gives me time to think As a bonus, Mikayla is able to enjoy the lower cost of living in
Gisborne and having the support of her family and friends nearby.

The Bachelor in Business Studies programme in Gisborne gives students the option of majoring in management or accounting.
Mikayla chose the latter because she has always enjoyed numbers and knows that financial accounting eventually flows onto financial management and strategy.

At her job at Chrisp and Davidson she is already working with clients’ accounts and although she initially found this a bit scary, she
gets great support from her mentor at work.

Anyone working or studying in this field can apply for the Gisborne Financial Assistance Scholarships, which are awarded three times a year depending on the number of applications.

Year 13 degree scholarships are also available to high school students who study a degree at EIT directly after leaving high
school (some conditions apply).