How my MBA changed my view of business

Griffith University MBA graduate Jennifer Cheung says the degree changed her view of business.

Griffith University MBA graduate Jennifer Cheung

I am sitting here on Darug country reflecting on my career over the last few years and how my Griffith MBA has impacted my current career trajectory.

I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to work in some really small businesses to some really big businesses.

I’ve worked in a six person construction company where I was the seventh person to join, up to some of the largest in the world. I’ve worked in the pharmaceutical industry, in Australia’s largest airline, the world’s largest car manufacturer, and now I am at Australia’s largest retailer. I’ve also worked pro bono in not-for-profits.

I’ve worked as a finance professional for the majority of my career. I’m a CPA, but I’ve also been lucky enough to move out of finance into project roles and operational roles.

I took an extended career break and when I rejoined the workforce after my second baby my confidence took an enormous hit. I was working in a new company, working in M&A which I had never worked in before.

I was very disoriented. Studying an MBA was always part of my development plan and I thought that would be a good way to grow my confidence.

So I started researching different MBAs. At which point I found they all looked really similar. So as any good finance professional does, I set up a spreadsheet. I looked at rankings and each MBA’s unique value proposition.

So when I stumbled across the Griffith MBA with sustainability focused values I was all in. Sustainability is something that I am very passionate about. I care deeply for people and truly believe we have a responsibility to look after each other and leave the planet in a better state than when we received it.

The key highlight for me of the Griffith MBA was course work with a sustainability thread all the way through the material. The content really resonated with me. It connected me with like minded individuals, so group assignments while hard, were also very rewarding. It also demonstrated to me in a really practical way how to build in sustainability values and thinking into my day to day role as a commercial professional. That was a real mindset shift for me as up until then, I worked in organisations where profit was the single reason for operating. It had always felt uncomfortable to me and now I saw it could be different.

I’m now working at Australia’s largest retailer. The sustainability values of the organisation are strong. Doing the right thing is front of mind and decisions are made through that lens. I’m supporting an incredibly ambitious sustainability plan where the leadership team driving that plan inspire me every day. They are values led, for-purpose people and I am seeing first hand that values and purpose can lead to great commercial outcomes. I am so proud to be part of the team. Funnily this role would not have been an opportunity for me had it not been for me going to an interview for a different role – and talking about my recent graduation for the Griffith sustainability focused MBA.

The hiring manager heard my passion for sustainability and offered me a trial role for a four month fixed term contract. Two and a half years later I’m still here and loving every single day.

Jennifer Cheung is an MBA graduate from Griffith University.