Finding Direction Through Discovery, Patrick Van Workum

Many Year 13 students worry about not knowing what they want to do when they leave school. Some even head to university undecided about their career path. Patrick Van Workum, who graduated from Lindisfarne College in 2016, was in exactly that situation, but he didn’t allow uncertainty to hold him back. Instead, he embraced the challenge and discovered a passion that would lead him to the cutting edge of scientific innovation.

Patrick admits that when he left Lindisfarne, his future was far from clear. “Honestly, when I left Lindisfarne, I had no idea where I'd end up,” he reflects. “I just knew I wanted to study something I enjoyed learning about.” That curiosity led him to explore psychology, commerce, and pure mathematics before settling on physics and statistics, subjects that captured his imagination and kept him engaged through countless late nights. “Not because I had to study them,” he adds, “but because I wanted to understand them.”

After graduating from Victoria University of Wellington in 2021 with a degree in Physics and Statistics, Patrick’s journey took him to Switzerland, where he completed a Master of Science in Physics at the University of Zurich. His master’s thesis focused on developing an algorithm to improve the efficiency and resolution of single-photon X-ray detectors, technology that enhances medical and scientific imaging. The university recognized the potential of his work, employing him to continue the research and transform it into a commercial product. His efforts were further acknowledged with the prestigious UZH Digital Innovation Grant, which supports researchers in launching start-ups based on their discoveries. “It’s exciting to think this technology could one day help hospitals and research labs with their important work,” Patrick says.

While his achievements are impressive, Patrick is quick to credit the foundation laid during his time at Lindisfarne. “Any school can teach you to pass NCEA and get into university, but Lindisfarne went further. It taught me resilience and persistence, to keep pushing forward even when things get difficult. Setbacks happen all the time, but the ability to persist through these challenges, to get back up and try again, is what ultimately leads to the most satisfying moments.”

Patrick’s story is not only about academic success but also about broadening horizons. One of his most memorable experiences was traveling across Europe during his undergraduate years. “Growing up in New Zealand, you don't realize how isolated we are until you're in the middle of Europe, where you can hop on a train or bus and be in a completely different country within hours,” he says. “It puts things in perspective; New Zealand is a beautiful home, but there's an entire world out there to experience.”

For current Lindisfarne students wrestling with uncertainty about their future, Patrick offers advice grounded in experience: “The most important thing I've learned since leaving Lindisfarne is this: we become what we think about. It sounds simple, but it's true If you spend your time thinking about and working toward something that genuinely excites you, not what your parents want, not what seems most prestigious or profitable, but what you actually want to pursue, that's where you'll find success.” He urges students to think critically and take ownership of their choices. “Don't just do what everyone else is doing or telling you to do without knowing why. Think about what you want your life to be about. Then focus your mind on that goal and take action toward it every single day, even in small ways.”

Patrick concludes with a challenge that reflects both resilience and courage: “In life, the only real failure is not trying at all. Take the opportunities that excite you, even if they're uncertain. As Earl Nightingale said, "You have nothing to lose, but a life to win." I'd add: in life, the only real failure is not trying at all.  Direct your thoughts toward what you want to achieve, and don't be afraid to take a path that looks different from everyone else's. That's where life really begins.”