Ever since graduating with his third degree (he has four) \u2013 a Master of Business Administration in 1997 \u2013 Steven Nicols has held an affinity for the Curtin Graduate School of Business (CGSB). A decade later, after reconnecting with Curtin as he studied his Master of Accounting, he became an active member of Curtin\u2019s Graduate School of Business (CGSB) Alumni Chapter. Now, as president of the chapter, he is looking for like-minded CGSB alumni to join him on his quest to share business knowledge and create networking opportunities for the more than 5,000-strong chapter.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are always on the lookout for re-generation and re-growth,\u201d explains Nicols of his desire to recruit new members to the Chapter Committee. \u201cAnd, it\u2019s mutually beneficial. By joining the committee, alumni have an opportunity to be proactive in expanding their own network, as well as ours.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nicols was first drawn to Curtin\u2019s alumni events as a \u201cvalue-add\u201d opportunity for career networking and business ideas. He soon discovered there was much more on offer, with events such as the recent Shakespeare\u2019s Midsummer Night\u2019s Dream<\/em> at the Hayman Theatre appealing to his love of the arts (his first degree was a Bachelor of Arts (English) at Curtin).<\/p>\n When the opportunity to become president of the CGSB Alumni Chapter presented itself in 2015, he rose to the challenge, inspired by a combination of giving back to Curtin, networking opportunities and the chance to promote his own brand. Since then, he has taken pleasure in influencing the direction of the chapter.<\/p>\n \u201cThe committee operates\u00a0under a leadership model where every member is welcome to bring feedback, ideas, and even lead events or projects that would engage CGSB alumni with the University,\u201d Nicols says. \u201cI think it is very important that people feel comfortable about speaking freely and having the opportunity to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n Members of the committee come from an array of backgrounds, including management, IT, engineering, education and law. Through their efforts, CGSB alumni have been able to attend events such as Understanding the Management Consulting Landscape in Perth, with EY, and the annual philanthropic Christmas Comedy Debate between CGSB alumni and the Curtin Toastmasters team.<\/p>\n But Nicols is quick to recognise the busy lives of committee members.<\/p>\n \u201cThe reality is that busy working professionals don\u2019t always have the time to invest in these initiatives,\u201d he acknowledges. \u201cBut through whatever contribution they can make, such as finding interesting guest speakers and attending a couple of information evenings, they can aid the networking and social benefits for alumni.\u201d<\/p>\n Multi-skilled and multi-talented<\/strong><\/p>\n Nicols graduated from Curtin several times, with a bachelor in English, a diploma in business, and two master degrees in accounting and business administration. He also holds a degree in education. He says that having multiple degrees gives him a unique advantage in the job market.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of my marketing \u2018pitches\u2019 revolves around my accounting and MBA qualifications,\u201d he says. \u201cMy accounting skill allows me to produce annual financial statements whilst my MBA skill allows me to interpret the numbers and make decisions on the basis of those numbers. Theoretically, it\u2019s the kind of skill set that could give you the heads up toward CEO or general manager type roles.\u201d<\/p>\n He adds that it\u2019s a skill set that\u2019s underpinned by the strong practical nature of Curtin\u2019s degrees.<\/p>\n \u201cThe degree programs at Curtin have an emphasis on producing practical projects allowing graduates to market themselves to potential employers. There is also an emphasis on technology, entrepreneurship, risk-taking and international business,\u201d he explains, before admitting, \u201cI also quite like the setting with the pine trees and George\u2019s kebabs near the tavern.\u201d<\/p>\n