UNSW Canberra Transition Seminar

About

Do you need support making the transition from the military to civilian workforce?

As the education partner of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), UNSW Canberra is committed to supporting current and former members of the ADF, including our alumni, with a particular focus on those making the often challenging transition from the military to the civilian workforce.

Join us for the inaugural UNSW Canberra Transition Seminar, a fully virtual event, which aims to provide tangible advice and answer your questions on transitioning out of the military and landing on your feet in the civilian workforce.

The seminar will feature two live Q&A sessions, the first exploring what you can do to 'Get transition ready' and the other focusing on what you can do to ensure you 'Thrive in the civilian workforce'. Each session will feature a knowledgeable panel, many of whom are veterans themselves, with the experience and understanding to answer your questions and provide advice.

You will also have the opportunity to have one-to-one in-depth discussions about studying at UNSW Canberra and with the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM), including access to scholarships and professional short courses, in the virtual booths.

Further information

Ticket types

You can choose from two different ticket types for this event:

Live Attendee

Choose this ticket if you're interested in attending the virtual event live from 5:30pm - 8:30pm (AEST) on Wednesday 3 November. You will also receive full recordings of each of the live Q&A sessions following the event.

On Demand

Choose this ticket if you're unable to join the virtual event live from 5:30pm - 8:30pm (AEST) on Wednesday 3 November, but would still like to receive a recording of each of the live Q&A sessions following the event.

Click here to register

Program

6:30 - 7:30pm: Virtual Booths

If you'd like to know more about you study options, including Professional Short Courses and Scholarships, at UNSW Canberra and the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) come along for a chat at one of our virtual booths. This is your opportunity to have one-to-one in-depth conversations with real people who can provide you with the answers to your questions.

6:30 - 7:20pm: Session 1 - Getting transition ready

Ask questions of our panel around some of the things you can do to ensure you are ready to successfully make the transition from the military to the civilian workforce. This Q&A session will be led by Mick Cook, Business Development Manager, Defence Research Institute, UNSW Canberra and feature three other amazing panellists ready to answer your questions, big and small.

7:20 - 7:35pm: Short break

7:35 - 8:25pm: Session 2 - Thriving in the civilian workforce

Ask questions of our panel around how you can ensure you land on your feet and thrive in the civilian workforce once you've made the transition. This Q&A session will be led by Adam Frizell, Co-Founder and General Manager, AeroPM and feature three other amazing panellists ready to answer your questions, big and small.

Virtual Booths

The Virtual Booths are your opportunity to have more in-depth conversations how UNSW can support you through your transition. You can enter the booths for one-to-one conversations about your future education, including Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Research Programs and Professional Learning and Short Courses. You will also have the opportunity to discuss support available to you, including scholarships. See below for more information about the Virtual Booths you can visit on the night.

AGSM @ UNSW Business School

Visit the AGSM @ UNSW Business School Virtual Booth to discuss further education and support services available, including scholarships for current and former ADF personnel. Find out more.

UNSW Canberra Student Recruitment

Visit the UNSW Canberra Student Recruitment Virtual Booth to discuss further education at UNSW Canberra, including entry requirements. Find out more.

UNSW Canberra Professional Short Courses

Visit the UNSW Canberra Professional Short Courses Virtual Booth to discuss opportunities for upskilling quickly. Find out more.

UNSW Canberra Alumni & Engagement

Visit the UNSW Canberra Alumni & Engagement Virtual Booth to discuss some of the programs, activities and events that can support you in your transition, including the Career Transition Mentoring Program. Find out more.

Contact

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the event or your accessibility requirements, please reach out to the UNSW Canberra External Engagement Team on events@adfa.edu.au or on (02) 5114 5279.

Meet your speakers

Transition Seminar Emcee

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Matt McCormack

Dr Matt McCormack - Senior Lecturer, UNSW Canberra

Matt is the Postgraduate Coursework Coordinator and Senior Lecturer in the School of Business at UNSW Canberra. Matt is a UNSW Canberra alumnus having graduated from a Master of Arts in 2008, a Graduate Certificate in Defence Studies in 2007, and a PhD in Economics and Management in 2017. Matt spent over 30 years in the Royal Australian Navy. Matt is co-author on the 2021 report Making the Move: Veterans transitioning to a civilian workplace.

Session 1: Getting Transition Ready

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Alison Creagh

Brigadier Alison Creagh AM CSC (Retd) - Chair, Non Executive Director and Strategic Adviser

Following 30 years of service, Alison retired from the Australian Regular Army in March 2015. In 2021, she was recognised as an outstanding Defence Ambassador for the ACT. Alison is a UNSW Canberra alumna, having completed a Graduate Diploma of Management Studies in 1995 and a Master of Defence Studies in 1997. Alison was awarded the UNSW Alumni Award for Professional Achievement in 2021.

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Brett Sangster

Brett Sangster - Partner, McCullough Robertson & Chairperson, AVEC and Wandering Warriors

Brett is a partner with McCullogh Robertson Lawyers where he leads the Defence & National Security practice. He is also a Chairperson at Wandering Warriors and the Australian Veterans Employers Association (AVEC). Brett graduated from RMC in 1999 and served as an Army Officer for 14 years.

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Michele Roberts

Dr Michele Roberts - Associate Professor & Academic Director, Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) @ UNSW Business School

Dr Roberts is an Associate Professor and the Academic Director of AGSM at UNSW Business School, where she oversees the suite of MBA programs. Michele also established and continues to oversee AGSM’s suite of Military Scholarships. In 2015, she helped to establish the Wanderers Education Program, building an education pathway for members of special operations to obtain tertiary qualifications while they serve, and now works with Wandering Warriors to support members of special forces as they transition to a civilian career through education.

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Moderator: Mick Cook

Mick Cook - Business Development Manager, Defence Research Institute, UNSW Canberra

Mick is an award-winning Strategic Communications Expert, and successful Podcast Host and Executive Producer. Mick served as a member of the Australian Army for 20 years, transitioning into the civilian workforce in 2019. Mick is also a UNSW Canberra alumnus, having completed a Bachelor of Arts in 2003 and a Master of Arts in 2013.

Session 2: Thriving in the civilian workforce

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Bec Dyson

Bec Dyson - Project Manager, Penten

Bec Dyson is an energetic and performance focused Project Manager. After a career spanning almost 15 years, Bec left the Australian Army in 2017, and has since worked for Deloitte, BCT Solutions, and now Penten. Bec is a UNSW Canberra alumna, having completed a Bachelor of Arts in 2005 and a Master of Business Administration in 2013.

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Daniel Vincent

Daniel Vincent - National Education Manager, Soldier On

Daniel served in the Australian Army for 16 years with multiple operational tours to East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. Daniel is now the National Education Manager at Soldier On and is responsible for the development of educational programs to support both the veteran and corporate communities. Daniel is a Mentor and Coach to return servicemen and women and individuals that are living with disabilities. He is also a UNSW Canberra alumnus having graduated with a Master of Business in 2017.

Natalie Colbert

Natalie Colbert - Owner, CanPLAY

Natalie is an experienced company director, founder and owner of CanPLAY, Torrens Early Learning, Urambi Early Learning Centre and Majura Park Childcare Centre, who spent over 18 years in the Royal Australian Air Force. Natalie is also Member of the Industry Advisory Committee on Veteran's Employment and a UNSW Canberra and Sydney alumna, having graduated from a Bachelor of Arts in 1996, a Master of Business and Technology in 2001, and a Master of Management Studies in 2004.

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Moderator: Alison Creagh

Brigadier Alison Creagh AM CSC (Retd) - Chair, Non Executive Director and Strategic Adviser