Many believe that study toward an academic qualification is something beyond their capabilities. They think university study will be too hard and something they can’t fit in around their busy work roles. This was true of Bronwyn Morris, Program Services Coordinator, here at the Graduate School of Business, QUT.
Bronwyn was nervous about enrolling in the Enterprise Leadership program because she had not had any experience of university study. It was the flexibility of the Enterprise Leadership program, with professional development modules leading into academic credentialled units, that helped Bronwyn to ease into university study and achieve her dream of gaining a university qualification. As she says, she was able to ‘dip her toe in with a professional development module and decide later if I would attempt the full Graduate Certificate.’
Bronwyn was amazed at how much she enjoyed each of the four subjects she undertook, including the engaging facilitators, the real-world approach to the topic, and the range of interesting industry guest speakers. Even though she has completed her Graduate Certificate in Business (Enterprise Leadership) she is coming back to do a few more professional development modules.
Well done Bronwyn for your investment in your skills and future career development. We are proud of you!
Read about Bronwyn’s journey in Enterprise Leadership below.
Who or what influenced/inspired you to apply?
I was encouraged by my supervisor to enrol, but at the time I was nervous about doing a university qualification as I’d never studied at that level before. I thought I’d dip my toe into the water with the professional development module and decide later if I would attempt the full Graduate Certificate.
During my first unit, after completing the professional development module the facilitator explained what the requirement for the credential unit would be and it didn’t seem too scary so I decided to go for it.
What was your personal growth story?
I’d never studied at University level before. I’d wanted to when I graduated from high school but my scores weren’t high enough, so I started working full time instead. I completed vocational training during this time (a Certificate III in Information Technology, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and Diploma in Business Administration), but I always had this fear that I wouldn’t be successful at University stemming back to my high school results.
So, when this opportunity was presented to me I wasn’t prepared to make the commitment to the Graduate Certificate because I wasn’t sure I could succeed. I was particularly nervous about the academic writing aspect as I’d never had to do that before, but the facilitators were so supportive in that aspect, and the feedback I received for each assessment never felt critical, which helped me absorb it and learn from it.
How did this study transform you and the organisation that you work for?
I’ve been a supervisor/team leader in previous roles and in my current role, but the course gave me a fresh way of looking at situations, and the opportunity to listen and learn from those also studying.
With each unit made up of a different cohort of students, there were always new experiences to observe and the facilitators were really open with sharing their experience and also really helpful with answering questions and guiding me in the right direction with the study.
Because the assessments for each unit required me to focus on a situation at my workplace instead of a theoretical situation, I could take the learnings and put them to practical use immediately.
What was the highlight of your study experience?
The belief that I could not just complete the course but also succeed in it. The confidence that the whole process gave me.
After achieving the Graduate Certificate – I went on to do other professional development modules. Not only could I see the value I gained because of the real-world application of what I was learning – but also, I enjoyed it!”
What advice would you give to someone looking at trying to do what you have done?
Believe in yourself. Trust that there are people out there to support you through the journey such as peers, facilitators, work colleagues, and also to enjoy the journey.
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Did you know…
Participating in the ELP program can give you credit into our MBA and Masters of Business programs. Find out more
