Roanne Hurley's older brother and a number of her friends had studied Physical Education at University of Otago and had thoroughly enjoyed the course. It fitted in well with Roanne's interest in how physical education applied to the health sector, so that's what she studied. And everything she has done since proved that she made the right choice.
Roanne graduated with a BphEd in 2001, following up with a Bsc in Psychology in 2002. She then carried on with a Masters in Physical Education, researching the role of exercise prescription in diabetes prevention.
“I was planning to do my masters working with paraplegic athletes because I had some practical experience working with wheel chair athletes through the practical course through Physical Education. However, I applied for a job as an exercise prescriber on a Type 2 diabetes prevention programme and my Masters topic arose from that”
Roanne's work continues to be health-focussed, and covers a wide range of activity, working some of the time at Medical Centres as a lifestyle and exercise consultant and also working with ACC on a pilot project that explores how lifestyle impacts on re-injury and return to work.
I am also working on a small diabetes prevention programme for another Health Centre. I am CEO of a small company where my partner and I write and develop software that can track and analyse health and human performance.
Roanne was involved in some teaching while she was completing her studies at Otago, and she's still involved in lecturing for the School of Medicine, in the area
Of exercise presciption. She hopes to return to studfy, and complete a PhD at some point in the future. So what were the significant things she learned while studying at the School of Physical Education?
I learned “how to learn”, You only learn a limited amount through any course, Physical Education provided with me base foundation of skills and knowledge which I have spent a lot of time building upon. I am using my degree as part of my everyday job which is excellent.
Lots of friends, a wide range of subjects, and practical application of the knowledge aquired : Physical Education was definitely the right choice for Roanne!