How a Milpark BBA Opened Doors for Donavan Picota Abroad

Though already successful in his career, Donavan’s wife knew he still dreamt of graduating with distinction. "She encouraged me to study, telling me to ‘Do it for yourself,’" he recalls.  

Their growing family added motivation. "I wanted to show our children they could achieve anything they set their minds to. You can’t force your kids to do something, but you can show them what’s possible." 

Donavan initially enrolled in Milpark’s Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) programme, but his demanding job, frequent travel and growing family made it extremely difficult. After several stops and starts, he reassessed his choice and decided to switch to a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a focus on Human Resources – as a better fit for his manager role. "A business can’t run if the people are unhappy," he explains. 

The programme was much more relevant to Donavan’s work, and he found it easy to apply what he was learning in day-to-day life. In his final year, the family decided to emigrate, adding another layer of complexity. Donavan found himself juggling work, family and studies, at the same time as selling their home and trying to find a job and place to live.  

Thanks to Milpark’s flexible approach he was able to succeed. "Having a structured, distance-learning programme was critical. I wrote my last Milpark module in Australia, a possibility I hadn’t even thought of when I started the course.“ 

In November 2023, Donavan finally achieved his dream of graduating with distinction. "I was over the moon to get my degree. It’s what I was aiming for, but when we decided to emigrate, I worried it might not be possible." 

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Starting over professionally in Australia revealed how much his degree mattered. "Here, they generally want local experience," Donavan explains. "Your background doesn’t carry as much weight, so having qualifications is essential." He quickly saw how his degree validated his skills in a market that heavily values formal qualifications. "Having the degree made a big difference; it would have been a lot harder if I didn’t have it." 

In addition to its value in the job market, Donavan found his degree gave him confidence and credibility which combined with his typical South African adaptability, has helped him find a way forward.

Donavan’s journey from South Africa to Australia demonstrates the practical and transformative power of education. "If you’re thinking about studying, start today and stop putting it off," he advises. "It only gets harder when you wait."  

For Donavan, earning his degree wasn’t just a milestone; it was a foundation for new possibilities, a source of personal pride, and a way to set an example for his children. 

"Milpark’s flexible approach made it possible for me to achieve my goals," he concludes. "It’s more than just a degree – it’s a doorway to a new chapter in life, both personally and professionally." 

An internationally recognised qualification can be a powerful asset when navigating professional environments abroad. For Donavan, his Milpark BBA validated his expertise and opened doors in a competitive job market. 

Ready to advance your career globally? Discover Milpark’s internationally recognised online learning courses. 

Connect with Donavan Picota on LinkedIn to learn firsthand how his Milpark degree is helping him build a successful career in Australia.