AGSM student clubs play a pivotal role in MBA experience

AUTHOR: Editor   DATE: 01.05.07   ISSUE 1, 2007

Having just been elected the AGSM Student Society President for 2007, Mr Van Clief is confident in the value and scope of the AGSM student clubs.

“Business school programs groom future business leaders. I think student clubs are a critical component of business schools, as they hone students’ management, leadership and organisational skills,” said Mr Van Clief.

Mr Van Clief recognises that studying for an MBA can be very rigorous and competitive, and students may develop a myopic focus on their studies.

He believes participation in student clubs can help alleviate this.

“AGSM’s clubs represent an informal way for students to increase their knowledge and experience in a particular area, network with peers and the industry, and deepen their MBA experience,” he said.

"It is through clubs and activities that students are exposed to a broad array of different experiences, skills sets and perspectives outside their studies," said AGSM Student Society President Daniel Van Clief.

Photo: Danny Van Clief

“AGSM’s student society consists of 10 clubs. The Asian Business Club aims to foster an understanding of doing business in Asia. We encourage close interaction between students from AGSM’s Sydney and Hong Kong campuses.

The CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Club aims to increase awareness and knowledge of corporate social responsibility within the AGSM MBA programs. The club hosts two annual events to raise funds for charity.

“The Consulting Club provides students with information about the consulting industry and consulting firms in Australia. The FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) Club aims to increase exposure of the AGSM community to consumer-focused industries such as retail.

“There’s also the Finance Society, which is perfect for those wishing to develop a career in the corporate finance and financial services fields, and the ICE (Innovation, Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship) Club, for those with the entrepreneurial spirit.

“The Marketing Club aims to open doors for students who are exploring possibilities of a career in Marketing, and the PhaB (Pharmaceutical, Health and Biotech) Club seeks to educate the AGSM community on the exciting career opportunities in the Pharmaceutical, Health and Biotech industries.

“The Women in Management (WIM) club and the Wine Club both aim to foster a sense of community and collaboration, and provide a forum where long term relationships and a sense of community are built.

“As well as providing a diversity of experiences, the clubs offer students networking opportunities and further facilitate the relationship between AGSM and business communities all over the world.

"Student clubs are a critical component of business schools."

“The role of AGSM’s Student Society and its clubs is to liaison between the School and the larger business community,” Mr Van Clief said. “The clubs are the vehicle for access to business communities and career opportunities outside the School.”

“One of the highlights of our activities calendar is the AGSM Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Club’s participation at this year’s international CSR conference in Shanghai,” Mr Van Clief said. “AGSM is sending two student representatives to the conference, Ray O’Neill, our CSR President, and Linda Graves.”

“Another highlight is AGSM Student Society Vice President Mark Hudson representing the School at the 2007 Graduate Business Conference in Singapore.”

Mr Hudson spoke at the conference, which also featured keynote speaker Mr Lee Hsien Loong, the Prime Minister of Singapore. Mr Hudson explored the topic of student clubs in business schools, and how they have been beneficial in bringing together AGSM’s multicultural student society.

AGSM boasts a multicultural student society of 36 different nationalities. Such diversity enhances all aspects of student life, particularly the student clubs.

“It is through clubs and activities that students are awarded a broad array of different experiences, skills sets and perspectives outside their studies,” Mr Van Clief said.

“AGSM has encouraged its students to become involved with the different clubs and societies. It is a reflection of the School’s emphasis on leadership, management, and networking skills.”