Are you seeking to enhance your career prospects, develop your expertise, or secure a lucrative job promotion? Invest in your future with JCU’s Master of Business Administration and gain the knowledge, skills, and experience employers are searching for.
In an increasingly competitive job market it has never been more important to set yourself apart from
the competition. But what is it employers are really searching for in their ideal management candidate?
Dr Damien Wallace, a Senior Lecturer in Financial Technology at James Cook University (JCU), has been investigating CEO characteristics in relation to firm performance and his findings suggest post-graduate qualifications are highly prized.
“The research shows that a practical degree, such as a Masters of Business Administration (MBA), is favourably perceived by the market,” says Dr Wallace, who teaches Financial Principles and Corporate Finance in JCU’s MBA.
“For employers seeking managers with educational training in obtaining finance, JCU’s MBA is attractive because it provides future firm leaders with an understanding of financial markets. And, in part, the valuation of the firm in the market.
“Graduates of the degree are able to identify when to obtain finance, the barriers to financing and valuation models for share price maximisation.”
An alumnus of JCU’s MBA Program, Warren Hunter is Operations Engineer at Incitec Pivot Limited (IPL) and says undertaking the Masters has sharpened his finance skills.
“In the MBA I learnt how to do strong feasibility studies and how to write cost-benefit analyses. This can be the difference between getting a project over the line or the project being rejected,” he says.
“I was attracted to the MBA because I’m hoping to bridge the gap from Engineering into management.
“My favourite part of the degree was the Data Science subjects because they’re so relevant to the work I do as a chemical process engineer at IPL’s Mount Isa plant. I enjoyed analysing data and using the figures to optimise a plan, as well as studying business leaders and how they implement best practice.”
JCU’s MBA degree can be completed in as little as one-and-a-half years when studying full-time (part-time study also available) and can be tailored to align with students’ career goals. Students initially study six core modules covering a broad range of business topics before choosing from a wide variety of majors to specialise in, including: Conflict Management and Resolution, Leadership, Project Management and Entrepreneurship. External and online options are available for study flexibility.
With more than 15 years of executive experience working for major Australian publicly listed companies, the Director of JCU’s MBA program, Damian Scanlon, knows the business world well. Since leaving the corporate environment in late 1998, he has successfully pursued several entrepreneurial opportunities in the aquaculture, software and property industries, both as a shareholder and Executive Director.
“In my role as Director of JCU’s MBA program, I’m focused on students’ personal development,” Damian says.
“It’s about helping them sharpen their critical thinking, take a global outlook and embrace teamwork.”
Click HERE to discover more about JCU’s MBA offerings.
To discuss your journey further, email Director of JCU’s MBA program Damian Scanlon at
