An MBA changed this top cop's worldview

Sachin was a Superintendent of the NT Police when he thought about expanding his skills in leadership and management. His decision to study a Master of Business Administration online at CDU would change his worldview—and his career.

Armed with the knowledge, insight and experience from the MBA program, Sachin is taking his mission to protect the community to the next level.

The right choice

With a commerce degree and diplomas in Policing and Justice Administration already under his belt, Sachin had been working his way through a Graduate Certificate in Strategic Management at CDU.

“Due to the single area of my work which is somewhat specific to the law enforcement industry, I identified the gaps in my professional roundedness as an executive law enforcement officer,” he says. “That was the moment I decided to pursue an MBA.”

CDU was the obvious choice for Sachin, and not just because of its Darwin location.

“CDU provides a world-class education with teaching staff from all over the world,” he says.

Most of my lecturers also had industry experience working for multinational companies, giving us insight into real-world scenarios.

Protecting the community

Sachin developed a critical understanding of how to design and implement processes, both internal and outward facing.

“Learning about my team’s expertise and strengths, our limitations, reading the horizons to scan the future, preparing and implanting policies and practices are the skills I attribute to the MBA program,” he says.

His skills have kept his local community protected.

The knowledge and insights Sachin gained from the program helped him take on the role of Commander of the NT Incident Controller COVID-19 Response, and he has now been promoted to the rank of Commander.

CDU's MBA program has contributed to changing my worldview where I look at my work with a multidimensional lens.

“The NT is a very small jurisdiction with limited resources, but we have provided an excellent response in keeping the virus out of the Northern Territory.”

A must for managers and executives

Sachin notes the importance of sustainability and adapting to “the new normal” as vital to his future career success.

An MBA is one of the essential qualifications all senior managers and executives should invest in, regardless of their field of expertise.

He believes that the operational and strategic management learnings are not limited to the corporate world.

“To me, the tenets of leadership and management are the same and very beneficial when teachings and mechanisms from one industry are applied in another unrelated field,” he says.

“It creates solutions to problems that otherwise may not present themselves.”

Advice for future MBA students

When research is part of the assessment, Sachin recommends choosing topics and areas that are real issues in your field of work. This way, the research findings can directly impact your workplace. 

When choosing electives, however, he says to look outside your comfort zone.

"This has the potential to widen your worldview," he says. "The learnings will equip you to apply different dimensions and creativity to your chosen profession."

Looking back on his experience, Sachin knows the program put him in good stead for the future, both professionally and personally. 

“CDU’s MBA has truly gifted me so much more than academic learnings,” says Sachin.

My CDU lecturers introduced me to a different way of thinking and problem-solving which has better equipped me to serve and protect the NT community.

Considering an MBA? Future-proof your career with CDU's Master of Business Administration.