A Canberra girl’s guide to getting ahead at work in 2025
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Are you manifesting a promotion in 2025? Do you (not-so-secretly) love your APS job, and want to ascend the ranks? Maybe you just want to explore bigger and better job opportunities. Sounds great! So what next?
Made with Canberrans in mind, if you’ve been thinking of how to bag that promotion, UC’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) could be your ticket. And with applications closing on Friday 24 January – could this be the sign you need to take charge of your career in 2025?
It might sound like an overwhelming commitment at first, which is why we sat down with current University of Canberra (UC) MBA student Abbey Cubit to find out everything you need to know.
The most important thing? Studying an MBA at UC is perfect for anyone looking to learn without limits.
“To me, the UC MBA is a great option for Canberrans. UC teaches you how our government operates like a business — managing resources, strategic planning, and leading teams, which is really valuable know-how for public servants or anyone who works in a corporate space,” says Abbey.
“The MBA itself is quite a well-rounded business degree. I didn’t want to limit myself to a particular area. I wanted to keep the upskilling quite broad in a business sense. The MBA offers subjects in finance, leadership, marketing, and it’s a well-rounded qualification so I thought it was a good choice for me.”
Just like yoga… UC’s MBA values flexibility
Working and studying full-time, Abbey also knows how hard it can be to find work-life balance. But one thing she strongly believes is UC’s MBA course is well-tailored to Canberrans looking to fast-track their journey to executive-level leadership without taking away the fun of day-to-day life.
“I wanted to achieve a post-grad qualification without it impacting my lifestyle too dramatically,” she says.
“I like to get out down to the coast, go camping and hiking, so it was really important to me that part-time study could fit in with all of that…the UC course is quite flexible. I’m able to watch my lectures online and attend workshops on campus in Bruce so it’s a nice mix to balance all of that alongside my job.”
“I’m not going to hide the fact that going back to university after thinking my study days were well and truly behind me wasn’t nerve-wracking, thinking of the time and energy commitment. I’m finding that completing two subjects a semester has been quite manageable with full-time work.”
Will I ever really use what I’m learning in class? The answer is – yes!
Explaining that all the courses are practical and hands-on, Abbey might still have a year left in her study, but when she thinks about her future in the workforce, she already feels prepared.
“I like that I can apply things I was learning straight into my job…For example, accounting tasks now feel less daunting and I am more confident in my capability,” she says.
“I don’t know what my career will hold – whether it’ll remain in Canberra or be elsewhere – but I do know that completing the MBA is definitely equipping me to have that confidence to meet challenges in business.”
“When I finish the course, and I have that qualification alongside my experience, opportunities will for sure open, and it will make me competitive if I see a role I love the look of. That’s something exciting to work towards.”
Looking to expand your network? An MBA is your VIP ticket.
Designed for mid-level managers in government, advocacy, or corporate roles looking to fast-track their journey to executive-level leadership, Abbey says another highlight of her study is networking with future leaders she wouldn’t normally cross paths with.
Tailored to Canberra’s distinct position as a hub for government and policy-related work, while studying her MBA, Abbey connects daily with lecturers, classmates, and business professionals who will all become future contacts as she navigates an ever-evolving business landscape.
“I liked the MBA design for how they structure the units and the class sizes. Last year, academics knew me by name, and I was meeting other students who were either working in the APS or consulting in Canberra,” she explains.
“It’s nice to build some connections with people I might not usually meet otherwise!”
Yes, it’s a big commitment – but it has a big payoff.
Her overall advice for anyone thinking of taking the plunge?
“If you, like me, have come back to work and you’re thinking 2025 is the year to invest in yourself, your career and open up some new doors, the MBA is a great option,” says Abbey.
“With classes starting next month, now is a great time of year to speak to your manager about your plans to study as they may support you with study leave, or flexibility with work hours during the semester, which could put you on a very exciting path this year!”
Images supplied.
