“Without a doubt, I would recommend this master’s program to anyone looking to delve into the field of logistics and supply chain. It is a relatively short-duration master’s degree that opens doors not only in terms of learning but also at many other intangible levels of great value, such as contact with companies through the thesis, expanding your professional network, potential job opportunities, and more”.
Andrea, considering your journey from being the recipient of a 100% scholarship to study the MIT Zaragoza Master of Engineering in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (ZLOG) to your current role at Pfizer, could you highlight how the the master’s program has influenced your personal and professional development?
Since I completed the program in 2012, the ZLOG master has always been present in one way or another in my life. Professionally speaking, the knowledge I gained was particularly valuable in my early years working in the field of logistics, as I came from a different sector. It has also provided me with an important professional network to use in moments when mine couldn’t meet certain needs. Another valuable aspect has been the ability to return to ZLC in search of new talent to fill job opportunities on my team, always with positive results. Lastly, on a personal note… what can I say! My partner is also an alumnus of the master’s program, and we both have fond memories of our days in Zaragoza. Regarding my classmates, after more than 10 years since graduation, we still find excuses to get together, and the jokes are still a part of our everyday interactions.
Living the experience of studying at MIT is enriching on many levels. What aspects of campus life, the academic environment, and interaction with other master’s students from the MIT SCALE network do you remember with fondness?
There are two specific memories that come to mind. The first is how students with very diverse backgrounds naturally came together to form a unified community. The widespread support, the sense of “all for one and one for all,” was something I remember very fondly. The second memory related to the academic aspect is about one of the professors. I remember that attending the classes was as exciting as going to the movies: you would sit down and spend an hour engrossed in a perfectly documented, organized, connected story with a surprising ending.
As the EMEA Logistics Network Operations lead at Pfizer, can you share the key challenges you face in managing the logistics network for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa?
Today, our main challenge arises from the conflicts in various areas of the EMEA region. These are situations of uncertainty that require us to monitor daily and have several courses of action prepared depending on the scenario that presents itself at any given moment. These are exceptional situations that require dedicated and specialized attention to provide the expected coverage.
What are your perspectives on the future of the logistics and supply chain sector, and what do you believe will be the main drivers of change?
My hope is that we can be drivers in terms of sustainability, that the near future offers us highly effective alternatives to reduce the CO2 emissions generated by our operations and thereby become a true participant in the change.
Based on your own experience as an alumna, would you recommend the MIT Zaragoza master’s program to professionals interested in specializing in logistics and supply chain? What do you consider the most prominent aspects that make this master’s program a valuable option for professional growth in this field?
Response: Without a doubt, I would recommend this master’s program to anyone looking to delve into the field of logistics and supply chain. It is a relatively short-duration master’s degree that opens doors not only in terms of learning but also at many other intangible levels of great value, such as contact with companies through the thesis, expanding your professional network, potential job opportunities, and more.
