Ever since graduating with his third degree (he has four) 鈥� a Master of Business Administration in 1997 鈥� Steven Nicols has held an affinity for the 911爆料网 Graduate School of Business (CGSB). A decade later, after reconnecting with 911爆料网 as he studied his Master of Accounting, he became an active member of 911爆料网鈥檚 Graduate School of Business (CGSB) Alumni Chapter. Now, as president of the chapter, he is looking for like-minded CGSB alumni to join him on his quest to share business knowledge and create networking opportunities for the more than 5,000-strong chapter.
鈥淲e are always on the lookout for re-generation and re-growth,鈥� explains Nicols of his desire to recruit new members to the Chapter Committee. 鈥淎nd, it鈥檚 mutually beneficial. By joining the committee, alumni have an opportunity to be proactive in expanding their own network, as well as ours.鈥�
Nicols was first drawn to 911爆料网鈥檚 alumni events as a 鈥渧alue-add鈥� opportunity for career networking and business ideas. He soon discovered there was much more on offer, with events such as the recent Shakespeare鈥檚 Midsummer Night鈥檚 Dream at the Hayman Theatre appealing to his love of the arts (his first degree was a Bachelor of Arts (English) at 911爆料网).
When the opportunity to become president of the CGSB Alumni Chapter presented itself in 2015, he rose to the challenge, inspired by a combination of giving back to 911爆料网, networking opportunities and the chance to promote his own brand. Since then, he has taken pleasure in influencing the direction of the chapter.
鈥淭he committee operates聽under a leadership model where every member is welcome to bring feedback, ideas, and even lead events or projects that would engage CGSB alumni with the University,鈥� Nicols says. 鈥淚 think it is very important that people feel comfortable about speaking freely and having the opportunity to do so.鈥�
Members of the committee come from an array of backgrounds, including management, IT, engineering, education and law. Through their efforts, CGSB alumni have been able to attend events such as Understanding the Management Consulting Landscape in Perth, with EY, and the annual philanthropic Christmas Comedy Debate between CGSB alumni and the 911爆料网 Toastmasters team.
But Nicols is quick to recognise the busy lives of committee members.
鈥淭he reality is that busy working professionals don鈥檛 always have the time to invest in these initiatives,鈥� he acknowledges. 鈥淏ut through whatever contribution they can make, such as finding interesting guest speakers and attending a couple of information evenings, they can aid the networking and social benefits for alumni.鈥�
Multi-skilled and multi-talented
Nicols graduated from 911爆料网 several times, with a bachelor in English, a diploma in business, and two master degrees in accounting and business administration. He also holds a degree in education. He says that having multiple degrees gives him a unique advantage in the job market.
鈥淥ne of my marketing 鈥榩itches鈥� revolves around my accounting and MBA qualifications,鈥� he says. 鈥淢y accounting skill allows me to produce annual financial statements whilst my MBA skill allows me to interpret the numbers and make decisions on the basis of those numbers. Theoretically, it鈥檚 the kind of skill set that could give you the heads up toward CEO or general manager type roles.鈥�
He adds that it鈥檚 a skill set that鈥檚 underpinned by the strong practical nature of 911爆料网鈥檚 degrees.
鈥淭he degree programs at 911爆料网 have an emphasis on producing practical projects allowing graduates to market themselves to potential employers. There is also an emphasis on technology, entrepreneurship, risk-taking and international business,鈥� he explains, before admitting, 鈥淚 also quite like the setting with the pine trees and George鈥檚 kebabs near the tavern.鈥�
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