It is wonderful to hear from Katie Bickerton that her experience in Enterprise Leadership has given her the skills to make a stronger contribution to her organisation. Katie is our Executive Centre Coordinator here at the Graduate School of Business, so I was able to watch her growth at close range.
Katie’s story is similar to many of our program participants. She was initially nervous about enrolling in the Graduate Certificate in Business (Enterprise Leadership), the optional credential component of the program. Katie had not had any experience with academic work but found the design and delivery of the program gave her the confidence to succeed.
Well done Katie. We are proud of you.
Read about Katie’s journey in Enterprise Leadership below.
Who or what influenced/inspired you to apply?
I was in need of a challenge as well as some framework and further foundational skills to better myself in my role as a leader. I did the Graduate Certificate purely due to the fact that I could choose units that would apply in my real-world working situation and that I could implement on a daily basis.
What was your personal growth story?
Having worked in my organisation for the last six years I have been witness to a great deal of change in the team, the way we operate, and how we need to adapt and embrace different challenges. I had the realisation that I needed to invest in myself so that I could help drive change and be part of the solution in helping our business thrive.
How did this study transform you / or the organisation that you work for?
It has given me the confidence to step into opportunities that I would normally shy away from and has given me great frameworks to use for a range of different situations. From understanding people to creating change, I have a whole tool kit that I can now tap into.
What was the highlight of your study experience?
Not having done any university studies before I was unsure how I would go in the academic world and whether I was actually smart enough to do well. The delivery and the content was provided in a way that did not feel overwhelming. In fact, as I completed each unit, my confidence in my abilities and the realisation that “I can actually do this” spurred me on to the next unit. When my final grades came in I surprised myself with what I was able to achieve. I really could do it and not only just do it but do it really well!
What advice would you give to someone looking at trying to do what you have done?
Give yourself permission to invest in yourself.
I didn’t realise what I was capable of until I took a brave step and invested in my future. The outcome has been an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the opportunity that I was given. I can now invest these skills and this knowledge back into my organsation and share my knowledge for the good of the company. It’s not just for you, it’s for others too.
Katie Bickerton
June 2020
Did you know…
Participating in the ELP program can give you credit into our MBA and Masters of Business programs. Find out more.
