Sam Beatson-Shaw, who is graduating today, undertook an internship at iwi healthcare organisation Te Oranganui in Whanganui as part of his bachelor of applied science course.
At the organisation he worked in health promotion and helped with a smoking cessation course and an alcohol and drug addiction programme.
The programme showed him a side of Whanganui, his home town, which he had never seen, with methamphetamine addiction ruining many lives.
''I never knew it was a problem in Whanganui.
''Some of the stories I heard from some of the participants were pretty shocking.''
One woman he spoke to got hooked on P after starting out smoking synthetic cannabis, which she believed her dealer laced with methamphetamine.
She was 24 and had four children under 5, who were taken from her because of her drug issues.
This and other experiences during the course made him realise he wanted to work in health promotion, particularly in the field of Maori health.
''I want to make a difference in the community.''
Having a clear career goal was a marked change from when he was at the University of Otago and not convinced it was right for him.
He believed the practical focus of the polytechnic helped him become engaged in the course.
He will be graduating at the same time as his mother, Deb Beatson, a midwifery lecturer for Otago Polytechnic based in Whanganui, who has gained a postgraduate diploma in midwifery.
It would be ''awesome'' sharing the experience with her.
Mr Beatson-Shaw is part of both the Nga Rauru and Ngati Kahungunu iwi.
