I have always been interested in Supply Chain Management in the healthcare field. I was privileged to be attached to Becton, Dickinson and Company as a Continuous Improvement Assistant for my Work Attachment. A shy and reserved person, I nonetheless decided to step out of my comfort zone and pursue a challenging role for the purpose of self-development. It took courage to apply for this role since there would be frequent interdepartmental interaction, as stated in the job description.

During the stint, I had many opportunities to collaborate with colleagues from multiple functional departments such as procurement, customer service and logistics in different projects executed by the various business units. At meetings, I had the chance to offer my input and contribute to ongoing projects. I was thankful that the team was open to suggestions even from an intern who lacked working experience. Through participating in those projects, I gained a better understanding of the entire supply chain and how each department interlinks with the other to process the flow of information, goods and finances. This understanding further solidifies my decision to pursue a career in Supply Chain Management and Logistics.

I am grateful to my supervisor who had unyielding faith and trust in me, and who provided me with all the support I needed. She gave me opportunities to participate in projects such as the New Vendor Transition and Extension Project which widened my exposure to other organisational functions outside the Life Science Supply and Demand Planning team. I also appreciate that she took time out of her busy schedule to check in on me, making sure that I was adapting well and not overloaded with tasks.

The internship met all my expectations. I feel that I have grown professionally and personally, and I am now more confident of myself than before. For this, I have the supportive environment and team to thank; had it not been for them, I would not have been able to enjoy and optimize my learning experience.