Andrea and Damien share path to MBA qualification

By Greg Chapman

Andrea and Damien Cassidy have set many milestones in their lives – getting married, raising a family and becoming grandparents, so understandably they crossed the graduation stage with matching Master of Business Administration (MBA) qualifications in Brisbane recently.

Andrea and Damien were part of an almost-600-strong contingent of CQUniversity students who graduated in dual ceremonies at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 15 August and the pair were beaming with pride at their achievement against some significant odds.

With Damien’s background with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and Andrea with the Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) Queensland, they wanted to take their careers further by studying the MBA at CQU.

“We studied together because we had plans to take our skills and knowledge and work offshore for three years to experience life in another country,” Andrea said.

“We supported each other through the late nights of assessment whilst juggling demanding jobs, family and life generally– it would have been really challenging without the other to lean on.

“There were deaths – Damien lost his stepfather – marriages, births of grandchildren and a dream holiday to Egypt and Europe while we were studying”

Although their initial plans to work offshore had changed Andrea said she wasn’t done with study yet, having already committed to starting a PhD in the next eighteen months with future aspiration of teaching within the tertiary education environment.

Damien is committed to undertaking a Graduate Certificate to further elevate his career pathway and said he hoped to gain a promotion within the QPS.

Damien and Andrea thoroughly enjoyed their MBA journey, meeting many wonderful Lecturers and fellow students along the way, elevating their experience.  They said, "we wouldn't hesitate to jump into further study with CQU as this has given us such an enriching experience."