FOBWatch

T + 61 7 4631 2941	F + 61 7 4631 2625
E business.experience@usq.edu.au	W www.usq.edu.au/business/currentstudents

ISSUE: 04

MARCH, 2007

Where's Phil?
Photo Competition

For those of you not in the know, Phil the Phoenix is the official mascot of USQ. As part of the University’s 40th Anniversary celebrations in 2007 we are running a Where’s Phil? Photo Competition. This global competition enables you to be a part of our celebrations, whether you are a student in Singapore, an Alumnus in Argentina or a tutor in Toowoomba.

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to take a photo of you and Phil the Phoenix and upload this image onto a community photo sharing website called Flickr. The primary goal of this competition is to have fun, experience the diversity of the USQ community and maybe win the grand prize.

Anyone can enter so tell your friends!

Important Other Newsletters

For Fraser Coast Students:
'Fraser Coast Student Newsletter'
For First Year Students:
'The First Year Experience'
For Accounting Students:
'acCOUNT'

Feeling Overwhelmed?

Look at all your options

Are you feeling a little overwhelmed? This may be particularly the case if this is your first semester of study. Or, perhaps you have other complicated work or family pressures? That's okay - you are not on your own.

Free & Confidential Help

It's important not to panic. You do have options. Before you make a decision to withdraw or give up on your learning journey, make sure you are at least informed about your options.

Additional help?

Use the University Support Services available from Student Services

Help us to help you - contact the Faculty of Business Student Support Team.

Update Your Personal Details

Do you know someone who did not receive this newsletter? Do you sometimes feel out of the loop? Perhaps we haven’t been able to contact you about important events? Why not take a moment to update your personal details now at USQConnect/USQAdmin then click on ‘My Contact Details’.

What's On

March
16-25	Peace Festival, Warwick Email: info@peacefestival.org.au WEB www.peacefestival.org.au
Wednesday 21	Mixed Futsal Lunchtime Sport Comp, CBRC, Toowoomba Campus
	Mixed Tennis Lunchtime Sport Comp, CBRC, Toowoomba Campus
	Beach Party @ USQ Club
Thursday 22	Toowoomba Show Holiday (official public holiday here in Toowoomba)
Friday 23	Career Fair, Refectory, Toowoomba 11.00am-3.00pm. Over 60 organisations are recruiting USQ students from all disciplines now so don't miss out on a graduate job.
Wednesday 28	Ministry of Sound Clubbers Guide @ The USQ Club
	Mixed Volleyball Lunchtime Sport Comp starts, CBRC, Toowoomba Campus
Thursday 29	USQ Graduation Ceremony, 7.00pm Singapore
Friday 30	Semester 1 Census Date. Last date to drop S1 courses without academic or financial penalty.
Friday 23	Arvo Kickback 4-6pm The USQClub (Toowoomba) Chance to win an iPod!
Saturday 31	Intercampus Duathlon Open to all staff and students of USQ intercampus duathlon details
April
Sunday 01	USQ Graduation Ceremony, 4.00pm Kuala Lumpur
Friday 6	Good Friday (official national public holiday)
Monday 9	Easter Monday (official national public holiday)
10-20	Mid Semester Break
Friday 13	Final Exam timetable published on web
Wednesday 25	Anzac Day (official national public holiday)
Saturday 28	USQ Graduation Ceremony for all Business Graduates, 10.00am Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre, TWMBA

Free Support Services

USQ has a fantastic range of Support Services available both online and on all campuses. If you need help, you just need to ask!

For Academic Support

Academic Learning Support (ALSonline) – Extensive Online Resource
Large range of topics available including “Effective Study”, “Motivation and Planning”, Academic Writing and passing Assessments
The Learning Centre
Refer to the above website for a complete outline as to what is available at your campus and online
USQ Library – Database Guide and Referencing Guide Support
USQ Assist – general question/answer database
Faculty of Business – Student Administration Support – if you need assistance with the structure of your program (degree) or course enrolments.

Undergraduate Students:
Email: business.undergrad@usq.edu.au, or
Phone 07 4631 2861 for an appointment or phone consultation.

Postgraduate Students:
Email: business.postgrad@usq.edu.au or
Phone 07 4631 1277 for an appointment or phone consultation.

For Technical Assistance

Information and Communication Technology

For Financial Advice and Support

Assistance with managing your finances while studying.
(Including Employer Scholarship Information).

For Personal Support

Student Services Counselling Services – confidential registered Psychologists available for Personal and Career Counselling.
Appointments are available on-campus (Toowoomba, Fraser Coast, Springfield) or via telephone consultations. Refer to the following websites for complete contact details for your own campus.

Student Services

USQ Chaplaincy

New USQ Law Degree for 2008

A fully accredited suite of Law Degrees will be offered at the University of Southern Queensland commencing in February 2008. The Bachelor of Laws and postgraduate Juris Doctor law degrees will enable graduates to become barristers and solicitors in Queensland and elsewhere.

The Bachelor of Laws degree can be combined with Arts, Business and Commerce degrees or taken as a stand alone degree. Combined degrees give students a competitive advantage in the business world by providing a well-rounded and diverse set of professional skills to offer future employers. Combined degrees are designed for those who want the flexibility and variety of knowledge and skills offered by a combination of subjects across various disciplines.

Within the Law degree there will be the opportunity for students to specialise in areas of their interest such as International law, environmental law, commercial law and general practice. There will also be a Juris Doctor offered which is the equivalent of the law degree but an abbreviated version catering for those who already have a degree.

The Senior Lecturer in the USQ Law School, Mr Mark Tranter, explained that, “The specialisations within the law degree have been chosen to cater for a variety of student interests. However, they will also lead to a career path within the legal profession. In particular for local students, the general practice electives are an option which will place them in great demand from legal firms looking for job ready trainees. This is the USQ Law Schools response to a specific demand from the profession.”

Naturally a legal career is not the only path law graduates head these days. Many find jobs in the corporate world and government.

Law has a long history at USQ with law courses being taught for over 35 years. Many of the Faculty of Business law staff are qualified solicitors or barristers and some are currently practising part-time in the private legal profession.

For more information contact:
studybus@usq.edu.au

Noticeboard

New USQ Alumni Website

The development of the USQ Alumni website, is the first step in achieving our objective of reconnecting with as many alumni as possible. We now have a formal mechanism for USQ graduates to make contact and register their interest in becoming more involved with their
University. If you have friends, neighbours or relatives who are USQ Graduates, please encourage them to register.

USQ Visits High School Conventions

Dr Anthony Gray, Head of Department of Law, recently represented USQ at a Schools Constitutional Convention in Toowoomba and Fraser Coast. High school students in both regions have been inspired to think about the law and human rights in their career and study pathways. Feedback from teachers and students indicated Anthony's presentation was both interesting and challenging and certainly engaged students.

Feeling Isolated?

We would love to hear from our Distance Education Students

We have recently asked Distance Education Students how we can help them feel less isolated. Their responses indicated that hearing the trials and tribulations of other Distance Education Students was helpful.

Why not share your story? Please send 200 words about yourself and an electronic photo (if possible) to:

Email: business.experience@usq.edu.au

USQ Comes ALIVE

Have you ever wondered what USQ Toowoomba actually looks like?

To experience a 3D virtual model of the USQ Toowoomba Campus, go to USQAlive and download the ALIVE Software (Test Version).

When run, you will be able to use the arrow keys to move around a 3D representation of the Main Entrance and Quad.

You can also chat to other "real" people in the environment by clicking on the Login button and using your USQConnect username and password. Once connected, walk-up to someone and start typing to chat.

The application currently runs in Windows and has been tested on a Pentium III. (Yes we are currently investigating Mac and Linux versions).

Have a go! All feedback appreciated.

Soapbox

WE HAVE BIG SHOULDERS!

Why not tell us about what really bothers you about your experience at USQ?

Email: business.experience@usq.edu.au

REMEMBER
It's OK to ask for help. After all, it keeps us out of mischief!

Elite Athletes at USQ

In 2004 USQ joined 26 other Australian Universities who form the Elite Athlete Friendly University Network. This network was established to assist universities in supporting their student athletes who have to deal with competing demands on their time. Sporting commitments and academic goals combine to make it difficult for this student group to achieve their full academic potential.

USQ offers an Elite Athlete support program providing student athletes with a range of support services, including assistance with assessment, timetables, cross institutional study, enrolment, examinations and attendance issues.
The program currently has 70+ current student athletes with over 16 of those students studying business programs.
Faculty of Business Alumni Elite Athletes include David Giffin (Rugby Union), Mark Bartholomeusz (Rugby Union), Joe Roff (Rugby Union) and Tracey Trundle (Dancer)

The USQ Elite Athlete Support Program would like to congratulate the Faculty of Business latest graduate, Simon Kasprowicz who will graduate from Bachelor of Business in April.

Academic Staff Activities

Did you know that our Academic staff do more than teach? Writing and presenting papers is an integral part of academic life. The Faculty of Business pride ourselves on the quality of our staff. Here are some of their achievements:

Barrie Todhunter, London, "International Symposium on Commercial Management".

Mark Tranter, Lecturer in Law - Green or Traditional electricity - a look at a recent examples of both in the Darling Downs

Dr Kieran James, Senior Lecturer in Accounting - published the following papers:

A Critical Theory and Postmodernist approach to the teaching of Accounting Theory, Critical Perspectives on Accounting, forthcoming, available at www.sciencedirect.com, go to journal name, then Articles in Press.

James, K., How, J. & Verhoeven, P. Did the goodwill accounting standard impose material economic consequences upon Australian acquirers? Accounting & Finance (forthcoming).

Scholarship Winners

The Heritage Building Society annually sponsor four 2nd and 3rd year scholarships for continuing students. To mark the occasion USQ Faculty of Business staff donned full academic dress and Heritage executive staff attended a presentation ceremony held during O'Week in Toowoomba. Faculty of Business Dean, Professor Allan Layton, said “The scholarship recipients are of a very high calibre and I congratulate each student on their decision to study with USQ.” Heritage Building Society CEO, Mr John Minz, presented the bursaries valued at $3000 each and spoke on behalf of Heritage. Many of our graduates now work for Heritage Building Society and so the strong relationship it has with USQ Business is the result of many years of co-support. The four Heritage scholarships recipients for 2007 are: Kylie Betheras- Gary Moor Memorial Scholarship in Marketing Lorna Cross- Geoff McClune Memorial Scholarship in Human Resource Management Jeremy Cox- Len Ludgate Scholarship in Information Technology Briony Carey- Don Stevens Scholarship in Commerce All Heritage Building Society Scholarship Winners are in their second or third year of study and are high achievers in their chosen major.
USQ Career Fair 2007
The USQ Career Fair will be held on Friday 23rd March from 11am-3pm at the Toowoomba campus Refectory. There will be over 65 organisations from across the country attending the fair to speak to USQ students about applying for their graduate jobs. Most major organisations recruit for their graduate programs in March/April each year so don't wait until the end of the year to apply for graduate jobs, start NOW!!! While the Career Fair is very beneficial for final year students applying for graduate jobs, it is also important for all students to attend. Continuing students can come along and talk to the employers about what job options are available and what skills they look for so that students can develop the necessary skills in the coming years. There will be heaps of great freebies and final year students can collect their free copy of Graduate Opportunities, Unigrad and Grad Careers, the three main graduate publications that list a great number of graduate employers. There will also be a Career Fair party in the quad with pizza, red bull giveaways, music and activities. Come along and enjoy the atmosphere and speak to some employers to secure your future career.

Business Bargains

TV/Video cabinet - timber, lattice doors and cupboards below for storage - $280; Gas heater (natural) electronic start - $240; Antique pine dresser, 2 drawers, swivel mirror - $320; Air cooler, mobile - $55.

Contact: ashmanp@usq.edu.au
Toowoomba campus

LIKE TO INCLUDE YOUR ITEM IN BUSINESS BARGAINS?
Student submissions welcome. Please email: business.experience@usq.edu.au

Library Assistance

Are you a new Business student or would like to know more about the Library? Check out the fortnightly Business Faculty Librarian's pod casts covering using the Library and its resources.

Finding Information for Your Assignments - Library Classes

Trying to find information for that first assignment?

Book into an introductory and/or advanced class during weeks 2 to 5 of Semester to get you started with finding and using information effectively.

Fee Information

Do you have questions about your fees?

Student Administration
Here to help you

Student Administration

Reminder: Don't forget to enrol in courses for Semester 2 and Semester 3.

We encourage you to enrol now for the remainder of the year. Consider it another tick off the list of things to do. Once done, you don't have to give it another thought.

Phone:	1800 010 201 or 07 4631 2063
Email:	cenrolq@usq.edu.au
Visit:	B Block, Toowoomba Campus

Important Dates for Semester 1:

March	9	Last date to add courses
	16	Payment Due Date
	30	Last date to drop courses without academic or financial penalty
April	6-20	Easter & mid Semester break
June	18-29	Exam period
July	13	Results released

Student Profile

My name is Lorna Cross. I was both amused and horrified at providing a student profile.

But now I see it as an opportunity to share and perhaps inspire other external students. I live on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland and I love the life style studying externally enables. I started in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Business & Organisational Communication and Media Studies. Other than the 6 months of wanting to be an air stewardess, I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I just knew I liked working with people. My fascination for people led me to the hospitality industry and I have also worked as a photographer, in retail and tourism.

My drive to learn and create has served me well. As a bartender I have won State and National original cocktail competitions. As a photographer, some of my images won awards with the AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photographers). As a woman I have found my soul mate where we continue to evolve and grow both as individuals and together. Not a natural academic (I bailed from school at 13 to travel and find myself), I have had to put in a lot of extra hours to get as much as I can from my time at USQ. Along the way, the results have come despite all the challenges, or perhaps because of the challenges! I discovered Human Resource Management and uncovered what it was I wanted to do with my life. I want to be in a position where I can bring the feeling of satisfaction, well-being and fulfilment to others on a long-term scale, by helping people where they spend the majority of their waking life – in the workplace! So I changed my degree to a Bachelor of Business, majoring in HRM.

It is such an exciting time to be entering the field of HRM in light of the changing political and social environment affecting the world we work in. With the implementation of policies relevant to individuals, I believe as a passionate HR manager I can help the business community meet organisational objectives by enabling people to meet personal goals and self-actualisation in the work place. I will help business get higher productivity and innovation from their employees, and help employees be all they can be. This is why I have chosen to study Human Resource Management as a way of fulfilling my desire to contribute. I love studying HRM, my only frustration has been the slow pace forced by having to balance my studies, family, work and previous health issues. An opportunity arose last year to enable me to step up the pace and get on with my degree by studying fulltime in 2007. I was successful in my scholarship application with Heritage Building Society for The Geoff McClune Memorial Scholarship in Human Resource Management. The scholarship also provides the amazing learning opportunity of two weeks work experience where I will endeavour to gain as much insight and knowledge as humanly possible! I don’t think they know what they have let themselves in for! Perhaps when I rock up on a motorbike it may suggest that I live my life to the full and I want to achieve all that I can.

Photo: From Left: Heritage CEO John Minz Heritage Building Society Scholarship Winner Lorna Cross and Dean, Faculty of Business, Professor Allan Layton

Employment

CareerHub is the internet employment service for USQ Students. You can access casual, vacation, part-time and Graduate positions 24 hours a day. Simply log on using your student number and USQConnect password.

The following websites provide extensive careers and employment information for students about industries, potential employers, employment statistics and average salaries, as well as job advertisements for graduates and students.

USQ CareerHub Jobs

NAB Agribusiness New Entrant Program - If you've ever dreamt of combining your banking smarts with a love of the land, then NAB's Agribusiness Unit is the opportunity for you, providing banking services to around one-in-three Aussie farmers.

HR Graduate - Are you looking for a great place to grow your career and your future? Ergon Energy's Graduate Program offers the exciting prospect of travel, opportunities for career advancement, plus so much more. As a Human Resources Graduate, you will have access to more experiences than you could ever thought possible. You will work with our Employee & Shared Services business unit and be rotated through three main areas: Culture & Change, Learning & Development and HR Services.

Virgin Blue Finance Grad Program - The Virgin Blue graduate program is a new, boutique program which will offer two graduates with an accounting major the opportunity to kick start their career with valuable and varied work experience complimented with the mentoring of qualified accountants.

Business/Marketing Graduates - At Ergon Energy we do everything in our power to keep our customers satisfied. As a Business/Marketing Graduate your task is to learn how to ultimately deliver our vision to be a 'world-class, customer-driven energy business'. You will work in our Customer Service business unit.

Casual
McKenna Bourbon Ambassadors - Needed McKenna Bourbon Brand Ambassadors to work in pairs and promote the McKenna brand throughout Bottle Shops, Venues etc over the next 3 months