“I knew the program was right for me from the first week.”

For many years, Bethea contemplated studying a Master of Business Administration.

Driven by her desire for career advancement, the now Program Manager for The Intrepid Foundation decided to dip her toe into online learning with a Professional Certificate in Business Administration.

“My primary motivations for pursuing further studies is to advance my career, consolidating skills I have learnt on the job and expanding my network,” she says.

Bethea, like many considering pursuing their Master of Business Administration, was uncertain of being able to commit to a 36-month-long postgraduate qualification.

“I wasn't sure whether my future personal circumstances would allow me to do the full-time, part-time, face-to-face or online MBA,” she says. “So, with the support of a course adviser, I decided to do the Professional Certificate online to get a feel for the program before making a decision about the MBA program.”

Delivered fully online, the Professional Certificate is a globally recognised qualification that focuses on delivering practical business skills and a pathway to the Melbourne Business School Online MBA.

“I am really grateful for the online learning environment as it enabled me to take the first step towards achieving my goal of an MBA at Melbourne Business School,” Bethea says.

The flexible nature of the online Professional Certificate in Business Administration program gave Bethea the freedom to tailor her study to fit her schedule.

Regardless of location or device, Bethea could access a premium learning experience, overcoming challenges like her frequent travel for work and the demands of managing a young family. “Balancing work, study and family life, especially when not living in Melbourne, is made much easier by being able to work through the asynchronous material at my own pace and joining online classes without having to commute.”

With a curriculum designed for the modern business landscape, Bethea is also able to translate insights from the program directly to her role at The Intrepid Foundation.

“I felt more skilled right from the first subject,” she says. “Learnings can be applied right away so the benefits are quick to be realised.”

Highlights of her studies so far include the diverse experiences and support from her cohort.

“My peers have been a great source of support for me so far. We are always checking in to see how each other is going with assignments.”

After experiencing the rewards and instant career impact of the Professional Certificate, Bethea set her sights on completing the Online MBA program with Melbourne Business School.

She’s now on track to do so, having articulated from the Professional Certificate to the Online MBA.

“The Professional Certificate was a great first introduction for me. If it didn’t work out, I would still have something tangible for my CV but if it did, I’d have the confidence to finally move forward with the MBA. I’m so glad that it did work out and I can’t wait to continue to build my skills with each new subject.”

To learn more about studying at Melbourne Business School Online, visit our Degree Programs, or find out more about progression pathways on our Professional Certificate in Business Administration page.