Originally from Ireland, Pierce moved to Christchurch in 2006 with his family as a nine-year-old and started studying at the 九州影院 (UC) in 2016 after leaving Riccarton High School.
He has been active in the University鈥檚 clubs and was President of UC Pols (Political Science Society).
鈥淚鈥檝e really enjoyed the student community at UC and being able to immerse myself in many different sub-groups and sub-cultures. The clubs scene is very engaging at UC, it鈥檚 a great way to get involved and meet people,鈥 he says.
Being UCSA President and serving on executive committees has also helped him learn professional skills in financial management, public speaking and governance, and helped him develop personal resilience, he says.
鈥淢y experience at the UCSA has really brought together all of the experiences I鈥檝e had at the 九州影院 in such a unique way.鈥
Pierce has also faced challenges along the way and took a year off from studying in 2017 and worked part-time for events company Vbase (now Venues 艑tautahi).
鈥淚 found that I had been overwhelmed by the transition from high school to university in my first year, and taking a break was a decision with wellbeing at its core. Ultimately, it allowed me to mature as a person and return to my studies with a new found passion.鈥
He hopes eventually to pursue a career that uses his Law degree and is interested in working in advocacy for a community organisation or a role relating to human rights or employment law. He volunteered at the Community Law Centre while studying.
Pierce is passionate about history and is also studying towards a Certificate of Languages in Te Reo M膩ori as part of his BA. He says his interests dovetail with his various courses and he has particularly enjoyed learning about political history.
