Graduate Careers Australia
ergo - Number 91 June 2003
Introducing our new Executive Director!
As the new Executive Director of the GCCA (having taken over the tiller after Roger Bartley’s long and dedicated time at the helm), I feel honoured and privileged to have the responsibility of leading the GCCA into the future. I am most fortunate to come into an organisation that enjoys an excellent reputation both nationally and internationally, has a sound financial base, and where I am supported by a small team of dedicated and professional staff and a solid Board and committee structure.
With the need to meet the ever-increasing demand for services from our limited resources, the potential benefits that technology can bring to the way the GCCA operates, and some fundamental changes due to take place in the higher education sector, the next few years will be challenging for the GCCA.
However, I believe one of the great strengths of the GCCA is the independent position that we hold within the Higher Education sector. We enjoy excellent support from, and maintain close links with, most of the parties involved in this arena: government departments such as DEST and DEWR, the Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee; university career departments, peak industry bodies; employers, and, of course, students through our excellent gradlink-branded website and products. With this base, I am sure we will be able to both expand and enhance the services we offer throughout the coming period.
Already, in my first few weeks, I have had the opportunity to meet with many representatives of stakeholder groups, together with the various parties involved in our joint ventures. I hope to be able to meet many more of you during the next few months, and would welcome your personal contact and feedback at any time.
My career life “pre-GCCA” has been varied and interesting. My professional background lies in Chartered Accountancy, although I moved into senior management positions relatively early in my career. I enjoyed an extensive period of time within the “not-for-profit” sector, including time in Local Government, the independent secondary school system and the charitable sector. I then held the position of General Manager for a professional service firm and more recently ran my own management consulting practice, working primarily within the small business sector.
Although these fields may seem unrelated to the work of the GCCA, I have always maintained a keen interest in the education sector. Previously, I have served on a University Accreditation committee and as President of the Deakin MBA Society. I currently assist in the Institute of Chartered Accountants’ Graduate “CA Program” and hold a directorship for The Outdoor Education Group, (an organisation that conducts challenging experiential outdoor education programs for secondary school students). I am also the proud mother of a daughter (Kim) who is currently a university student, and am mother-in-law to a recent graduate (Glenn), so the role here at the GCCA seems a natural “fit” for me.
I have the greatest admiration and respect for the fantastic young people of today, who face challenges and a world so different to that of previous generations. The opportunity to work in an organisation that assists some of these young people find satisfying, fulfilling careers (either directly through our career services, or indirectly through our research activities) is a great privilege.
I therefore anticipate an exciting future for the GCCA, and look forward to ongoing liaison with you all. Please feel free to visit us at our Melbourne office (opposite The University of Melbourne) if you are ever in the area.
Cindy Tilbrook
Executive Director, GCCA
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