"Every day I use the knowledge from my degree to help drive business growth for the company".

Like many postgraduate students, Marie Naudi was looking for program that would not only boost her industry skills but offer time-saving study flexibility.

Marie has just completed a Master of Marketing and says that despite living close to Deakin’s two Geelong campuses, the degree’s flexible delivery enabled her to complete the program off-campus in her own time.

‘I actually completed all my units online and didn’t feel the need to head into university except for a few days near exams or to work on group assignments,’ she says.

With a fulltime career in the marketing industry, Marie wanted to upskill by expanding her knowledge of marketing, media and the booming digital domain.

‘I was lucky enough that when I started my course I applied for a job with a national digital marketing agency owned by David Koch and worked there during my studies,’ she says.

Marie is now Business Development Manager with the agency – KBB Digital Australia – where she manages the organisation’s marketing and sales personnel and drives business growth through digital strategies.

‘I also work with high profile clients Australia wide and develop and deliver digital marketing strategies for their campaigns,’ she says.

Deakin’s flexible delivery meant that Marie was able to not only complete her study around work and life commitments, but take speedier route to graduation.

‘Because the course could be taken in Trimester 3, I was able to finish the degree earlier. Some of my lecturers were fantastic – they really put the students first and, without handholding, wanted to see you do well.’

Marie completed her degree with outstanding results which were recognised by a Dean’s Merit Award for academic accomplishment.

In her current management role, she’s already seeing the benefits of postgraduate study.

‘Every day I use the knowledge from my degree to help drive business growth for the company and for those of my clients. No client is the same – I get to think out of the box and put to use my knowledge of digital marketing and the tools available for the benefit of my clients,’ she explains.

While the future may see her fulfil the dream of operating her own marketing consultancy, Marie says that making decisions about career and study paths can often be a journey of discovery.

‘You must enjoy what you study. It took me 10 years after my undergraduate degree to fully know the field I wanted to work in – so that made the decision to go back to university easy. Because I was passionate about the industry, I wanted to study and put the time towards my course. I’m now using this knowledge and applying it every day in the workforce.'