1. What inspired you to pursue the BEng ISE program?

My inspiration to pursue Industrial & Systems Engineering stemmed from an interest in optimization and efficiency. I have always been drawn to complex systems—whether in supply chains or business processes—and the challenge of making them smarter, faster, and more resilient. The ISE program’s unique blend of engineering fundamentals, data analytics, and human-centric systems thinking was the perfect fit. It promised the toolkit to not only identify bottlenecks but to design and implement data-driven, automated solutions that create tangible value.

2. In what ways has the ISE program benefited you?

The ISE curriculum has been incredibly beneficial in providing a strong, multi-disciplinary foundation with easily transferable skills across different industries. Courses revolving around topics of Operations Research, Decision Analysis, and Process Automation gave me the theoretical backbone to tackle real-world problems. This knowledge was applicable during my internships and work experiences, where I used these principles and knowledge to streamline business operations to enhance efficiency.

Beyond technical skills, the program honed my problem-solving and analytical abilities. Serving as a Teaching Assistant allowed me to solidify my own understanding by guiding juniors, which was a rewarding experience. Furthermore, the program’s emphasis on practical application through projects, like my Systems Design Project with Thales on Decision Intelligence for Inventory Management, provided a sandbox to experiment and innovate before entering the workforce.

3. Could you tell us about any of your past/current roles and organizations? What do you find exciting about your work, and are there any impactful contributions you’d like to highlight?

I’ve had the privilege of interning across various industries, from tech manufacturing at Infineon Technologies to fast-moving consumer goods at Procter & Gamble. The most exciting aspect of my work is the "detective" process of diving into a complex operational challenge, using data to diagnose the root cause, and then building a digital tool or automated process that solves it permanently.

For example, at Procter & Gamble, I evaluated material forecast processes and identified key areas for improvement. I developed a multi-step automation plan and spearheaded a successful pilot test that reduced manual touchpoints significantly, resulting in theoretical time savings of 40 hours and improving the quality of forecast inputs for the team.

At Infineon Technologies, I developed a user-friendly GUI search engine with integrated visualization tools, which cut troubleshooting time for engineers by over 50%.

These experiences confirmed my passion for transforming manual, tedious processes into efficient, data-driven systems.

I am excited to be starting my career as a Graduate Analyst in APAC Enterprise Architecture at BNP Paribas, where I look forward to applying my systems engineering and optimization skills on a larger scale in the Information Technology and Operations (ITO) function.

4. Are there any interesting aspects about yourself you’d like to share? How do you envision your holistic growth over the next three years, and what are your career aspirations?

Outside of academics and work, I believe in a holistic approach to growth. I’ve enjoyed leading and guiding juniors by sharing my personal experiences.

Over the next three years, I envision my growth along two parallel tracks. Professionally, I aim to deepen my expertise in systems architecture and digital transformation within the banking sector, eventually moving into a role where I can lead strategic projects that bridge technology and business operations. On a personal level, I aspire to become a mentor to youths in STEM, encouraging them to pursue careers in technology and engineering.

My long-term career aspiration is to be a leader who drives innovation and operational excellence, creating systems that are not only efficient but also adaptive and resilient for the future.