Scholarship Recipient: How Further Study Is Shaping A Career

Designing Her Next Chapter: Renee’s Journey Through Study, Work and Family

Completing further study while working full-time and raising a young family is no small commitment. For kitchen designer Renee Boyle, the decision to take on a New Zealand Diploma in Kitchen Design with the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association (NKBA) was driven by a desire to keep learning, strengthen her skills and create an even better experience for her clients.

With more than 15 years of professional experience since completing her architecture degree at Ara, Renee has now added a Diploma in Kitchen Design to her qualifications. The course has brought new knowledge, greater confidence and a fresh perspective to the career she already loves.

Finding a career she loved

Renee's path into kitchen design began with a degree in Architecture. After graduating, she worked for several architectural firms across a wide range of projects, including new homes, earthquake repairs and renovations.

It was not until Renee and her husband moved to Sydney that she found her way into kitchen design, a field that quickly felt like the right fit.

“I loved it from the start,” Renee says. She was drawn to the collaboration with clients, from the initial consultation through to final sign-off.

That combination of design, problem-solving and close client collaboration gave Renee a career she wanted to keep building on.

The motivation to take the next step

As a member of the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association, one of CGF's member associations, Renee applied for a Construction Growth Foundation scholarship to support her Diploma in Kitchen Design.

By then, she was working full-time and was a mum to two young children. She knew completing the course would require determination, time and encouragement.

“I thought to myself, if I get a scholarship, then this is the universe telling me, ‘I can do this’,” she says.

The scholarship helped cover Renee's course fees, but its impact went beyond financial support. It also gave her a sense that someone was backing her decision to study and believed she could succeed.

“I feel so blessed to have had this scholarship opportunity,” she says.

Small moments with a lasting impact

For Renee, the value of the course came through many experiences rather than one defining moment. She formed a close friendship with a fellow student, learnt from some of New Zealand's leading kitchen designers, and picked up practical tips and techniques she could use in her work.

The course also changed how she approaches communication and decision-making with clients. She now regularly asks herself how she can make information easier to understand and how she can better support people through the selection process.

“Almost everything I've learnt, I've applied to my work,” Renee says.

That includes improving the way she prepares drawings and the information included on them, simplifying standard office forms, and following up conversations by email so clients have a clear written record.

Her studies also expanded her knowledge of the legal responsibilities involved in kitchen design, as well as the principles behind colour, texture, balance and harmony. These insights have helped her identify why some elements work well together and recognise when a space needs further refinement.

Continuing to grow

With her diploma completed, Renee plans to keep creating beautiful, functional spaces for her clients. She is also interested in developing her knowledge of project management within the kitchen industry, while continuing to nurture and grow her family.

Her advice to others considering further study is direct and encouraging.

“Don't sit on the fence. If you've been thinking about it, just do it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain,” she says.

Renee acknowledges that there will be days when study feels manageable and others when people question why they took it on. Her message is to keep moving forward, because little by little, confidence grows.

Renee's story shows that further study can strengthen more than technical knowledge. It can improve the way people communicate, work with clients and approach their role, while opening the door to continued growth.

Congratulations, Renee, on completing your Diploma in Kitchen Design.

Learn more about CGF scholarships and how we support people across the construction sector to continue their learning: https://www.cgf.org.nz/scholarships-training

Image location: Special thanks to MWF Manufacturing https://www.mwf.co.nz/