Ryan Trotter recently took a trip to the Australian outback. There in the Northern Territory, he tramped, camped and climbed a mountain or two too, before coming home. Next he’s thinking about a trip to Antarctica.
“I noticed that I was a lot less stressed [than my peers] about money, and that meant I could focus on my studies and meeting new people and finding my place in the world. I realised I was in quite a privileged position.”
It has always been thus. Ever since he was a child, Ryan has loved exploring the outdoors. As he said in his Keystone Scholarship application: “early days walking up the hills with dad, hunting, tramping and shooting, made me realise where I want to be in my future. As I moved on through school my strengths in mathematics, physics and geography arose”.
So when he was trying to choose a career, it was an easy fit. A surveying degree fulfilled all criteria. There was just one thing missing: enough money to support him through university. Family circumstances compounded by his mother’s serious illness meant straitened circumstances at home. Ryan had been doing his best to contribute by working two hours before school three mornings a week, plus a full Saturday shift, while still managing to keep his grades high – and complete six subjects in Year 13.
A careers advisor at Marlborough Boys College advised him to search for some suitable scholarships – and that’s when he found that Keystone stood out. “There were lots of scholarships offered for law and medicine [and suchlike] but none for surveying specifically – and few in the construction industry.”
His successful application left him with an immense sense of relief. “It meant: ‘I can do this’.”
Off he went to the University of Otago, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Surveying degree, which has led him to where he is now: a land surveyor with Auckland consulting business Wood & Partners, where he is able to encompass all his passions. This sees him on a continual learning path: coming to groups with new technologies and new methods in an ever-changing and highly technical world.
While a student, Ryan, who was originally raised in Kaiapoi, was able to work on earthquake recovery jobs in Christchurch – a place that has always held a special place in his heart
Ryan’s university journey was made much easier with the backing of Keystone, he says. He originally stayed in a hall of residence, which proved to be both great fun, as well as a supportive environment. “I noticed that I was a lot less stressed [than my peers] about money, and that meant I could focus on my studies and meeting new people and finding my place in the world. I realised I was in quite a privileged position.”
Not just financially. [Through Keystone] “I was able to talk to guys in the industry and figure out the lingo and learn more about people and their careers.” He has also forged enduring friendships with other alumni. An example: Patrick Watta, who also features on this site, met Ryan at a Keystone function and they soon learned they had a lot in common. Patrick’s Auckland-based family were delighted to be able to billet Ryan when he returned to the City of Sails for further Keystone events, and the pair’s friendship continues.
Since graduating, Ryan has mentored others in their survey studies. Bearing that in mind, what advice now would he provide to his younger self?
“As far as life advice goes, I’d say try and figure yourself out first, before trying to figure out others. Find your passions and your weaknesses. The career advice that I’d offer would be to explore the career that appeals thoroughly: talk to others about the good aspects and the mundane.”
