Life After the MBA: The Lasting Impact of a Practical Programme 

In the 2025 CEO Magazine Global MBA Rankings, AIB again secured its Tier 1 Global Status for the fourth consecutive year and as well as ranking 7th in Australia and 25th globally in the online MBA category. The 2025 rankings edition of CEO Magazine also includes a special article on AIB’s practical approach to education and its impact on career growth. Read the full article below.

Life After the MBA: The Lasting Impact of a Practical Programme 

For many professionals, the hardest part of pursuing an MBA isn’t deciding to take the leap – it’s finding a programme that delivers real career outcomes. The Australian Institute of Business (AIB) stands out for its flexible, online and practically focused programme. AIB’s MBA is designed for working professionals who want to apply what they have learned in real-time. This hands-on approach has empowered thousands of graduates to accelerate their careers without pausing their professional or personal commitments.

The versatility of the AIB MBA allows graduates to explore diverse and rewarding career opportunities, whether it’s climbing the corporate ladder, launching a business, stepping into the boardroom or advancing into research. But how does this transformation unfold in real life? What does life after the MBA really look like?

In this article, we showcase four AIB alumni who leveraged their MBA experience to achieve extraordinary success. From earning high-powered promotions to building companies from the ground up, these stories highlight how the lessons, networks and confidence gained from an MBA can shape careers in profound ways.

Entrepreneurship and Education: Carmen Garcia’s Business Success Story 

Launching a new business is a challenging venture; making a business last is even harder. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2022) revealed that 48% of all new Australian business start-ups fail within the first four years, with 23% failing within the first year. Understanding the challenges ahead, Carmen Garcia pursued an AIB MBA to enhance her skills as an entrepreneur and strengthen her credibility. 

Carmen is the CEO and Founder of the award-winning diversity and inclusion certified social enterprise, Community Corporate. The organisation partners with corporations to create job opportunities for underrepresented groups including refugees, migrants, mature women and young people – many of whom are overlooked, especially with AI-driven hiring. Community Corporate works on both sides of the hiring process, strengthening employers’ inclusion capacity while empowering diverse job seekers with the skills and confidence to take on new opportunities. 

Carmen’s specialised Marketing MBA provided valuable insights into consumer behaviour, transforming her decision-making. It also gave her confidence to navigate boardrooms and the skills to translate complex ideas into business language, making her more effective in engaging with senior leaders. AIB’s practical curriculum allowed her apply industry learnings to real-world challenges as she progressed in her studies. 

“There are a lot of MBAs that are very theoretical but, particularly for entrepreneurs or small business owners, AIB’s MBA really enables you to integrate theory with your actual business. My final project explored how CSR can influence customer attraction and retention for me. We need to prove to businesses that doing good is not just good for business, but there is a financial return on investment. Understanding persona avatars, motivators and quality indicators that drive business decisions is critical to this and something I really enjoyed.” 

As Carmen Garcia expands Community Corporate in 2025, she remains dedicated to continuous learning and innovation. After piloting new initiatives last year, the organisation now has a clear roadmap for refining strategies to better meet customer expectations and drive long-term success.  

“The MBA played a strong role in building my confidence to test ideas and assess risk before making an investment of time or money. As a result, Community Corporate has become leaner, more agile and quick to move on new opportunities with the rigor behind decision making now BAU.” 

Carmen’s advice to those aspiring to start a business: 

“It’s not a part time gig, be prepared for late nights, early mornings and have enough fuel in the tank to push through. It comes down to confidence, courage and connections in yourself and your offer. For me it was about my genuine desire to lead change in my space. I encourage many of my colleagues, friends and partners to consider the MBA as it is not just about professional growth but personal growth especially for those embarking into business and entrepreneurship.” 

Boardroom Bound: Ruth Palmer’s Journey from Practical Experience to Influential Leader 

For many professionals, joining a board represents a defining career accomplishment. The 2024 Watermark Search International Board Diversity Index reports that 1 in 5 ASX300 board directors hold an MBA, highlighting its value in securing and succeeding in board roles. 

Ruth Palmer, Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia in the Northern Territory Division, is an expert in the field of membership-based organisations. Having left school before completing Year 11, Ruth’s career had been shaped primarily by hands-on experience. After seven years in her current role, she saw the MBA as a valuable opportunity to formalise the practical knowledge gained throughout her career. AIB offered her the unique advantage of entry based on professional experience rather than a traditional degree. With the ability to study online while working full-time in Darwin, the programme was the perfect opportunity to upskill and further develop her leadership capabilities. 

Since completing her MBA, Ruth has been invited to serve on numerous boards and committees that have significantly contributed to the Northern Territory’s development. Currently, she is the President of Gymnastics NT and Neighbourhood Watch NT, a Board Member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board and a Member of the Darwin Activate Board, INPEX Business Advisory Committee, and NT Business Council. She also holds roles such as Executive Sponsor of the Indigenous Advisory Group and a member of the Economic Vibrancy Committee for the City of Palmerston. 

The MBA was transformative in transitioning Ruth’s career towards leadership and influence in the boardroom.  

“Three months after graduation, I secured my first board position, a testament to the strategic thinking, financial acumen and governance knowledge I gained during the MBA.” 

Ruth’s MBA experience was defined by subjects like Leadership and Strategic Management, which strengthened her adaptability and decision-making skills for board leadership. The Capstone Project offered real-world applications of her learning, while interactions with peers and mentors broadened her professional perspective. 

“The AIB alumni network has been an invaluable resource, providing a platform to connect with like-minded professionals who share similar goals and challenges. The network has fostered opportunities to collaborate on initiatives and access mentorship and advice from experienced leaders.” 

Ruth’s advice to those aspiring to join a board: 

“Perseverance and strategic preparation are key. Set clear goals and actively seek opportunities to build the experience required for board roles. My journey from not completing Year 11 to obtaining an MBA and securing board positions reflects the power of resilience and long-term focus. Engage with mentors, pursue professional development and remain adaptable. Most importantly, identify causes and organisations that align with your values – passion drives purpose, and purpose attracts opportunity.” 

C-Suite Success: Chris Ogilvie’s Rise to Leadership

As the highest level of corporate leadership, C-suite executives play a pivotal role in shaping their organisations as well as broader industry trends. By exposing leaders to diverse business functions, an MBA ensures they develop the versatility needed to navigate a wide range of complex business challenges. Nearly 40% of C-suite executives on the 2022 Fortune 1000 list hold an MBA, according to proprietary research by Fortune. 

Chris Ogilvie’s career has been built on hands-on experience, beginning in small business and then founding several ventures in a variety of industries. Chris had an understanding of business management however he wanted a stronger theoretical foundation to complement his entrepreneurial instincts. He decided to pursue an AIB MBA to learn business frameworks and principles to position himself for future growth and leadership opportunities. 

Since completing his MBA, Chris has built a diverse career across both public and private sectors, ultimately advancing to the C-suite. In 2020, he joined Jones Radiology as Chief Marketing Officer. One of the defining moments in Chris’s time at Jones Radiology was leading the rebrand from Dr Jones & Partners Medical Imaging to Jones Radiology. He played a key role in maintaining the company’s rich century-long legacy while positioning it for the future, a challenge he navigated successfully using the strategic and leadership skills gained through his MBA. 

“The MBA contributed to my career success without a doubt. It equipped me with tools and insights that have been instrumental in navigating complex business challenges and scaling my impact as a leader.” 

Building on his impressive career trajectory, Chris is now the CEO and Co-Founder of Solved Development Labs, a start-up software company focused on automation, integration and driving success through digitisation. 

“Many of the principles I learned during the MBA remain relevant today. Whether it’s making strategic decisions, understanding organisational dynamics or managing risk. I often draw on lessons learnt in my MBA to navigate my responsibilities as a C-suite leader. My textbooks are never far away in my study bookshelf, nor are the individual subject study guides.” 

Chris’s advice to those aspiring to reach the C-suite: 

“Stay curious and embrace continuous learning. As you commence your studies, use every opportunity within your workplace to seek to apply your learnings. I believe I saw 12 different versions of my organisation as I completed each of the 12 subjects. Don’t wait for a title to seek opportunities to lead, even in small ways, and focus on empowering others to achieve success.”  

Higher Education, Higher Impact: Vaso Charitsis’s Continued Pursuit of Excellence

An MBA not only accelerates career progression but also opens doors to further educational opportunities. Research degrees such as the Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) build on the MBA’s foundation, offering professionals the chance to engage in high-level research and delve into specialised areas. Vaso Charitsis’s story exemplifies the transformative power of continuing education, as she leveraged her MBA to achieve significant success in a highly competitive field. 

Vaso is a seasoned communications and marketing professional with over 15 years of experience providing impactful counsel to organisations across diverse sectors. As well as having a number of qualifications from Canadian Institutions, she holds an MBA from AIB, graduating as valedictorian and earning the Dean’s Merit Award. 

Vaso leveraged the skills and knowledge gained from AIB’s practical and immersive MBA to secure a role in the corporate communications team of a digital hospital. This career transition reflected both the strength of her education and her ability to apply it in a dynamic, real-world setting. Her MBA at AIB also had a significant financial impact, leading to a 40% salary increase. 

“The design of the programme, blending theory with practical application to solve real-world problems, ensures you not only acquire the foundational strategies but also have the opportunity to immediately implement them in work settings. Given the flexibility to study at any time, I could advance my career without having to compromise their personal and professional responsibilities or income.”  

After selling her cherished family business Vaso found herself at a crossroads. Passionate about lifelong learning, she sought to expand her expertise not just for personal growth but to make a meaningful impact on the industries and communities she serves. Building upon the strong foundation from her MBA, Vaso decided to pursue a DBA at AIB. 

“My MBA played a pivotal role in preparing me for this next academic pursuit, providing a strong foundation of critical thinking, strategic decision-making and research skills. The DBA offers the chance to refine my research skills and capabilities in the pursuit of exploring a research problem in an applied manner. The AIB professors are more than just educators, they are dedicated mentors who bring unparalleled expertise and passion to every lesson. Their unwavering support and guidance left an indelible mark on my learning journey, and I’m profoundly grateful for the lasting impact they’ve made.” 

Vaso’s advice to those considering a master’s or doctoral degree: 

“Education is not only about personal and professional growth but also about empowering oneself to make a meaningful difference in the world. Pursuing an MBA or further studies opens the door to a wealth of opportunities – not just to enhance your own skills and career but to contribute to the betterment of your community, industry, and society. For those considering this path, I encourage you to view it as an investment, not just in your future, but in the lives, you can touch and the positive impact you can create.” 

This article was originally published in CEO Magazine Volume 45 2025 Global MBA Rankings Edition.

The insights provided were garnered from AIB’s 2023 Alumni Insights Report sent out to 7,650 of AIB’s global MBA Alumni who graduated between 2005 and 2023.