TESTIMONIALS

WILLIAM TEI

MBA (Technology Management)
2001–2009

William is employed as a Project Manager at McConnell Dowell South East Asia. Working a 5 ½ day week was challenging for William but he still managed to find time for his family and personal commitments over the weekend. His strict policy was to dedicate the weekend (mostly Sunday) to his family and recreational activities.  He completed his program within 8 years, undertaking one unit per study period.

The best thing about having completed the MBA is that it gives you the confidence that your management techniques are sound and that you can speak with authority on general management topics.

Why did you choose this program?

Early in 2001 I attended an information session at one of the major hotels in the Brisbane CBD for the MBA. I had been looking into the different MBA's on offer at that time to enhance my management skills as my role as an engineer was moving away from the technical side and more into a managing role.

During this session the MBA (Technology Management) struck me as having the type of subjects and flexibility that would suit my requirements. The decision was made that evening and I kicked off the MBA (Technology Management) in Semester 2, 2001.  

What did you value most about the program?

In completing the program I have gained a greater body of knowledge in all areas of management including specific tools to roll out in my day to day activities as a Project Manager. The MBA (Technology Management) provides the theory in a comprehensive and user friendly study guide that links your learnings through the topics to activities which relate to your own organisation and “real life” situations. This facilitates the learning process and as a Project Manager the tools are at your finger tips for immediate use and implementation on your projects.

The distance learning feature was a key selection criterion as it allowed me to juggle the changes in work location that go along with the construction industry. Being a truly distance learning MBA I was able to complete subjects in Australia (Brisbane), Indonesia (Jakarta) and Singapore when my work locations changed as the Study Guide, text book and an internet connection was all I needed. The other major benefit was the flexibility of having ten years to complete the course. When my second child was born after the completion of my sixth unit and I was relocating to Indonesia for work it all got a bit hectic and I was able to defer without having any time pressure to finish.

What were the outcomes?

The MBA (Technology Management) has certainly enhanced my career opportunities and development both during the time of the study and now that the study has been completed. When senior management found out that I was undertaking the MBA they involved me in more of the strategic operational aspects of the business. Such activities as business and strategic plan preparation, review of companies for potential acquisitions, selection of staff for recruitment, business systems reviews and preparation of marketing material even though my role was as a Project Manager. This additional involvement in key business activities provides a platform for movement into Operations or General Management positions in the future. 

As a graduate engineer you generally mirror the management techniques of your first mentors. The MBA (Technology Management) provides the knowledge and skills in a structured format giving you the assurance that your management approach is based on solid foundations which further complements your engineering or other technical qualification leading to a more effective and efficient manager.

See how William organised his program over the 8 years

View William's typical week day