A University of the Sunshine Coast graduate is using his Executive Master of Business Administration to help save lives.

David Bermingham completed his EMBA in 2011, which provided the catalyst for a career change in to the not-for-profit management sector.

In January this year he was appointed to the position of Queensland and West Australia State Manager for Destiny Rescue, a not-for-profit organisation that operates from Birtinya on the Sunshine Coast.

Destiny Rescue is dedicated to rescuing children from human trafficking and sexual exploitation throughout south-east Asia.

"We provide kids rescued from sexual exploitation a safe and loving home, medical care, counselling, schooling, vocational training and all daily needs required to be integrated back in to society successfully," Mr Bermingham said.

"We also help protect vulnerable children from being trafficked."

Prior to enrolling at USC, Mr Bermingham was looking for ways to further support him as a business owner.

"My Mum is a hairdresser and was actually cutting the hair of a USC lecturer who suggested I should look in to the EMBA," he said.

"As soon as I read through the course outline I knew it was the one for me."

During Mr Bermingham’s studies he sold his businesses and started planning how he could tie his new qualification in with his passion for community development work.

"That’s where I came across Destiny Rescue, so when I saw the State Manager position advertised at the end of last year, I was really excited," he said.

"Thanks to the EMBA I have really good skills for strategic planning and implementation and marketing, which are all crucial when working for a not-for-profit group," he said.

"I think this course would be beneficial for anyone who wants to work at any level of management – whether you own your own business or want to work in the corporate sector."

— Megan Woodward