Not many degrees can claim a 100% employment success rate, but every graduate from the first cohort of Griffith University’s Bachelor of Commerce (Professional) gained full-time employment in their chosen field.

Students undertaking this award-winning degree complete one year of full-time study at Logan campus, across three teaching periods (or trimesters). This is followed by two years of part-time study while being paid as a financial planning or accounting intern.

A key element of this degree is the Professional Development Program (PDP), sponsored by CPA Australia.

PDP co-ordinator, Craig Cameron (pictured), said the PDP provided students with the opportunity to participate in a series of practical workshops and presentations.

One such event takes place on Thursday 2 February 2012 at Griffith’s Logan campus.

Paul Cooper, founder of Cooper Reeves accountants and former director of CPA Australia, will deliver the keynote address: “When financial planning met accounting: the new professional partnership”.

The Industry Breakfast follows, when students will have the opportunity to apply their networking skills while meeting accounting and financial planning professionals.

“Through the opportunities provided by the program Griffith students acquire the professional skills they need to be work-ready,” Mr Cameron said.

“It also provides vital opportunities to network and gain experience with industry leaders, such as AMP, Wealthfarm and Bentleys,” he said.

Professor Lorelle Frazer, Griffith Business School Dean (Learning and Teaching), said the key to the program’s continuing success lies with this industry partner involvement.

“Industry participation in the design and delivery of the PDP is what makes the Bachelor of Commerce degree unique,” Professor Frazer said.

Bachelor of Commerce (Professional) graduate, Shannon Gorman, has secured a job with Ernst & Young. Like Shannon, many of the students in her year were snapped up by the company where they completed their internships.

Shannon said the combination of work and study can be challenging, but her job with Ernst & Young has made it all worthwhile.

“In the end, I had so much practical knowledge and experience through my internship with Ernst & Young, I started at a higher level than I would have as a normal graduate,” Shannon said.

For further information about the Professional Development Program, please contact Jo Hams on (07) 3382 1254 or [email protected]

More information about the professional degree is available at:

www.griffith.edu.au/business/professional-business-degrees