So the last month(ish) has seen no updates, but it's not because I haven't been doing anything, it's because I've been lazy and doing other things. Firstly, I chaired AIESEC's state Conference with Al Speirs, which was again a great experience. It's amazing to see how well AIESEC Qld has done in getting so many talented and eager new members. The conference had over 90 people, which is a far cry from the 40-50 that it normally gets! Of course along with the great sessions and big learning experiences from everyone who went (either as a delegate, facilitator, oc or chair), there was the annual skölling competition for the XXXX cup, and alumni won the coveted cup in a blazing effort. That means I've been part of the winning team of that cup 4 times in 5 years!

Also, after a mammoth period at work, we presented the largest demo I've been involved in to a potential client. We found out we didn't get the deal in the end which was a bit surprising, but was a fantastic challenge none the less. Otherwise at work things are going well, I'm enjoying getting the opportunity to present to clients more and more, and will at the end of the month present an hour session to QUT Accounting students. Ironic that they're getting an IT salesman with a background in HR to tell them about it :)

I've been down to sydney and had the most fantastic time, seeing everyone at Sveta, Susu and Jeremy's housewarming/red party, going to the Minus5 Ice-bar at Circular Quay, seeing movies, going to the Museum of Sydney, and the Wooloomooloo Community festival with Gabi. It was the best way to relax after the most stressful time in a long time!
Another reason it was stressful was because of the unit renovations, but I can say that the place looks freaking awesome (pictures still to come... yep, still no camera). So to celebrate the sweet looking pad, we had a toga party on Friday night. I think toga's are the way of the future... And I'm glad I got over the stomach bug/thing I had for the week, argh, I pride myself on never being sick, but this one had me feeling horrible. Surprising then that I had a lovely seafood lunch with Mum, Nana, David, Yvette and Brett (Jr) for mothers day on the Gold Coast. If it weren't for having to do the long train ride that I did most days of 3 years before moving to Sydney I'd definitely be down there more often. (Brett is soo cute. He has this knack for attracting good looking waitresses who adore him to the table which seems to be a skill that might get him into trouble in the future! ah to have curly blonde hair and great big blue eyes! :)

Now heading into some painfully busy weeks at uni with assignments and then into exam block. Starting to feel like I've got motivation to study again which is coming in at the right time and means I don't do the homework begrudgingly. Another semester of 6's and 7's? Hopefully! Fortunately the lack of any decent rain for however long it has been means that the last round of golf was terrible (to the point of having to tee up shots on the fairway!), so I'm not lamenting the lack of chasing the little white ball for the time being!

Labels: AIESEC, Brett Gibson, Family, Fun, Holidays, Home, QUT, Technology One, Update, Work

My favourite piece of reading at the moment is the Australian Fin Review, doesn't carry the tabloid articles the Courier Mail/Daily Telegraph churn out, have some insightful articles and keeps abreast of business and world news (although for world news it's got to be the economist). So imagine my surprise when reading through the fin last week and I saw an article that mentioned a project I worked on. "Students graduate to big-buck salaries" Australian Financial Review, Friday 19th November 2006. (Front Page, Page 49)


The article was written up about graduate salaries and how the shortage of skilled graduates coming out of australian universities are pushing up the starting salaries. A spokesperson for BHP Billiton mentioned that they were bringing international graduates into the Australian Graduate program for the first time ever. This was a large proportion of my work as National Partnerships Manager for AIESEC Australia.

Funny that two other people mentioned in the article Ben Reeves (AAGE) and Sharon Bell (PwC) were two other people I'd interacted with in the role. Small world, huh!

Anyway, it's the first mention of a project I've worked on which has been published in something better than the Gold Coast Bulletin. So I've kpet a copy. Eventually I may have a notebook full of my clippings (and hopefully most of them won't be about a disgraced corporate fall from grace, or something to that effect!!!).

Labels: AIESEC, Brett Gibson, Work, World Domination

I've found out this week I have 9 units to go. At max of 4 subjects a semester (and no summer units that count), thats another 18 months. This would mean I will graduate in July 2008, just 6 and a half years after i started. Not bad for a 4.5 year degree. Sure it's no match for some of the perpetual students at university (generally in marketing or arts :), but I actually want to get out - the world awaits!

When I first heard the news I was a bit depressed, I mean seriously 6.5 years!?!? But then looking at it again, I thought, I'll walk out with: 1.5 years experience as national/company director level, a year as a local office manager, 6 months as project manager, 2 years on various global virtual teams. Outside of AIESEC (Some say AIESEC isn't the 'real world', but I say it's harder - I get paid a lot more now than I used to and I do a lot less!), I'll have over a year of corporate sales experience with a fairly large, growing company to complement the 3 year 'voluntary selling' and 1.5 years full-time selling.

On top of that, I've helped define the future Information Systems of AIESEC globally, conferenced and travelled to Indonesia, Netherlands, UK and Czech Republic. Learnt a ton from the conference's facilitated, run and planned. And while listed last, I'd say one of the largest parts of my time in AIESEC, is the amazing individuals I've met and will keep in touch with or run into in the future. And that's all in AIESEC.

Now, adding up all that time (and I'm not even including other semi-regional roles) and I count 10.5 years experience, 4 countries (5 incl Australia) and hundreds of individuals that I would consdier to be the make-up of my recent life and work experience.

When I started university in 2002, I thought itd be a few short years and then I'd be out and working, earning big $'s and climbing the corporate ladder. Interesting how the decisions you make change things... looking back, I wouldn't change a thing.

(Also, I am applying for credit for 2 HR/Management subjects and an IT subject based on experience - fingers crossed I may just walk out end of 2007!)

Labels: AIESEC, Brett Gibson, QUT, Work

I'd like to introduce myself.
Just about everyone who reads this will probably know me, but may not have seen me or heard from me in a while (I email about as often as I blog...). And I hate randomly clicking links on pages to friends of friends blogs and not have a clue.

So, most would know me as an AIESECer. While I'm glad to be an alumnus, I am no longer in AIESEC, because I reckon 5 years is enough time to discover and develop my potential. I had a great time in AIESEC, from University Relations to Corporate Marketing, Project Manager and Company Director (MCVPER). Yes it takes up time, but what worthwhile thing doesn't? In that time I've managed to stay in Prague, Netherlands, Indonesia and London. Plus delivered week long conferences to nearly 200 people! What 22 year old could say that?!?!? Overall it's given me a lifetime of friends (I'll email some after this posting...), great memories, a broken nose, the greatest high's and many, many lovely ladies.

But in all honesty, AIESEC gave me a better idea of where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. And it provided a great platform to help me get there through the experiences and people I met.

And while I was doing AIESEC, I was also at the university for the real world, QUT. B.Bus(HRM)/B.IT(InfoSys), it's taken a lot longer than I thought it would, but in just over a year I expect to be finished! It wasnt all in vain though, turns out with some minor adjustments to my initial enrolment, 5 years later I still want to work int he area that needs both degrees and Im more set than ever on getting there! I want to assist in change management where large scale Information Systems (or ERP Systems) impact on peoples' lives. So I get to make money and make the world a bit easier for many people at the same time.

And finally, after a few false starts with a couple of companies I'm finally working again! While the graduate offers came quite nicely, unfortunately the part-time roles weren't as forthcoming. I'm now working as a Junior Pre-Sales Consultant for Technology One in their head office in brisbane. They're a really exciting company who make some phenominal software. My role focuses mostly around the Finacials system, and today I looked at my first tender (just under 800 questions!) and put together a Pruchase Requisition Workflow diagram. Previously I wouldn't have thought about a smaller (non-global) company, or an accounting system (preferring the HR side), but it seems like there's lots of challenge, opportunity and growth ahead. Global expansion, upgrades, presentations and pre-sales. sweet.

Labels: AIESEC, Brett Gibson, Technology One, Work