RMIT’s focus on practical experience and industry connections led Alex Roberts from high school to a Bachelor of Business (Professional Accountancy). A postgraduate Executive Master of Business Administration is helping him soar even higher in the boundless world of business.
Alex always had a keen interest in business, and he knew that RMIT would give him the necessary experience and connections to help him make his mark in the industry.
“What appealed to me about business in general, particularly at a young age, was that there’s no real ceiling to what you can achieve. There are no limits in business, in terms of how far you can take it.
“I chose to do my undergraduate program at RMIT largely because it’s got a very good reputation in the business world. It’s known for its practical teaching styles, giving students experiences that will be beneficial in a real-world setting.
“Most of the activities we do are targeted on real-world problems. They’re focusing on businesses that have a question that needs answering, and it’s not so much textbook learning.”
Alex’s undergraduate degree provided him with an array of invaluable opportunities, like visiting the RMIT Vietnam campus and learning about business with a new, global perspective.
“I was fortunate enough to participate in a business globalisation tour to Vietnam. We got to go for a couple of weeks, and that included a tour to Hong Kong, Macau and Cambodia.
“The tour gave me a breadth of knowledge [about] global markets and business in an international setting. It showed me how different cultures interact with different problems and how they approach decision-making from different aspects than we do in Australia.”
The skills and experience Alex gained at RMIT played a pivotal role in helping him land a graduate role at HLB Mann Judd, a Melbourne accounting firm.
“The benefits of getting practical experience at RMIT have really helped me. They’ve given me a footing in the business world and have helped prepare me to go into a real-world setting.”
Working as an audit manager at HLB Mann Judd motivated Alex to return to RMIT to expand his business skills by pursuing an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA).
“I practise as a chartered accountant day-to-day, and accounting is one facet of business, but business is a very broad topic and it’s something I would like to expand further into. The EMBA has allowed me to broaden my horizons.”
RMIT’s central Melbourne location and flexible class timetables were also factors that motivated Alex to come back to study.
“One of the reasons I chose RMIT to pursue my postgraduate course was because of its location. I work as an accountant in the city, so the city-based location was perfect. It allowed me to get to night-time lectures after work and is very central to trains and public transport.”
The support he’s received from RMIT’s staff while working towards his EMBA has helped Alex navigate the demands of full-time work and study.
“The teaching staff and general faculty so far, in my experience during the EMBA, have been really motivating. You need the individuals to give that motivation after work.
“You might finish a big day in the office and you’ll come back into university tired and maybe lacking some motivation at night-time, but the faculty have been really good at inspiring and motivating the staff, and they’re very knowledgeable individuals.”
Alex’s experience at RMIT is helping him not just professionally, but personally too.
“I can use the skills and the knowledge that I’ve learnt from RMIT in a business context and take that to a very broad area that can be global, it can be national, or it can be local. It’s incredibly exciting and motivating to apply them in such a broad setting.
“I hope to take the skills that I’ve learnt from my EMBA and apply them to my personal life as well, and to help me become a better manager at work.”
What's Next for Alex Roberts
What are your plans post-study? Find out what Alex has planned after his EMBA degree and what most appealed to him about studying business at RMIT.
