School of Life Lays Strong Foundations

Certificates in fashion and digital design were powerful starting blocks for Alexandria (Sanka) Meredith – but it wasn’t until she began Whitecliffe’s new Master of Creative Enterprise and Innovation that she really hit her stride. “I enrolled in the master’s programme because I was interested in becoming a designer and founder in the creative industry. I’d completed fashion and digital design certificates but felt like I wanted something more, something bigger,” explains Sanka. “I wasn’t interested in committing to a long-term full-time study plan of several years so I jumped the gun and aimed for the top, hoping that my career experience would land me a spot on the MCEI programme.”

She may not have had a bachelor’s degree, but with plenty of life experience and 20 years helping run the family business, MCEI Head of Programme Dr Mark Bradford knew Sanka had all the right ingredients for entrepreneurial success. “One of the many advantages of our new MCEI is that there are a range of students who are able to do it,” explains Mark. “Often not having a degree shuts people out, but that’s one of the beauties of this course – you may not have the piece of paper but we also value life experience, drive and motivation. There are so many people with awesome ideas and heaps of experience but they can’t take it to the next level because they don’t have a bachelor’s degree. It’s been awesome to see the surprise on people’s faces when we say we respect what you’ve done, and we believe you’ve got what it takes.”

Those very words were music to Sanka’s ears. “This course is serving me a great deal because I’ve always been a creative and critical thinker but I didn’t know what to do with it,” she says. “I feel an idea is a tricky thing because you spend time talking about it but cannot physically see it or touch it. I’m now learning techniques to process these ideas into something that actually serves a purpose – I’m learning how to make my ideas visible and tangible.” For Sanka it marked the beginning of a bright new future – “I’m thrilled for the direction my career is headed. I can’t wait for the next chapter!”