Is it possible to study an MBA while juggling a family and a career?
This was the question Yass Seccombe asked herself while contemplating her next step.
She was managing 200 employees at a global mining company where she’d been working for 13 years. But her professional life was about to be put on hold as she prepared for the birth of her first child.
Knowing she’d need something to keep her mind engaged while on maternity leave, her boss suggested she consider studying a Master of Business Administration (MBA). After weighing up her options, Yass decided the UQ MBA program was the right choice for her.
“Having not studied in almost 10 years, I didn't know how I was going to juggle maternity leave and then going back to work full time with the program. But I learned there were so many great options at UQ to help me find a balance."
“It was also important for me to stay local so that I could attend classes in person and connect with my classmates and lecturers,” she says.
This is how the flexibility of UQ’s program made study possible for Yass as she navigated parenting a newborn for the first time as well as an unexpected career change.
Flexible study options make MBA study possible
Yass began the MBA while on maternity leave, taking one subject per term, which meant a weekly 3‑hour in‑person class.
“It was challenging studying with my first child not even 6 months old, but I was able to do it because the courses were offered in a flexible way," she says.
"I had the support of my husband and mum, so I could attend sessions at night."
Yass also completed an intensive course over the summer semester, which meant several all-day classes as opposed to just a few hours each week over 12 weeks.
“My mum brought my daughter in to see me for a bit, and she literally sat in class with us. It wasn’t an issue at all. She ended up falling asleep on me," says Yass.
“It was daunting the first time because I didn’t want her to cry, but everyone was so supportive. She became almost like my little mascot in my first couple of semesters and joined me at MBA events. It was helpful to have the facilities to bring her along if I needed to, but also to have evening classes so I could focus on learning.”
“The ability to choose what class format I study, whether a 12-week course or an intensive, and swap between the two, has been critical for making it work.”
Learn more about the flexible study options on offer when studying the UQ MBA.
Turning a career curveball into an exciting new opportunity
After returning from maternity leave, Yass’s workplace went through a major restructure, which resulted in her being offered a redundancy. Having spent her entire professional life at the company, this came as a shock.
“It was a great company," she says.
"Much of my identity was tied up with working there. But I tried to see the redundancy as an opportunity. Yes, it was scary. But if it hadn’t happened then, I might have spent my entire career there.”
What helped her navigate this curveball was having already started the MBA.
“It took a real weight off my shoulders because I'd already started thinking about my future and what I wanted to do long term before that became a more immediate reality," says Yass.
“There was comfort in knowing my MBA studies were mine, separate to my work, and something that was going to continue regardless of the redundancy. It was also reassuring to know that even if I stopped working completely for a period, I could have studied full time to complete the program quickly while looking for a new role."
“Having the support network of my friends from the program, MBA alumni connections I’d made, and the MBA careers consultants helped me navigate my unplanned career change.”
After considering her options, Yass pitched to a company that she and her husband were shareholders of, highlighting the value she could add to the business as an employee.
She was hired as a business manager and now works across multiple mining-associated businesses, ensuring each business remains profitable and grows in a sustainable way. With flexibility in mind, Yass was able to craft her role to ensure she also had time to continue studying and spending time with her daughter.
Yass at a UQ MBA Women's Network social catch-up
Practical insights that spark new passions and possibilities
Yass has found practical relevance in what she’s learning in the MBA through engaging in-class discussions with a diverse cohort and working on projects relevant to her role.
“The teachers encourage the whole class to speak about their experiences,” she says.
“You're not just hearing something theoretical; you're helping each other work through real-life situations."
“I’ve worked in mining my entire career, so it’s easy to see things a certain way. Hearing from people in different backgrounds has been incredibly insightful. The open discussions with a diverse group of people in each subject have given me new perspective many times."
“Through assessment, I've been able to focus on something related to work or personal development in every subject," says Yass.
"For one group assignment, we interviewed a company’s CEO and got real insight to support our assessment. Because the CEO was from a company I was working with professionally, I was also able to improve my understanding of the business at the same time.”
Yass presenting a group assignment with her peers
Yass's MBA has also allowed her to discover new areas of interest, and she’s getting more out of each course than she ever imagined.
“I was dreading doing the accounting course... but instead of relief at the end of it, I realised it was extremely helpful," she says.
"That's been the experience with each of the subjects. I’m getting so much more out of them than I thought I would, and things I can apply straight away. I’ll attend a lecture and then go sort that thing out at work the next week, which helps me cement the new knowledge.”
How the MBA is preparing Yass for her next chapter
As well as giving her the frameworks and insights to succeed in her current role, Yass says the MBA is helping her prepare for future career moves.
“While I’ve already worked in management roles, the MBA is broadening my understanding across more areas than what I've had previous experience in. This has been very helpful and important, particularly for being able to relate to people and have better context."
“Through the MBA, I’ve developed a personal interest in boards, stewardship and governance work, and would like to have a portfolio career down the track. So, having a governance lens as part of each subject has been helpful. We look at case studies as examples of when things have gone well, as well as when they went wrong," she says.
“I don't want to just do one thing in my future career. I’d like to do a mix of supporting businesses and the non-profit sector through strategy or specific challenges, like increasing female participation. Whatever their challenge, I can apply the skillset I’ve gained through the MBA to help solve any problem."
Yass at the UQ Ventures Empower program demo day
Beyond the classroom, Yass has found the support of the dedicated MBA Careers and Professional Development Team invaluable in helping her identify goals and prepare to achieve them.
“I meet regularly with one of the career consultants, who encouraged me to complete an Odyssey plan as part of the Career Milestones Program. This helped me identify goals I can continue working towards even after the MBA," she says.
“I’ve also attended different careers events including employer mixers, where I had conversations with different employers about what I’d need to do if I wanted to work for them one day.”
Yass is now a mother of two and is set to complete her MBA in late 2026.
Discover how a UQ MBA could power your next career move.
