Student profiles - Graduate Certificate in Sustainability
TROY EATON
What made you decide to undertake this course?
I was given an opportunity to study by my employer and they allowed me to choose a course. I am passionate about sustainability and appreciate that understanding the fundamentals of the subject is necessary when acting as a driver of initiatives domestically and in the workplace. The course at Swinburne provided subject matter that ticked all the boxes.
Why did you choose Swinburne?
I chose Swinburne after researching various courses in the field of sustainability at a number of educational institutions both locally and overseas. Swinburne provided a portfolio of subjects that covered all of my interests and were also key areas of understanding required to effectively implement sustainability initiatives in my workplace.
What are you doing now?
Now that I have completed the course I am heading up the sustainability resource facility for the not for profit trade association that I work for. This facility in intended to become a key point of reference for members and I intend to develop the role to become a key consultant to member organisations wishing to implement sustainability initiatives including strategy development, employment, future planning etc.
What have you gained from the course?
This course has given me a fantastic grounding in the areas of systemic thinking and social construction. The lecturers, their experience and the way in which the course exposes you to and encourages you to participate in alternative ways of thinking and assessing our lives and daily activity is extremely valuable. It has changed the way I view myself, the planet and our future.
What has your favourite aspect of the course been?
Definitely the exposure to systemic thinking and some fantastic reading material that I don't think I would have otherwise accessed. The great emphasis placed on group discussion and the encouragement to bring even the most abstract and even taboo issues to an open forum was very refreshing, challenging and positive.
How do you foresee your qualification helping you in the future? What
are your plans for the future?br /> Having a qualification
such as this will provide great support and weight when working towards
the private and commercial goals I have set out for sustainability.
The fundamentals of the qualification are so versatile that it adapts
itself to any initiative or pursuit. I intend to build on this qualification
in the future.
RICHARD ROWE
What made you decide to undertake this course?A need for a career change with a focus on sustainability led me to consider returning to study. I was attracted to this specific course because the syllabus didnt solely focus on technical fixes to complex sustainable challenges but on developing personal and societal capacity for change.
Why did you choose Swinburne?
I chose Swinburne for a number of reasons including the syllabus, the reputation of the Centre for Sustainability, the quality of the teaching staff and also the online component of the course (recognising that online delivery is not perfect) which provided me with the flexibility I needed to balance family, professional and study demands.
What are you doing now?
I have completed the course. I am about to transfer into a new role
within the Innovation department and I will be focussing on how innovation
can help in solving sustainability challenges.
What have you gained from the course?
I have gained a new appreciation for the complexity of the problem,
access to new frameworks and processes to assist in understanding
the issues at a deeper level, and a passion to take personal responsibility
for my own actions and to help others where I can.
What has your favourite aspect of the course been?
Interaction with the teachers and other students during the contact
sessions and diving into the content of the course. My favourite subject
was Energy for the Future which has opened to me a whole new dimension
on the world and the sustainability challenges we face. Before we
can solve the problems, we must better understand them and this subject
has helped me understand Energy and its role in our lives.
How do you foresee your qualification helping you in the
future? What are your plans for the future?
From a career perspective the course has provided some academic credibility
to back up my personal desire to change career path. It has further
cemented my belief that I can make a difference and combine a passion
and a career. My future plans are to combine my interest in Sustainability
and Innovation.
DONALD MUNRO
What made you decide to undertake this course?1. Career change from insurance to something I was passionate about
2. Concern over climate change (Anthropogenic)
When did you choose to start your course (ie start of the
year, mid year) and why then?
March 2008. This allowed me to study part-time and be a ‘stay
at home Dad”!
Why did you choose Swinburne?
Recommended by a CEO of sustainability consultancy firm and
particularly, a recognition of Frank Fisher’s knowledge.
What stage are you at in the course? If you have completed,
what are you doing now?
Completed. Work part-time (The Environmental Jobs Network) and working
as a part-time “stay at home Dad”
What have you gained from the course?
More than I could have ever imagined but primarily a new way of thinking
about everyday experiences – and asking why things are the way they
are.
What has your favourite aspect of the course been?
The way in which the learning took place. It was experiential which
was far more effective than any previous learning I had undertaken.
How do you foresee your qualification helping you in the
future? What are your plans for the future?
I would like to work in some sort of behavioural change role to support
sustainable practices and I hope my quals will allow me to achieve
this
GARETH JOHNSTON
Read Gareth's story here
