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Gregory Mariotto

Business Unit Manager
International Aerospace Company
Executive Master in Leadership, Strategy and Innovation (E-learning)
Murdoch University Student (2018)

Senior Business Unit Leader Of Aerospace MNC Reveals How An Executive Master's Helped Him To Progress

Tasked with heading an entire business unit in an international aerospace company, Gregory Mariotto is responsible for the Profit and Loss (P&L), manpower and operations management of his unit. Greg (as he prefers to be called) is also very involved in developing strategic plans with the company’s senior management.

Meeting Senior Leadership Expectations

After close to 15 years of service, Greg felt that it was time to further his education as a formal recognition of his current skillset. His decision was also partly driven by the expectations the organisation had of their senior ranking personnel.

“In MNCs, there’s an expectation for business leaders to hold a Master’s Degree or its equivalent. After considering several options, I picked Murdoch University’s Executive Master in Leadership, Strategy and Innovation (E-learning). It was the best choice because it offered content that is highly relevant to my career, a flexible schedule, and the resources for me to study whenever time permits from anywhere in the world,” Greg shared.

Anchored in Leadership, Strategy and Innovation

A driven goal-getter, Greg opined that the Executive Master’s three pillars of leadership, strategy and innovation suited a senior business leader like himself. These competencies helped him to catalyse his team performance, integrate business strategy with operations, and create greater value for his company.

‘The Manager as Performance Coach’ unit gave me greater self-awareness. I found the self-development tools instrumental in creating a more collaborative approach to performance management with my staff,” Greg offered. “Beyond this, the ‘Strategy to Operations’ unit provided helpful case studies to supplement the concepts taught. It has helped me to understand the different strategy models well enough for me to apply what I have learned to improve my business unit’s strategy and deployment.”

Greg was also pleased that the Executive Master in Leadership, Strategy and Innovation (E-learning)’s intensive and modular curriculum allowed him to complete his studies in a year as opposed to a more drawn-out three-year part-time programme.

Why Greg Chose an Executive Master’s Degree over a Master’s Degree

When asked why he picked an Executive Master’s Degree over a Master’s Degree programme, Greg shared his observations, “I noticed while interviewing potential employees that some of the candidates were unable to apply the concepts taught in their Master’s programmes as they didn’t have any working experience. This led me to feel strongly about only taking a programme that builds on first-hand professional experiences, real-life application of concepts, and sharing of best practices amongst participants.

“I gravitated towards Murdoch University’s Executive Master in Leadership, Strategy and Innovation (E-learning) programme because I grew up in Western Australia and am very well aware of Murdoch University’s exemplary reputation. The programme content is highly relevant. I am confident that the knowledge would prove useful in my career where I need to apply leadership principles, strategic thinking and innovative vision,” added Greg.

Beyond the need for relevant work experiences, Greg also felt that the flexibility and online learning opportunities offered by the programme met his demanding schedules.

“My job requires me to travel extensively; sometimes, at a fairly short notice. Executive Master’s e-learning programme delivery mode enables me to catch up with the class from anywhere in the world and at any time - as long as I have an internet connection. I appreciate the ability to view recorded lectures and read e-books as well as other course material from the comfort of my hotel room while I’m travelling,” said Greg.

High Praise for the EMLSI

Greg counts himself lucky as his organisation provides full sponsorship for employees seeking higher education. He shared that the Executive Master’s programme has garnered high praise from the company and that he would definitely to recommend it - albeit with a caveat.

“The experience and diversity of the cohort are extremely important in this programme as it provides different viewpoints, ways of doing things and a variety of solutions to a wide range of problems. A lack of real-world experience before embarking on this Executive Master’s programme may dilute the learning outcomes,” he opined.

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Tang Hui Ling Geraldine

Assistant Manager
Education Industry
Master of Business Administration
Murdoch University Student (2018)

Despite graduating with a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) Degree from NUS, I never put what I learned into practice. I began my career as an administrator in the civil service.

Though comfortable at work, I felt that the job was too deskbound. I nursed a desire to forge a new career in education where I could engage in more social interaction with students and plan events for them.

Unlike others who obtained an MBA to advance their careers in their existing field, my decision to embark on an MBA is to make a career switch. For working professionals like me who want a career switch, an MBA helps to open more doors to different industries and enable me to be more relevant to the industry’s needs.

I invested my MBA from Murdoch University offered through Kaplan in Singapore. I could have the best of both worlds - Murdoch University enjoys an excellent reputation internationally while Kaplan in Singapore is continuously rated as one of the best private institutions in Singapore.

Having an MBA improved my job prospects significantly. I received more job offers when I informed prospective employers that I am currently doing my Master’s Degree.

I can embark on a new career in student relations at an institution of higher learning a lot faster than I anticipated. It was like a dream come true.

I think an MBA education opens our minds to view situations from different perspectives and makes us more agiler in devising solutions.

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Alan Koo

Compliance Officer
Government-linked Company
Master of Business Administration
Murdoch University Graduate (2017)

Having been through 2 retrenchments in my career, I am a great believer of “future-proofing” my job security through constant upskilling and learning. In fact, I credited my continuous training as the factor that gave me the edge to land a managerial role in the public sector, within a month after my second retrenchment.

I was determined to take my MBA after I witnessed how automation could easily displace technical roles, and strategic knowledge would be the key differentiator in taking one’s career further.

As a mature learner, I’m back in class with a huge appetite for knowledge that will empower me. I am an engineer by training and was used to learning fixed methods to solve problems. Through MBA subjects like Strategic Management, I learnt new perspectives and varied approaches to problems. It was a mind-blowing experience that lends deep insight on how to align the micro and macro environments for better competitiveness.

I choose Murdoch MBA due to its affordability and flexibility. It allowed me to complete the programme at a pace that suited me. I deem this is one of the best investments that would pay good future dividends. I also derive joy learning from lecturers with extensive industry experience, and engage with students as partners in learning.

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Valerie Wong

CEO
Bio-Tech, Life and Medical Science Company
Master of Business Administration
Murdoch University Graduate (2017)

During my course of work, I had interviewed many job applicants from junior to managerial positions for the company. I had reviewed many of the applicants’ resumes and observed that their highest academic qualification is a Bachelor's Degree. I knew that to stay competitive and relevant in the market, it is a must for me to attain higher level of academic qualification especially at my current position as a General Manager. I have the interest to further my studies but I had also kept it at bay for the past 8 years until now.

Holding this important role for the company, people look to me for directions. I must have the analytical skills and competency in making sound business decisions for the company. I am confident that I possess the working experience and the know-how in running our businesses.

My company is in the field of Biomedical Science. This fast-growing industry is becoming very challenging and competitive. I played an important role in my company’s expansion plan recently. It is in this very specific situation, the MBA programme has helped me gain better knowledge to connect with what I practice in my company. I have acquired new management techniques, approaches and new skillsets through some of the modules that had enabled me to contribute more efficiently and effectively in my role to the company.

My classmates in the MBA programme, coming from different companies and backgrounds, from civil servants to SME to MNCs, enabled me to access a wider network and further avail opportunities for my company’s business success.

I will definitely recommend this MBA to others given its academic and professional qualification are of recognition value to me.

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Jack Keng

Global Product Portfolio Leader
DuPont Singapore
Master of Business Administration
Murdoch University Graduate (2019)

Well-aware of how skills and knowledge are one of the most valuable assets for my career success, I decided to advance my credentials by pursuing a Master of Business Administration programme with Murdoch University. Beyond my desire to rise up the Corporate ladder, I wanted to broaden my horizons and enhance my ability to exercise reliable judgement, especially in the workplace.

Indeed, modules I undertook during my Postgraduate Degree were extremely useful in developing my open mindset towards analysing certain scenarios. Lessons learnt have not only sharpened my business acumen but also built my confidence and capacity to lead a product development team as part of the marketing aspect of my role.

As the Head of Product Management for the Asia Pacific, I had to travel extensively. With the flexible study schedule that Murdoch provided, I was able to complete the programme by planning my studies in a way that suited my work commitments. Above all, the programme helped to develop my latent potential in paving my career forward. My MBA set me in good stead in paving the way for opportunities to work in various MNCs, and I was fortunate to secure a higher position to manage work in the region as Global Product Portfolio Leader. I am proud to say that my MBA is one of the best investments in helping me stay ahead of the curve and value-add to achieving my company’s goals.

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Chia Teck Chung, Isaac

Mechanical Engineer Section Leader
Exion Asia Pte Ltd
Master in Business Administration
Murdoch University Graduate (2019)

Pursuing an MBA has always been one of my life goals. The MBA programme has helped me get ahead in my career, and offered varied learning experiences through mutual sharing with my group mates. Class discussions were fruitful and served as an excellent avenue for me to accumulate rich knowledge through the exchange of ideas amongst peers and lecturers. What truly stood out for me was the Leading the Engaged Enterprise unit that challenged me to think on my feet and equipped me with invaluable management skills, such as the soft skills to motivate a team towards achieving common goals.

Within six months of attaining my MBA qualification, my company promoted me to Section Leader of the department, where I assumed greater responsibility in overseeing engineering operations. It has equipped me with professional expertise in business administration and leadership, covering units such as Accounting, Strategic Marketing Management and Business Finance, which are essential at the management level. An added advantage of studying this programme, is that it has built my confidence and capacity to tackle similar problems discussed in class within the context of real-life. The wealth of knowledge shared by lecturers has also developed my learning aptitude.

Upon completion, I believe graduates of this MBA programme will emerge as confident, well-rounded individuals equipped to advance in their career.

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Christopher Toh Meng Sung

Lead II Analyst
Global Command Centre, CME Group
Master of Business Administration
Murdoch University Graduate (2018)

Equipped with only a Bachelor of Business (majoring in Economics and Finance), I soon felt that an Accounting specific qualification was necessary to advance my education and career to the next level.

I acquired a postgraduate qualification in MBA (Master of Business Administration) with Murdoch University to raise the bar of my educational objectives and career progression. I found the MBA course relevant to my practical work experiences, offering comprehensive exposure to the analytical tools required to make sound business decisions, and enabling student development in areas such as accounting, marketing, environmental management, electronic business, finance and general management. It provided me many learning opportunities, including networking sessions with my diverse classmates from various industries.

The MBA course was also well-organised and suited to the busy working schedules of professionals like myself, with a timely course duration of a year. Since taking this MBA, I have gained confidence at giving public presentations and answering audience questions. I have honed my communication skills in addition to my analytical and presentation skills, which in turn have empowered my success.

The additional knowledge on corporate finance, negotiation, marketing and accounting acquired from my MBA studies, have also served me well as a Senior Analyst in my company. I am better able to understand people and project management, and cooperate to achieve a united consensus, all essential for managing large scale collaborations.

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Ong Suan Hong, Sharon

Finance Manager
International Firm, Telecommunication Industry
Master of Professional Accounting
Murdoch University Graduate (2018)

In hopes to deepen my professional knowledge that would allow me to perform my job more efficiently and add value to the company, I enrolled into Murdoch University Master of Professional Accounting.

As Finance Manager, my responsibilities already include budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting. Murdoch’s enriching curriculum provided me a helicopter view on a finance perspective, rather than a specific field such as Accounting practices. Understanding the basic requirements and principles of accounting, and having a broader knowledge of financial perspectives helped me and my counterparts evaluate financial situations in an objective manner.

Reflecting on my experience, I not only gained in-depth knowledge in accounting but also new soft skills in people and work management such as coaching others. For a start, the Management Accounting, Accounting Theory and Governance, Accounting Processes, and Taxation Principles modules provided her a new perspective on making informed managerial decisions and report to local authorities. The fresh insights gained from her Master of Professional Accounting gave me greater confidence when reviewing accounting processes with my superior. Overall, I am credit my MBA for enabling me to communicate more effectively with overseas counterparts who use different accounting policies.

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Stuart Way

Security, Risk and Emergency Operations Manager
Emergency Services Organisation (Public Sector) – Western Australia
Executive Master in Leadership, Strategy and Innovation (E-learning)
Murdoch University Student (2019)

I like how Murdoch University tailored the Executive Master in Leadership, Strategy and Innovation programme to deliver an educational experience with a focus that is not on a particular field or profession. It balances theoretical and experience-based learning in both the classroom and ‘real-world’ setting, enhancing knowledge and experience- sharing in class and allowing me to engage with students from a variety of backgrounds.

While doing shift work, the added accessibility to review lectures online via recordings through the Curator and Blackboard Collaborate systems, allows us to engage with fellow students anywhere in real-time. This is a significant benefit for other working professionals and I. My classmates come from a range of industries: oil and gas, aviation, sports administration, not-for-profit charities, and emergency services, giving me a variety of perspectives from understanding of the various business models, key performance indicators to strategy models applied in different industries.

I have been able to directly apply everything learnt in numerous ways within my current career, with particular emphasis on the leadership and strategy themes. I believe my Master’s Degree will place me in good standing for further advancement within my organisation.

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Anna Keen

Regional Manager
International Maritime Company
Executive Master in Leadership, Strategy and Innovation (E-learning)
Murdoch University Graduate (2018)

Aware of the rapidly evolving business landscape, I knew that it was necessary to embrace innovation to drive a forward-looking leadership in my career. As a firm believer of lifelong learning, I chose to advance my studies by pursuing both a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management and Organisational Psychology alongside an Executive Master’s with Murdoch University.

Due to the nature of my work, I have to travel extensively. As such, the fully online programme delivery fits well into my demanding schedule as I can dial in from almost anywhere in the world, allowing me to stay on track with the units. With an emphasis on application, the diverse international perspectives accumulated from my like-minded peers and online support from course facilitators and have been invaluable in producing better business outcomes for my stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region.

I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to participate in activity-based workshops that involved real-world simulations, as this was useful in sharpening my problem-solving skills in a myriad of aspects of my business. To top it off, theories studied in the units Leading from Strategy to Operations and Managing a Global Business has been highly-applicable to my current professional life.

With today’s business marketplace growing increasingly interconnected, I am proud to say that this programme has made me more proficient in applying leadership principles, coherent business strategies, and innovative vision in my work.

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Michael Cusack

Youth Development and Engagement Officer
Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)
Executive Master in Leadership, Strategy and Innovation (E-learning)
Murdoch University Student, Australia (2019)

With increased expectations on non-governmental organisations across the world to deliver effective services to the community, the Executive Master’s programme has provided me with valuable knowledge and practical tools to alleviate the demands, and meet the expectations of my role. Due to the flexible nature of the programme, I can work while studying and am able to immediately implement the skills I learned in the classroom.

The Executive Master’s programme has proven invaluable to my career development, and it has expanded my professional network and provided exposure to industries outside my usual sphere of work.

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Haana Kurmoo

Business Development Manager
Tenant CS Pte Ltd
Executive Master in Leadership, Strategy and Innovation (E-learning)
Murdoch University Student, Australia (2019)

Aspiring to enhance my professional capabilities, I was glad to discover that Murdoch University offered an online programme with a focus on Innovation and Management at an affordable price. Living in this age of digital disruption, studying an Executive Master’s Degree programme would develop my entrepreneurial mindset towards digitising business operations, proving fruitful for my career advancement.

Learning alongside peers from various industries and countries, including Australia and China, has enriched my understanding of core management principles with a global perspective. Through the sharing of diverse work cultures, it has cultivated my mindset towards redefining business strategies and streamlining processes by utilising today’s smart tech.

Indeed, the 100% online programme has accommodated this learning by providing me the luxury to study anywhere, anytime. The convenience of accessing online readings, video journals and podcasts from the comfort of my home, made it easier for me to balance between my work and family responsibilities. Without the need to commute to class at night and to be able to optimise any downtime, the Executive Master’s Degree has brought my learning to a whole new level.

Reflecting on my experience thus far, the knowledge I have gained from the immersive out-of-class curriculum, has been invaluable for putting the changing role of leadership across organisations into perspective. Moving forward, I am excited for more opportunities to network with the Singapore cohort.

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