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Launch your global business career

16 October 2017
Our alumni share where postgraduate study has led them
Postgraduate study in business can open the door to a world of opportunities - whether you want to upskill for the demands of a changing workforce, pursue a new career, gain global experiences or realise a passion.

With a wide range of postgraduate study options - from our Master of Management which is ideal for recent graduates from any area of study looking to dive into a management career; to a specialised business masters, where you'll gain expert knowledge in a particular area; or our flagship MBA program, ranked number one in Australia - you can find your own path for the career you aspire to locally or around the world.

Find out where some of the journeys of our alumni have taken them.

Henrietta Ellice-Flint

From the ballet to the boardroom, consulting on a global stage

Henrietta Ellice-Flint left school at 15 to study ballet full time, attending the Australian Ballet School followed by the National College of Dance, where she graduated as Dux. In 2009, she embarked on a Bachelor of Arts (Art History and Japanese), before going on to complete a Master of Commerce. She was immediately recruited by global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company to a role that has taken her around the world, working for clients as diverse as fashion retailers in New York, mining companies in Papua New Guinea and a spirits manufacturer in London. She is now managing teams, and says the transition has been one of her proudest career moments.

One thing she still always takes in her carry-on bag? Her ballet shoes. Unbeknown to her team members, she does a barre routine in her hotel room before she starts each day.

Henrietta Ellice-Flint
Associate, McKinsey & Company
Bachelor of Arts (Arts History and Japanese), Master of Commerce, 2013

Raja Alsaffar

Advocating for the talent of others

Raja Alsaffar was born and raised in Saudi Arabia. She completed undergraduate studies in health sciences at the University of Sydney, and later decided to add to her skillset with a Master of Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations.

Her career has taken her back home, where she worked in a variety of roles with GE Healthcare, including leading the education and training development for GE Saudi Arabia. This year she joined Johnson & Johnson in a role which sees her driving the HR strategy for the global company in the region. Raja says her proudest accomplishments include the opportunity to advocate for the talent of others and support those individuals in their career and leadership journeys.

Raja Alsaffar
Human Resources Business Partner, Johnson & Johnson
Master of Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations, 2015

The corporate world is very challenging. I believe I have a role to play in reminding our future leaders to lead with their own values. Seeing people grow in their abilities and confidence is extremely rewarding.
Raja Alsaffa
Will Edwards, Archie Rose

Revitalising Sydney's inner suburbs

Will is the Founder and Chief Executive of Archie Rose Distilling Co, the first distillery to hit Sydney since the 1850s.

For Will, the Master of Management was an ideal degree, giving him the fundamentals across all areas of business. “It’s great if you want to start your own business. You’re not going to exit the degree as an expert in accounting, finance or supply chain management. But you’re going to have a handle on every aspect, so that when all these things pop up, and they will, you will know the basics of what you’ve dealing with, and can figure out what you don’t know.”

Will Edwards
Founder and Chief Executive, Archie Rose Distillery Co
Master of Management, 2012

Will Edwards, Founder and Chief Executive of Archie Rose Distilling Co (Master of Management '12)

Michael Pirog

Connecting online communities around health and fitness

Michel Pirog is working with Sports Heroes Group to create unique sporting communities and build innovative digital platforms for some of the biggest brands in the world through a specialised marketing platform.

He says about 75 percent of runners use a connected device to track their runs. “Looking at the explosion of connected fitness, we thought why not ‘gamify’ the entire experience and reward people for being active.”

While he admits that the start-up life often means long working hours, lower salary and somewhat chaotic day-to-day work – he believes everyone has it in them to be entrepreneurial, and embracing the start-up culture is a unique opportunity to have broader responsibilities, get hands-on experience and work with inspiring people.

Michel Pirog
Head of Business Development AU/NZ, Sport Heroes Group
Master of Management (CEMS), 2014

Georgia Knox

Bringing spoken word entertainment to new audiences

Georgia Knox began her career as a lawyer before moving to APN News & Media (now HT&E: Here, There & Everywhere), where she worked in a variety of roles culminating in Manager, Corporate Development. Today she lives in New York and is Director, Technical Advisor – International at Audible Inc., a division of Amazon and the world’s leading provider of audiobooks and other spoken-word entertainment.

Georgia started with Audible three years ago, in the middle of her MBA at the Business School. She was one of the first employees of its Australian operations and was instrumental in building a business and a reputable brand, as well as growing a new category of entertainment for Australian audiences. It also opened the door to her current role.

Georgia Knox 
Director, Technical Advisor – International, Audible Inc.
Master of Business Administration, 2016

One of the strongest lessons I have learned is that it is okay not to have all the answers, and that having a solid team that loves and believes in what they do counts for a lot more.
Georgia Knox
Maria Rodriguez

Capturing cultural insights to meet the demands of the global tech sector

Maria is invested in new trends and cutting-edge technology, a passion that has led to over 12 years in international marketing in B2B, B2C and B2B2C within the software and telecom industry. She is currently based in Spain as the Director of Marketing and Communications at Fon, a multinational telecommunications company that specialises in WiFi. Maria leads Fon’s communication, marketing, and design activities globally for clients which include British Telecom, the Deutsche Telekom Group, KPN, Cosmote, SoftBank, Telstra and Vodafone, among others.

Maria choose the University of Sydney Business School early in her career because she has always believed very clearly in the importance of cross-cultural management.

“There are global needs that require local marketing execution to capture different cultural insights.”

María R. Juez
Director of Marketing and Communication, Fon
Master of International Business, 2006

Liam French

Managing supply chains in the global music industry

Liam French has spent the last 10 years working in the electronic musical instrument industry for a global manufacturing company. As Supply Chain and Operations Manager, he is integral in the continuous improvement of both international and domestic supply chains and the development of strategic business processes. By returning to study as a mature aged student, Liam says he developed the skills to remain competitive in the growing area of global supply chains.

Liam French
Supply Chain & Operations Manager, Roland Corporation Australia
Graduate Diploma of Logistics Management, 2016

I was equipped with the technical knowledge and, just as importantly, developed my strategic thinking abilities with the skills and confidence to convey this information more effectively. I feel empowered to share this new-found knowledge on a global level because it was born from best practice in the industry.
Liam French
Claire Robbs

Supporting Australia's most vulnerable

Claire has devoted her entire career to supporting vulnerable people, beginning as a disability support worker, and ultimately leading one of the largest not-for-profit organisations in the country, making an extraordinary difference to people’s lives along the way.

She began her work at Life Without Barriers in 2004 as a manager overseeing 45 staff. In 2011 Claire became the first female Chief Executive of the organisation, which now has an annual income of $400m and more than 4000 staff, delivering services to more than 11,000 vulnerable people in 305 communities across Australia.

“The Executive MBA was a fantastic, rewarding experience. It challenged my traditional view of leadership, helping me understand my own impact and how to empower my team.”

Claire Robbs
Chief Executive, Life Without Barriers
Executive MBA ’11

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