With more than 120 000 South Africans planning to embark on a course of postgraduate study over the next 12 months, education remains a key driver of a successful career. At the Finance Indaba Africa 2016 in October, Monash SA acting CFO Alvin Liew examined how to maximise the ROI on postgraduate study and use it to launch an international career, when to embark on a programme of study and how to invest in oneself, drawing on his own experiences.
Founded by Monash University in 2001, Monash South Africa became the first institution in Sub-Saharan Africa to join the Laureate International Universities network in 2013, which has a presence in 25 countries, serving over a million students globally across 70 institutions and online. The world-class institution, based in Johannesburg, offers a range of exclusive flexible postgraduate programmes for working professionals, providing a locally relevant education grounded on global insights.
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In choosing an appropriate qualification and the "sweet spot" at which to commence studies, Alvin explained that most students chose to give themselves an edge over rivals when taking steps towards a middle or senior management position and that gauging the scarcity of skills and employability benefits was crucial:
"Looking back on the profiles of several of our graduates at Monash South Africa, it is clear that many enrolled in our postgraduate programmes at a time when they were working towards middle or senior management levels within their organisation. This typically occurs between three and five years into their existing roles, as they are taking the first tentative steps towards middle or senior management. This period of transition truly is the 'sweet spot' when making the decision to enrol in a postgraduate qualification."
The Finance Indaba is the biggest annual event on the continent for financial managers and specialists who are seeking partnerships to drive progress. Thousands of delegates will gain valuable insights into realising financial performance and growth, becoming more efficient and accessing funding, among a host of other opportunities from leading players in financial services.
