The MBA Diaries: Four Students, Four Career Destinations
What does an entrepreneur, energy solutionist, charity fund coordinator, and leader in disability support have in common? A Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a drive to make an impact.
In this compilation, four of our MBA alumni share their highs, challenges, and advice, offering a varied experience on the journey that is a MBA.
Let’s meet our travellers
Sarah, IT guru advances her skills to develop an online banking business.
Bahar, a former electrical engineering student from Iran, is now a manager addressing complex global energy challenges.
Josh, sold his business to follow his passion for marketing, focusing on supporting families affected by a breast cancer diagnosis.
Kimberly, former speech pathologist to proud business leader supporting children and people with disabilities.
Sarah “I decided to obtain a postgraduate degree to advance further in IT management.”
Bahar “To develop the managerial skills needed for my career aspirations.”
Josh “I’ve always been passionate about creating meaningful connections through marketing and leadership. I found myself deeply inspired by the marketing subjects.”
Kimberly “As a proud deaf woman, I was dedicated to move into a leadership career that contributed to the disability sector.”
Sarah “What drew me back to the University of Newcastle was a mix of past experience, and the flexible study options on offer.”
Bahar “Support of the scholarship I received University and the company I work for.”
Josh “I chose the University of Newcastle because of its strong reputation, focus on practical learning, and its close ties to local industry.”
Kimberly “I was very fortunate to be offered a scholarship, which was a partnership between the University of Newcastle and the non-for-profit organisation I work for.”
Sarah “The content around organisational structure and company strategy has been very useful as my co-founders and I decide how to grow and position our company. In a startup we all wear many hats, so the HR course has also been handy as we grow the team.”
Bahar “In the ‘Leadership in Contemporary Organisations’ course, one of my assignments was a self-analysis portfolio. This portfolio examined my career journey, including mistakes, learnings and more importantly the future of my career and how I can apply new knowledge to my current position.”
Josh “The connections I’ve made through the program have expanded my professional network and opened doors for future opportunities.”
Kimberly “The MBA program was so directly relevant to the work I do every day. I found enormous value in building my knowledge and skills in the technical parts of my role including governance, finance, human resources and marketing.”
Sarah “I needed to balance work, family and study. I was able to do this by completing my degree part-time onlineat a pace where I could fit my study workload around everything else going on in my life.”
Bahar “Balancing work and studies is very difficult, especially since I had to spend my weekends studying. I recommend creating a solid study schedule, even if it only involves insignificant amounts of time on weekdays, to lessen the weekend pressure.”
Josh “One of the biggest challenges was balancing the demands of work and study. However, the program’s flexibility has been a lifesaver. I was able to balance full-time work and other commitments with study. The availability of online and part-time options allowed me to tailor my studies to fit my schedule while still staying engaged with course content and group activities.”
Kimberly “The biggest challenge for me was time. The best advice I was ever given was to complete one subject per Trimester. I found this enabled me to really participate and learn from each subject, while ensuring that studying while working fulltime was achievable.
Sarah “For anyone thinking about postgraduate study, I would say go for it - it will change your life.”
Bahar “Newcastle is an industrial town that also maintains tourism attractions. There are many job opportunities, so choosing the University of Newcastle as the local university makes it easier to find employment after completing this course or even work while studying.”
Josh “Don’t hesitate to take the plunge. The University of Newcastle provides a supportive and flexible learning environment, along with practical opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. Take advantage of every opportunity to network and engage with industry—it’s a game-changer.”
Kimberley “Don’t underestimate yourself. Understand why you want to study and be clear in what you want to achieve and then work out how to make it work.”
Sarah “My business is focused on taking banking services to the customer, instead of the customer to the bank. As a new business owner and co-founder, the knowledge gained throughout the MBA degree has set me up for success”
By combining innovative thinking with the practical skills gained during the MBA, Sarah aims to redefine traditional banking. Her approach reflects a shift in the banking industry—one that prioritises accessibility, and convenience for the customer.
Bahar “I recently became involved in a new portfolio—a newly formed renewable projects department.”
Bahar applies strategic thinking and technical expertise to drive innovative solutions in the renewable energy sector. Her work supports global efforts to help make net zero a reality.
Josh “This journey has been transformational, aligning with my passion for contributing to my community and creating meaningful impact through my work.”
Josh continues to raise awareness and funds to help support people diagnosed with, or being treated for breast cancer, and their families.
Kimberly “Education empowers leadership and leadership drives changes. The MBA has equipped me to lead our organisation in a way that fosters innovation and creates opportunities for our team and families.”
Kimberly is committed to achieving meaningful outcomes for children that support participation and independence in their everyday lives.
Despite their varied backgrounds and future ambitions, these four MBA students share a common truth: the MBA is much more than a degree. It’s a journey that tests resilience, sparks bold ideas, and builds a community of changemakers.
Now in the next chapter of their lives, one thing stands certain, this experience has prepared them to lead and make positive impacts on society.
Feeling inspired and ready to make your impact? Our MBA program is designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge to excel in today's dynamic business environment. Visit the MBA page to find out more and how to apply.
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