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Former officer studies for seachange
Studying a Master of Business Administration at the University of the Sunshine Coast has proved life-changing for a former police officer and his family.
Roger Eichler, 44, is putting his new skills to work in a family business venture in Maryborough, based at the renamed Maryborough Motel and Conference Centre at 298 Walker Street.
Roger and his wife Libby have kept a family home in Caloundra, where one of their three children is following Dad’s lead by enrolling at USC. Steven, 19, is studying a Bachelor of Communication.
Mr Eichler said his USC studies had enabled him to make the career change after the family moved from New South Wales several years ago.
He has just achieved his Graduate Certificate in Business Administration after one year and is continuing the MBA part-time, mostly online.
“I was with the police for 17 years and when I left, I realised just about every job needs a degree these days,” he said.
“I did a TAFE diploma of tourism management and managed backpackers’ accommodation at Caloundra before it sold.
“Then I had an interview with the Faculty of Business at USC and was overwhelmed to be accepted for the postgraduate degree.”
Mr Eichler said the University learning experience, from the course content to the lecturers, was both inspirational and useful.
“The whole MBA encompasses everything we’re doing with our business, from project and event management to rebranding, entrepreneurship, economics, human resources – the whole box and dice,” he said. “It’s money well spent.”
– Julie Gatehouse