Supply chains have always been a critical part of how businesses operate, but global disruptions in recent years reinforced Amilia's perspective on how interconnected and strategically important they are. Amilia wanted to develop a broader perspective of supply chain management and strengthen her knowledge beyond her area of specialisation. Ultimately, she decided to pursue the MSc Supply Chain Management programme at the National University of Singapore as a full-time student. It was a significant decision to step away from a stable career and enter a challenging job market upon graduation, but Amilia viewed it as a calculated investment in herself and her long-term growth.

It turned out to be the right decision – the programme broadened her perspective both professionally and personally. Academically, it allowed Amilia to deepen her understanding of supply chain management beyond planning and inventory. Her graduate research on building an efficient and sustainable supply chain for large-scale Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations exposed her to the role supply chains play beyond commercial organisations. It reinforced how efficiency, resilience, and sustainability can directly support communities during times of crisis.

The programme also gave Amilia opportunities to learn outside the classroom. During the Summer Programme in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, she had the opportunity to learn alongside students from Indonesia, Austria, and NUS, while visiting local chocolate, tempeh, and batik manufacturers. These experiences provided a local perspective on supply chains that would have been difficult to replicate through classroom learning alone.

Overall, the programme strengthened not only Amilia's technical knowledge, but also her ability to think more broadly, embrace uncertainty, work with people from different backgrounds, and take on opportunities that could stretch her potential. One aspect of Amilia's journey that she thinks has shaped her significantly is her willingness to take calculated risks for growth. Pursuing a Master's degree full-time after more than eight years in supply chain was one such decision. Joining the ISEM Graduate Club was another – she had a "why not?" moment and decided to take on a leadership role that allowed her to give back to the student community.

Over the next three years, Amilia hopes to grow holistically by continuing to strengthen her expertise, and becoming more confident in influencing and collaborating across different functions and markets. Her long-term aspiration is to grow into a regional supply chain leader who can combine strong operational and analytical capabilities with strategic thinking and people leadership. Amilia hopes to build a career where she can contribute not only to more efficient supply chains, but also to organisations and communities in meaningful ways.