The 2011 grounding of the Rena inspired a University of Waikato students to pursue a postgraduate study.

Caleb McSweeney, a self-professed jack of all trades and master of none, recently graduated with a Master of Science (Research) and has gone from being a master of none to a master of one.

Caleb McSweeney, Master of Science (Research) graduate from the University of Waikato in Tauranga.

Caleb, originally from Motiti Island, completed a diploma in marine studies and bachelor of applied science but was motivated to continue his studies with a postgraduate course from the Rena grounding.

Caleb felt that by continuing his studies would help to answer questions from whanau and community. During his time studying, he looked at the effect the Rena disaster had on paua through eco-toxicology lab experiments.

Caleb also was able to work with the chair in coastal science at the University's Coastal Marine Field Station, says Professor Chris Battershill.

'I've been very lucky to study paua and then move into a job growing paua. Aquaculture is the field I enjoy the most and paua, from a cultural perspective, is very important to me," says Caleb.

'Ultimately, the establishment of Waikato University in Tauranga gave me the opportunity to do a postgraduate study near the ocean and my family.”

Now Caleb is the production manager at OceaNZ Blue in Northland – New Zealand's largest paua farming facility. He encourages anyone considering to do a postgraduate study to explore their options.

'It broadened my perspective and taught me how to research, critique and interpret information better and helped me gain confidence in what I know.”