Luke Gleeson
Would you be ready to start work in a major stockbroking firm without any realistic experience at doing a deal? You won't be the novice in the hot seat with the range of practical experience at Griffith Business School, especially the simulated trading room.
Griffith is one of only a handful of Australian universities with a specialist trading room environment that offers test trading, access to live financial data and news networks.
"Griffith taught me you don't learn about international finance only in a classroom." Luke Gleeson
According to 2004 Commerce graduate Luke Gleeson, this hands-on learning at Griffith has paid dividends, landing him a dream job with Ord Minnett Stock Broking and Wealth Management straight out of university. Luke scored a position working in derivatives and investment analysis.
As well as gaining realistic insights into the finance sector by engaging in mock share trading, he also acquired first-hand experience in putting together a company analysis and investment proposal - tasks he is required to do at work daily.
'The content of the degree is very industry-oriented. The biggest advantage for students is having lecturers who are industry experts,' Luke said.
'I had two practising brokers deliver lectures on Derivatives and Investment Analysis, and Portfolio Management. This was hugely beneficial as they made the subjects very practical and gave us insights into their workplaces.'
My advice to students is to soak-up these practical opportunities.
Ord Minnett Ltd Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Karl Morris, also a Griffith graduate and one of eight at the company's Gold Coast branch, said the Griffith degree provided students with industry exposure and equipped them with a realistic and practical understanding of what was involved from the outset.
'We see these things as being very important because the reality of what it takes to be successful in this industry is often quite different from the perception,' he said.
In 2007 Luke took a position as Private Client Advisor with Macquarie Private Wealth, and his new boss Ross Sorbello is another Griffith graduate!
Be distinct: Apply now to the Griffith Honours College for 2008.
Apply Now: Choose your pathway for joining Griffith.
"Griffith taught me you don't learn about international finance only in a classroom." Luke Gleeson