A childhood experience on a construction site set University of Auckland student Logos Choi on the path to a future in property. Today, he’s combining academic excellence, industry connections, and leadership to build a career in one of New Zealand’s most connected industries.
A Childhood Site Visit That Changed Everything
Sometimes a career begins with a single moment. For Logos Choi, that moment came when he was just 11 years old.
His father, a psychiatrist, decided to help build the family’s home in Tauranga, giving Logos a front-row seat to the entire construction process. “Maybe that unconsciously sparked my interest in property.” Watching a project evolve from bare land into a finished home planted a seed that would eventually shape his future.
Choosing Property at the University of Auckland
Now in his third year at the University of Auckland, Logos is studying a conjoint degree in Commerce and Property, specialising in property valuation and property advisory.
Even outside the classroom, property remains a major part of his life. His part-time job involves photographing homes for real estate agents, giving him another perspective on the industry while building practical experience. For Logos, property isn’t simply what he studies – it’s become part of his everyday life.
Stepping Outside His Comfort Zone
The confident young leader people meet today is very different from the student who attended Auckland’s Macleans College. Academically successful but naturally reserved, Logos made a conscious decision when university began.
“When I got to university, I decided I didn’t want to be an introvert all my life, so I made the decision to step out of my comfort zone.”
That decision transformed his university experience. Rather than staying on the sidelines, Logos immersed himself in campus life. He joined the Eastern Students’ Association (ESA) – one of Auckland’s largest socio-cultural student clubs -where his leadership journey quickly gained momentum. After serving as Treasurer and helping strengthen the club’s financial position, he was elected President. Alongside his leadership responsibilities, he regularly competes in property and business case competitions, including events hosted by major industry firms such as Bayleys. Despite a busy schedule, he continues to achieve strong academic results and still finds time for one of his favourite hobbies – bouldering.
For Logos, each of these experiences has helped develop the communication, leadership and problem-solving skills that complement his academic studies and prepare him for a career in property.
Why Property Was the Right Career Choice
When considering his future, property stood out because it combined everything he was looking for. “The tight-knit property community is something unique compared to other industries, as everyone is connected and will likely work around or alongside your university peers.” Equally important is the industry’s emphasis on relationships. That sense of community became clear during his first year through the University of Auckland’s Buddy Programme, where he met professionals from leading organisations including CBRE and Bayleys.
The Value of a Keystone Scholarship
Receiving a Keystone Property Scholarship at the end of his second year further strengthened Logos’ connection to the property industry.
Beyond the financial support, the scholarship has given him the opportunity to learn from an industry mentor, and build lasting relationships with fellow scholarship recipients and property professionals across New Zealand.
“I’d definitely be less connected to the property industry without Keystone, which has such a great network of people.”
For Logos, those connections have become one of the scholarship’s greatest benefits, providing a professional network that will continue to support him well beyond university.
A Personal Transformation
Perhaps the biggest change has been personal rather than professional.
The once-introverted student now describes himself as naturally extroverted—a transformation he attributes to stepping outside his comfort zone, the support of the Keystone community, and the encouragement of his family.
“My parents are really supportive of everything I do—so long as I put my heart into it.”
That mindset continues to guide him as he builds a career founded on curiosity, relationships, and a genuine passion for property.
Looking Ahead
After that first childhood experience on a construction site, Logos is excited to experience many more as he progresses through university and into the profession.
The career he imagines is one that combines office work with time on-site—travelling between developments, solving problems, and working alongside people who share the same passion for property.
It’s a future that feels like a natural continuation of the journey he began over a decade ago.
The support of organisations like Vincent Capital makes stories like Logos’ possible. Through their partnership with Keystone Trust, talented students gain access to scholarships, mentoring and invaluable industry connections – helping build confident future leaders and a stronger property industry for generations to come.
