Law and Management

Graduate School of Management

Alumni Profiles

Mr Roger Darvall-Stevens - MBA 2004
Associate Director
Ernst & Young
Fraud and Forensic Services

My role as an associate director at Ernst & Young has been complemented by benchmark learning in strategic management and leadership as a student in the La Trobe MBA. The global perspective of this course ensures its high regard in the upper echelon of subject areas traditional to MBA courses as well as the ongoing introduction of developing new MBA areas.

The four-term structure of this MBA is also an advantage in maximising the entire year for an accelerated, self-paced program. This helped me achieve a work and life balance integrating my family with my MBA and my career.

Ritesh Agrawal- MBA 2000
Regional Manager - EMEA Networks Business Unit
Sasken Communication Technologies Limited

With a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons.) in computer science and engineering and 5 years postgraduate work experience I decided to study the MBA at La Trobe. Many aspects of the course offered at La Trobe including staff with international teaching and business experience, course and subject flexibility and an excellent exchange program, which I participated in, have assisted in shaping my career in international business.

As part of my current position at L G Soft India I interact with managers who have graduated from business schools across the globe but I can confidently say that the MBA I left the Graduate School of Management with is equal to those of my contacts.

Lance Smith-MBA 2004
Sales & Marketing Manager, Asia Pacific SGL Carbon Group.

Needing to update my management and business skills for promotion in my organisation I chose the Graduate School of Management to study my MBA. The units offered at the Graduate School of Management provided me with knowledge covering a wide range of management areas giving me credibility with colleagues when discussing issues relating to the organisation.

I think the most rewarding aspects of studying the MBA at the Graduate School of Management was the contact with other students from so many countries around the world. The experience has certainly helped me to communicate more freely with other cultures and to understand different views on how to do business.

Devang Mamtora
Commercialization Manager, Business Intelligence Technologies

Before coming to Australia I was a mid level manager with previous experience in electronics having worked for multinational companies including Accenture and Siemens. My choice of Australia and more importantly La Trobe, was to take advantage of a country rich in diverse cultures with a commonwealth background, a pleasant climate and a university that could offer me the subjects of greatest interest to me with the flexibility that 4 intakes per year offers.
On arrival at La Trobe I found adjusting to a new country and a new way of studying a little challenging but with the help of my fellow students and a little patience it didn't take long to settle into my new way of life. I believe the experience will add to the overall MBA experience and the positive outcomes that I can already identify.
Some of the things that stand out as special for me while studying the MBA include the fun and camaraderie shared by my fellow students and the teaching and learning concepts that have provided me with the chance of putting what I learn into practice in my current part time job. Having the opportunity to build on my career, enjoy my life and study have all added to the experience of studying in Australia.
In the future I look forward to using the knowledge gained while studying the MBA to obtain employment in my area of interest which is consulting in commercializing strategies, marketing and brand building. To assist me to meet this goal I will take the opportunity of attending the Career Workshop that is offered by the GSM in partnership with Hudson Human Capital Solutions.
Devang is now employed as a commercialization manager for Business Intelligence Technologies. The company's head office is located on the La Trobe R & D Park and has branches in Malaysia and Bangalore in India . Management is planning to open a branch/franchise in Mumbai and Devang has been invited to be part of the commercialization and training and development section of the company in Mumbai.

Content Approved by: Head of School
Page maintained by: Business Development Manager
Last Updated: 19 December, 2008