MBA(I) student Steve Dowling believes student engagement is the key to greater learning.
As a small business owner, Steve Dowling needed flexibility and convenience before undertaking the commitment of postgraduate studies.
A strategic marketer, business advisor and facilitator, Steve’s consultancy business helps organisations develop critical thinking and strategic solutions to expand internationally, improve their bottom line performance, growth prospects and profitability.
He wanted a qualification that not only matched his professional and personal needs but one that stretched beyond a standard MBA degree.
After investigating a range of MBA offerings, he decided on a Master of Business Administration (International) at Deakin’s Melbourne Burwood Campus.
‘The campus is in my neighbourhood and I also liked the context and content of the MBA International program as it’s more tailored to the needs of my business,’ he says.
Over the past 30 years Steve has worked in both domestic and international business development and marketing roles across a range of multi-national and small private organisations and he needed an MBA program with an international focus.
Studying with a diverse range of domestic and international students, the program has broadened his international perspective while also delivering the flexibility to complete units around his personal and professional commitments.
‘The course is straightforward with relevant content that’s oriented to an international context. I’m also not feeling very pressured as I’m able to complete one unit at time and there’s helpful guidance from the lecturers.’
Studying part-time, Steve has been able to utilise the extensive resources at the Deakin Library and says actively participating in lectures and class discussion is essential to study success.
‘It’s important to not be shy when it comes to asking questions and to engage in the lectures and not be hesitant in throwing up ideas as you never know which idea may be successful in the future! I believe that more student engagement, the greater the experience of learning.’