Boundless opportunities – and the case for the regional career move

AUTHOR: Deborah Tarrant   DATE: 21.09.05   ISSUE 2, 2005

Just as business has shifted its sights to the vibrant, emerging markets of Asia, the greatest potential for new career opportunities lies within this region. In recruitment terms, Burley observes, Australia is a mature market and offers jobs in a sophisticated, world-class environment; whilst Asia is growing fast and thus provides the opportunity to join companies in an exciting, developmental phase.

"Thinking regionally opens an exciting and abundant range of career opportunities."
ILLUSTRATION: Greogory Baldwin

"Thinking regionally opens an exciting and abundant range of career possibilities right now,” says Burley whose own career has spanned executive search and in-house recruiting across the financial sectors of the UK, Asia and Australia. Her role at AGSM is to help students to explore their new horizons and to gain the best jobs after MBA graduation.

Burley has developed a range of new initiatives with an Asian emphasis to accelerate the emerging opportunities for talented executives in the region, including:

1) The appointment of a Hong Kong-based recruiter working specifically for AGSM. The recruiter is assisting students seeking opportunities in North Asia and promoting the School to Asian companies.

2) Introduction of an Asian MBA student club to foster contacts and introductions within the region.

3) A focus on multinationals – either Asian companies with Australian offices or Australian companies moving into the rapidly developing markets of Asia, in particular India and China. Executives from these companies are invited to visit the School and share their experiences and market knowledge with the students.

In recruitment terms, Burley observes, Australia is a mature market and offers jobs in a sophisticated, world-class environment; whilst Asia is growing fast and thus provides the opportunity to join companies in an exciting, developmental phase.

Clearly, seeking opportunities in new frontiers holds an element of risk, Burley points out, but “most people complete an MBA in order to start their career or transition it across functions or industry. It’s a broadening experience, about change, new beginnings and diversity, so it makes sense for AGSM graduates – and others – to take the skills they’ve learned here across these emerging business environments.”

On top of this, the MBA is a highly valued qualification in Asian companies where “uber-talent” and strategic leadership skills are actively sought. “Firms in Asia hire MBA graduates and run MBA programs as part of active succession planning. They routinely boost the leadership pipeline by bringing in fresh talent this way.”

"Students look to an MBA qualification to provide a catalyst in their career, both in terms of opportunity and earning power."

PHOTO: Taek Young (Anne Burley)

At AGSM’s Career Centre, Burley heads a team dedicated to assisting students with their next career move. Realistically, students look to an MBA qualification to provide a catalyst in their career, both in terms of opportunity and in their earning power, she says. In the broad context of a career, an MBA is a launch pad where the learning from top management educators fuels the student’s own enthusiasm and energy.

In the mix of job search initiatives regularly coordinated by the School is an annual on-campus Careers Week where management consultancies and other prospective employers showcase opportunities and meet with students.

"AGSM students are highly regarded by the global business community."

The Career Centre also publishes and markets students’ CV books (also available online) to potential employers and recruiters. For the first time this year part-time MBA (Executive) students, most of whom are currently employed, are included in ‘blind’ CV books: these blind CVs have no identifying details listed, but serve as an effective means of promoting students seeking fresh opportunities to prospective employers.

The Centre offers training programs, information resources, advice (Career Assessment workshops are scheduled prior to Careers Week) and counselling.

AGSM’s Career Centre posts relevant positions to the jobs online bulletin board providing employers, corporate partners, alumni and students with the chance to advertise, search or respond to professional job opportunities. A Careers Leader self-assessment program is also available online.

Internships and ‘live’ management projects with business are also arranged to offer MBA students practical business experience as well as exposure to potential employers.

Professional experience in recruiting has shown Burley that AGSM MBA students are highly regarded by the global business community, due to the credibility of the School, the quality of the faculty, and its teaching and research. Further enhancing its reputation are international exchanges with a number of world leading management education facilities, such as Wharton School of Business in Pennsylvania and the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

The MBA is a highly valued qualification in Asian companies where 'uber-talent' and strategic leadership skills are actively sought."

Most often, networking will play a critical role in advancing a career. The ‘who-you-know’ factor is as important in the job search phase as it is throughout an MBA program. MBA courses deliver an instant network by bringing together people from different backgrounds – diverse sectors, roles and cultures – and putting them all in the same class to learn together. The network is broadened by access to AGSM’s 10,000 strong alumni in 68 countries, and the Advisory Council of many of Australia’s pre-eminent business leaders.

In the last two years, almost two-thirds of AGSM’s MBA graduates found their next job through networking and their business connections. “In an organization such as AGSM which attracts the best people from around the world, the benefits of networking with the alumni, students and the companies that come to campus cannot be underestimated,” insists Burley.

"Networking will play a critical role in advancing a career."

In addition to the MBA courses, student clubs play an important role in networking, allowing students to build contacts within their specific area of career focus or interest. Burley has boosted the number of student clubs within AGSM to include technology, biotechnology, FMCG, consumer, and the Asian club.

Industry experts are invited to speak at student club seminars, round tables and panel discussions. This provides students with opportunities to meet experts in their preferred industry sector while also providing business people and potential employers with opportunities to meet AGSM students.

In the last two years, two-thirds of AGSM’s MBA graduates found their next job through networking and their business connections.

In instances where companies are unable to visit the campus to meet students, Burley has organised a road show, which allowed students to meet firms in locations outside NSW, especially within the engineering, mining and heavy industry sectors. Most recently second year full-time MBA students interested in roles in infrastructure and resources firms traveled to Brisbane and Melbourne to meet executives from a number of companies in these sectors.

Internships offer another introductory opportunity between students and industry. Increasing numbers of companies are being invited to provide internships to final year AGSM students. In line with trends in US business schools, Burley’s aim is to see all students given this work experience opportunity, not least because it delivers two-way benefits. “It’s a chance for companies to ‘try before they buy’ in the recruitment process,” she says. It also offers the chance to think outside the square in people selection. Organisations have less commitment when taking on an intern, and this allows them to make more adventurous choices, “often with surprising, and very positive results,” Burley observes.