Anneliese Knight

Looking to transition into a people-focused career, Anneliese enrolled in an MBA to formalise her experience, build new skills and open doors to new opportunities. The decision paid off, helping her successfully move into human resources and organisational development. Today, she serves as Deputy Director Human Resources with the Australian Government, leading people initiatives and supporting organisational success.

Like many AIB students, Anneliese balanced study alongside full-time work, family commitments and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, taking several breaks along the way. We spoke with Anneliese about making a career change, finding the confidence to return to study, and the determination that helped her achieve her MBA goals.

What originally motivated you to enrol in an MBA? 

After 20 years in the hospitality industry across operational and management roles, I was looking for a career change that offered greater leadership opportunities, a stronger focus on human resources, and better work-life balance. As I began applying for roles, I found my operational experience alone was not enough to secure interviews. It seemed that recruiters were not recognising the transferable skills I had developed throughout my career. 

To improve my prospects, I looked for a way to formally recognise my experience in a tertiary setting. AIB appealed to me because it valued my professional experience and recognised it as a suitable foundation for pursuing an MBA. 

What were you hoping the MBA would help you achieve in your career or life? When and how did you achieve it? 

I hoped the MBA would create opportunities for me to transition into a new career, and it did. As soon as I added my MBA studies and subsequent Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma qualifications to my resume, new opportunities began to emerge. 

In 2022, I successfully transitioned from the hospitality industry into my first role as a People’s Services Manager. The MBA gave me both the confidence and credibility to pursue a new career path and demonstrate the value of my experience in a different professional context. 

What led you to take breaks during your MBA? How long were your breaks? 

I began my MBA in 2019 while working full-time, raising a two-year-old child, and balancing family commitments. During the first two years, I took several short breaks when my capacity was limited and my mental health required greater attention. 

I also took a year-long break during the COVID-19 pandemic to focus on a number of personal challenges and priorities. While stepping away from study was not an easy decision, it was the right one at the time and allowed me to return when I was ready to fully commit again. 

How did you manage returning to study while balancing a busy career and personal life? 

AIB was incredibly supportive throughout the periods when I paused my studies, offering practical assistance such as subject deferrals and access to employee assistance services. 

When I was ready to return, a range of support was available to help me regain momentum, including one-on-one sessions with lecturers, study support services, and assistance from the library team. Knowing those resources were available made the transition back into study much more manageable alongside my work and family responsibilities. 

What kept motivating you to come back and continue your MBA after each break? 

Although commencing my MBA had already helped me achieve my goal of changing careers, I was determined to complete the qualification. I had invested significant time, effort and money into my studies, but more importantly, I had invested in myself. 

My greatest motivation was visualising the moment I would graduate. For years, I pictured myself wearing my master’s robes and mortarboard on the steps of Adelaide Town Hall. That vision kept me focused during the more challenging periods and reminded me why I had started the journey in the first place. 

What would you say to an AIB student who has taken a break and is struggling to find the time or motivation to return? 

Stay connected with the Student Services team and keep exploring your options for completing your degree. Not every MBA journey is linear, and sometimes life genuinely gets in the way. 

Many AIB students are balancing work, family and personal commitments alongside their studies, and one of the things I value most about AIB is that it understands those challenges. Taking a break does not mean you’ve failed or that your MBA is over. Sometimes it’s simply a pause, and when the time is right, you can pick up where you left off and continue working towards your goal. 

For students wondering whether it’s worth coming back after time away, Anneliese’s journey is proof that a break can be just that, a pause, not the end of the story. Explore more AIB student stories and hear from graduates who overcame obstacles to achieve their goals.