Juggling university while crewing multi-million dollar yachts

Oliver Scott-Mackie at University of Auckland's graduation this week. Photo/Supplied

Student jobs can often be low-paid and unglamorous but not for Oliver Scott-Mackie.

The Tauranga-born 27-year-old supports his studies by crewing multi-million dollar crafts on the international yachting circuit.

Scott-Mackie graduated this week with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Auckland, and is staying on to do a Master degree in supply chain management.

Already this year the former Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club member has raced – and won his division – in the Rolex China Sea Race from Hong Kong to the Philippines.

Scott-Mackie averages about five events a year, each lasting one to two weeks and earns him enough to cover a couple of months' rent. His second student job is sailmaking, a craft he began practicing at age 16 after leaving Tauranga Boys' College.

"I've always loved sailing and the opportunity to go overseas and race while studying is pretty special," he said.

"The contrast between studying and sailing is nice but also quite stressful at times. Many of the events overseas fall at busy times of the semester, like the last week of class, and require me to watch lectures on planes or spend evenings in hotel rooms writing assignments or studying notes to get ready for tests or exams once I get back."

Scott-Mackie said his lecturers had all been supportive and understanding.

"A lot of classmates don't know how I manage to find the balance between studying and travelling for work, but those that do think it's quite awesome. My family help me find the balance, and my partner Mairéad is very supportive."

Scott-Mackie has competed on a Botin 65 yacht named Caro in St Tropez, Malta, Palma and out of the UK, and the Sydney-Hobart race. In Australia he sails a JV 62 in a team called Chinese Whisper; in Asia he races with team Zannekin on a Ker 46, and with team Shatoosh on a Warick 75. For fun, he races 12 foot skiffs from Auckland's Royal Akarana Yacht Club, where he is a member.