The Guest Speaker

Inside a Legal Career: Law School, Courtrooms & Work-Life Balance | Jacinda Johnston

Today on The Guest Speaker, we’re joined by Jacinda Johnston - a Special Counsel at one of New Zealand’s leading law firms, Tompkins Wake - to unpack the realities of studying and working in law. From being the “bright student” encouraged into law, to studying at University of Waikato and later abroad at Chicago-Kent College of Law, Jacinda shares the pathway behind her successful legal career - and the moments where she questioned whether law was actually right for her. This episode dives into the different types of law careers available, the intensity of legal study, internship culture, law firm environments, salary expectations, workplace pressures, and the importance of finding the right firm culture. Jacinda also speaks honestly about balancing motherhood, ambition, and wellbeing while working in a demanding profession. Whether you’re considering law because you genuinely love it - or because everyone keeps telling you that you “should” - this conversation gives an incredibly grounded look into what life in the legal profession truly involves.

Becoming an Environmental Scientist: Hannah Rogers on Ecology, Research & Following Curiosity

In this episode of The Guest Speaker, we sit down with Hannah Rogers, an emerging environmental scientist and PhD candidate at the University of Waikato whose research explores epiphytes, ecology, and the future of environmental restoration. Hannah’s connection to the natural world began early, shaped by parents who encouraged curiosity, outdoor exploration, and a deep respect for the environment. But her pathway was not perfectly linear. After beginning university in health science at Otago, Hannah quickly realised something did not feel right and eventually found her way back to ecology and environmental science. Now, through her PhD research, Hannah studies epiphytes - plants that grow on other plants for support - and explores what these often-overlooked species can teach us about restoration, resilience, and the future of our cities. This conversation is for students who love science, nature, fieldwork, research, or simply asking “why?” It is also a reminder that careers are not always obvious from the start, and sometimes the things we are most drawn to are already quietly around us.

Dive Zone Whitianga: How Darrell Bird Turned Passion Into a Career Pathway

In this episode, we sit down with Darrell Bird, owner of Dive Zone Whitianga, to explore how diving can become far more than a hobby — it can become a pathway into confidence, travel, education, leadership, tourism, marine science, commercial work, and global career opportunities. Darrell’s own journey did not follow a traditional route. After leaving school, training as a draughtsman, and realising office life was not for him, travel and the ocean helped him discover a career that aligned with the kind of life he wanted to build. Today, through Dive Zone Whitianga, Darrell works with students, schools, adults, and aspiring dive professionals, helping them gain internationally recognised qualifications and real-world skills. From open water diving through to professional instructor pathways, this conversation explores the power of outdoor education, the confidence that comes from responsibility, and why some careers are best understood by doing.

Helping People Move Again: Gemma Thornton on Rehab, Pilates & Purpose

In this episode of The Guest Speaker, we sit down with Gemma Thornton, a community rehabilitation coach at Body in Motion in the Bay of Plenty. Gemma’s pathway began with a love of dance, movement, and people. After high school, she studied Sport and Human Performance at Wintec, initially imagining a future as a PE or dance teacher. But as her studies unfolded, and as her own health journey with ulcerative colitis and endometriosis shaped the way she understood the body, recovery, and resilience, Gemma found herself drawn toward rehabilitation, wellbeing, Pilates, and hands-on community health work. Today, Gemma supports ACC clients through programmes like Training for Independence, falls prevention, and Activity with Arthritis, helping people rebuild strength, confidence, independence, and quality of life. Her story is a reminder that if you love health, movement, sport, or helping others, there are so many meaningful career pathways beyond the obvious ones. This kōrero is especially helpful for anyone who learns best by doing, is unsure whether traditional university is the right fit, or is navigating health challenges while trying to figure out what comes next.

Promotions, PR & People: Inside a Mediaworks Career in Radio with Haylee Palmer

Haylee Palmer didn’t follow a perfectly mapped-out path - and that’s exactly what makes her story so relevant. Growing up in Tauranga, Haylee leaned into a philosophy of simply enjoying school, trying everything, and staying open to where life might lead. From sport to arts to leadership opportunities, she explored broadly without pressure to specialize early - a mindset that would later shape her career. After finishing school, Haylee moved to Hamilton to study a Bachelor of Communications at the University of Waikato, majoring in public relations with a minor in project management. While studying, she gained hands-on experience through promotions work with NZME - an opportunity that came from a simple connection through a past job. That combination of study, experience, and relationships ultimately led her to her current role at MediaWorks, where she works as a Promotions and Integration Coordinator in Tauranga. In this episode, Haylee takes us behind the scenes of the media industry - sharing what it actually looks like to build campaigns across radio, digital, and live events. From developing creative strategies for clients to executing activations in the community, her role sits at the intersection of creativity, communication, and connection. She also speaks honestly about the uncertainty after graduation, navigating a year without a full-time role, and the importance of staying proactive and open to opportunity. Her biggest lessons? You don’t need a perfect plan. Your degree doesn’t define your path - your actions do. And relationships are often the bridge between where you are and where you want to go. For anyone interested in media, marketing, communications - or simply figuring out their next step - Haylee’s story is a reminder that momentum comes from saying yes, staying curious, and trusting the process.