Study helps Christchurch graduate change careers from photography to social work

Invercargill-based Bachelor of Social Work graduate, Kayla Brady was the student speaker at the ceremony.   

In her speech, Kayla, explained what drew her to study social work at Open Polytechnic, after working as a photographer. 

“I didn’t come into this degree because I had it all figured out. Quite the opposite,” she said. 

“I didn’t see myself as an academic. I had my beautiful children young, and after COVID, my photography business was never quite the same.” 

“I came into this because I understood what it feels like to stand on the wrong side of that bridge and not be sure if there’s a way across.” 

Through her studies with Open Polytechnic, Kayla has learned a lot about what it means to be a social worker. 

“At the beginning, I thought I could fix things or even save people,” Kayla says. 

“But the more I’ve learned, the more I’ve realised it’s actually much simpler and much harder than that.” 

“It’s about making room for someone’s experience long enough for them to find their own way forward.” 

Caption: Kayla receives her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Dr Neil Barns, Deputy Chair of the Open Polytechnic Council.

According to Kayla, impactful change doesn’t happen when we drag people across the bridge, it happens quietly when someone chooses to take a step and knows they won’t fall. 

Kayla acknowledged the role of her tutors and New Zealand’s specialist provider of online learning Open Polytechnic, in making the pathway for her to become a social worker possible. 

Caption: Kayla with her proud family at the Wigram Airforce Museum in Christchurch.

"Distance learning made it accessible for people like me, for parents, for those balancing life alongside study, and for those who wouldn’t have had the opportunity in a traditional setting. 

“Without that option, I wouldn’t be standing here today.” 

She also thanked friends and family for their support. 

“And to our loved ones, thank you for standing behind us while we learned how to stand beside others. For your patience, your strength, and everything you’ve carried with us along the way.” 

Open Polytechnic Chief Executive Sharon Cooke congratulated the graduates, acknowledging the commitment behind each qualification earned. 

Caption: Open Polytechnic Chief Executive Sharon Cooke delivers her speech at the Christchurch graduation ceremony.

"Graduation marks far more than the completion of a programme,” she said. 

“It reflects perseverance, growth, and the confidence to step forward into new roles, careers, and contributions within your communities.” 

Ms Cooke said the ceremony celebrated not only individual achievement, but the collective effort of families, supporters and educators who walked alongside graduates on their journey. 

“Each of our graduates has reached this milestone in their own way, often while managing work, family, and other responsibilities,” she said. 

“Today is a chance to pause and acknowledge what that effort has made possible — and to look ahead to what comes next.” 

Caption: Graduates lined up at Open Polytechnic's Christchurch graduation ceremony.

The graduates at the Christchurch ceremony were awarded a variety of diplomas and degrees, including early childhood education, primary and secondary education, social work, business, accounting, applied management, legal executive studies, library and information studies, psychology, web development and design, information technology, architectural technology, and construction. 

The Christchurch ceremony was the first of three for Open Polytechnic in 2026, with the second ceremony to come in Wellington on 14 May. Including those awarded in absentia, around 1150 graduates will receive their diploma or degree from Open Polytechnic this graduating year.