- Studying Business isn’t just about profit anymore—it’s about purpose, people, and creating impact.
- At Australian Catholic University, Dr Joanna Vogeley helps students shape a future where business solves real-world problems.
- Dr Vogeley’s journey through four countries shows how study abroad experiences do more than build a CV—they challenge assumptions, open minds, and help you develop the cultural intelligence needed to lead globally.
What if you could study Business and, at the same time, make the world a better place? Sounds like a good deal, right? Well, good news: that’s exactly what Dr Joanna Vogeley does with her students at the Australian Catholic University in Sydney.
Dr Joanna Vogeley is a lecturer at the ACU and holds two PhDs—one in Impact Investing and another in Social Entrepreneurship. She uses her skills to show future business leaders how to build companies that don’t just make money but make a difference.
In this interview, Dr. Vogeley shares her journey across four countries, her insights into the Australian education system, and why studying business today is about more than just profit—it's about people, purpose, and preparing for a world where social good and locally-informed global thinking drive meaningful change. While AI offers powerful tools for business innovation, she encourages students to approach it carefully, weighing its transformative potential and risks.
Thinking about studying Business abroad? Here’s why it’s worth it
Studyportals: Would you recommend that students study abroad?
Joanna Vogeley: Without question, it's transformative! I’ve studied in Poland, Germany, Indonesia and Australia—and each place shaped how I see the world. My counsel to students is this: approach every new culture with humility and genuine curiosity. Every society operates by its own sophisticated logic and deeply-rooted norms. What initially appears foreign or puzzling often reveals profound wisdom once you understand the cultural context. Students who fully embrace these differences don't just gain international experience—they develop the cross-cultural intelligence that's essential for leading in our interconnected world.
True humanity emerges when we collaborate with open hearts, seeing people for who they are, not where they came from.
Studyportals: Can you share a personal example of how studying abroad changed you?
Joanna Vogeley: Moving to Australia opened my eyes in unexpected ways. Being so geographically close to Indonesia created opportunities I never had before. I could actually engage with marginalised communities there through collaborative research projects. Working with multidisciplinary teams across borders showed me how limited the dominant Western business perspective really is. Now I collaborate regularly with Indonesian scholars to develop solutions for communities facing climate disasters among others.
Studyportals: How does studying abroad change students' lives?
Joanna Vogeley: What's remarkable is watching students discover that their way of learning and thinking isn't the only way. It's just one way among many valid approaches. They start questioning assumptions they didn't even know they had. But beyond this personal transformation, there's a practical advantage: the global networks they build become pathways to incredible career opportunities. These aren't just academic connections. They're relationships that can shape their professional futures in ways they never imagined.
Studyportals: Have you taught in universities outside Australia?
Joanna Vogeley: Yes, Indonesia. I give guest lectures there, and every visit reinforces something profound for me.
The business world is so much richer when we step beyond the dominant Western frameworks that often limit our thinking. There are entire unique systems of knowledge.
Real companies, real projects
Studyportals: What makes the Australian education system special?
Joanna Vogeley:From my own experience, Australian education is all about independent thinking and applying knowledge to real challenges. European students often say, “I love it because it’s practical, we work on real projects for real companies.”
Australia’s education system is future-focused, industry-connected, and designed to give students real-world skills. Our new Bachelor of Business reflects this, offering hands-on learning, global collaboration, and professional experience that prepares students for the future of work.
For example, this year, our students worked with IIX, a pioneering Singaporean impact investment firm, to solve real-world business challenges. They explored strategies for entering the Australian market and supporting local communities through innovative tools like social bonds, investments that deliver measurable social and environmental impact. This kind of hands-on, purpose-driven learning is exactly what students can expect from our new Bachelor of Business.
Studyportals: Is this kind of real-world learning common in Australia?
Joanna Vogeley: It’s a big part of how we do things, especially at ACU. That’s why we’re launching a new Bachelor of Business in 2026, designed in partnership with industry to give students the flexibility to follow their interests while building the practical skills and experience employers are looking for. Students will gain experience of software’s used in the industry as part of the Bachelor of Business and few example include Microsoft certifications, Xero software.
Studyportals: How would you explain "Business" in simple terms?
Joanna Vogeley: At its core, business is about creating value—whether that’s financial, social, cultural or environmental. I teach entrepreneurship at the Peter Faber Business School, with a focus on managing innovation and entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship. That means I work with students to explore how businesses can generate profit while also addressing pressing societal or environmental issues.
The hottest areas students are choosing right now
Studyportals: What do you enjoy most about teaching?
Joanna Vogeley: Witnessing the creativity students have is what I like most about my work. They always manage to bring a fresh perspective when they work on practical solutions to real-world challenges. It is so rewarding to see students start owning a problem-solving attitude and to guide them in turning their ideas into something meaningful.
Studyportals: What Business areas are most popular with students right now?
Joanna Vogeley: Students are increasingly interested in fields that offer both strong career outcomes and the chance to make a difference—like sustainability, AI, and healthcare management . We're also seeing growing interest in areas like data analytics, marketing, finance, or entrepreneurship.
Our new Bachelor of Business, launching in 2026, has been designed with these interests in mind. It will offer a flexible structure with a range of majors and minors, so students can shape their degree around what matters most to them. The full course catalogue will be available in August 2025.
Online vs. in-person classes: what works best
Studyportals: How do online and face-to-face classes compare? Do you have a preference?
Joanna Vogeley: Both formats offer distinct advantages, and I see value in each. Online learning provides flexibility and access. Students can engage with content at their own pace and revisit key concepts through recorded lectures. It supports a diverse range of learners, including those balancing work or family commitments.
Face-to-face learning, on the other hand, plays a critical role in building community and fostering personal connection, particularly for first-year students. Those early social interactions are essential for creating a sense of belonging and engagement, which we know are key to student success.
Can’t you just learn Business by doing it? Not quite
Studyportals: Why study Business at university instead of just learning from experience?
Joanna Vogeley: Practical experience is important, but a university education gives you the structure, depth, and breadth to take that experience further. A business degree equips you with in-demand skills like strategic thinking, communication, leadership, and data analysis, . These skills are essential across industries like finance, marketing, consulting, tech, healthcare, or HR.
Studyportals: Do students sometimes confuse various Business areas?
Joanna Vogeley: Yes, especially at the beginning. Many students start with a general interest in “business” but aren’t always clear on the differences between fields like marketing, finance, management, or data analytics. Part of our role as educators is to help them explore these areas, understand what each one involves, and discover where their strengths and interests align.
That’s why our new Bachelor of Business, launching in 2026, is designed with flexibility in mind. Students will be able to try different subjects early in their degree before choosing a major, ensuring they make informed decisions about their career path aligned with their interests.
Want to succeed in Business? These are the skills that matter
Studyportals: What qualities help students succeed in Business studies?
Joanna Vogeley: Success in business studies requires a blend of creativity, curiosity, and resilience. Creative and innovative thinking is essential and not just for generating fresh ideas, whether in business models or marketing strategies, but for approaching complex challenges with unique solutions that differentiate future leaders.
Equally important is a mindset of continuous learning. The business landscape is rapidly evolving, especially with emerging technologies like AI or the metaverse. High-achieving students demonstrate intellectual curiosity, embrace new tools, and stay ahead of industry trends to remain competitive and relevant.
Finally, adaptability, collaboration, and leadership are non-negotiable. I’m particularly passionate about embedding purpose and impact into business. Today’s successful leaders don’t just drive profit, they inspire positive social and environmental change.
I believe every business should have impact at its core, and I expect our future graduates to lead with that vision at the forefront.
Studyportals: Does it make you proud to see graduates applying their knowledge?
Joanna Vogeley: Without a doubt. Just to give you an example, last semester, we had international students from Spain who enrolled in social entrepreneurship and worked on solving a real-world problem involving 3D prosthetics. They were able to find investors from the Global North [more economically developed countries] to invest in the Global South.
They went beyond what was required for the course because they wanted to achieve something meaningful and generate impact. That particular story made me really proud, and those students were featured on ACU's Impact site at the end of the semester because of their achievements.
What’s next for Business? Future trends you should know
Studyportals: What career paths do your students usually pursue?
Joanna Vogeley: Our students embark on diverse and dynamic career journeys across industries involving knowledge from disciplines from marketing, human resources, management, accounting and finance, in roles incorporating consulting, technology, and healthcare. With business evolving rapidly, especially through digital transformation and sustainability priorities, graduates are prepared to lead in areas resulting from AI-driven innovation, such as data analytics and sustainability.
The new Bachelor of Business launching in 2026 is designed with these future trends in mind. It equips students not only with foundational business knowledge but also with the agility and forward-thinking mindset needed to navigate and shape tomorrow’s business landscape. Our graduates will be ready to seize opportunities in traditional sectors and breakthrough fields alike, positioning them as adaptable, purpose-driven leaders of the future.
Studyportals: How do you see the Business landscape evolving in the coming years?
Joanna Vogeley: The future of business will be shaped by rapid advancements in AI, Cybersecurity, and Big Data alongside a growing commitment to sustainability, social impact, and global connectivity. Digital technologies are breaking down traditional barriers, enabling businesses to engage with diverse markets worldwide and driving unprecedented opportunities.
We’re also seeing a convergence of disciplines, like marketing, entrepreneurship, technology, cybersecurity, and social sciences are increasingly interconnected. This requires not only technical expertise but also creativity and innovative thinking to develop holistic solutions.
To sum it up, the ability to adapt quickly and embrace continuous learning will define the leaders of tomorrow. It’s about staying curious, anticipating change, and being ready to pivot skills our new Bachelor of Business program is designed to cultivate.
