How cultural immersion is helping an international alum succeed

Alexander Amado developed an interest in the process side of engineering during his undergraduate degree in Peru. Then, he looked abroad for an exceptional education in engineering management and a new cultural experience.

He was able to choose from many elite universities around the world but, ultimately, the University of Melbourne offered Alex the chance to become familiar with a region known for tech manufacturing while offering a renowned, comprehensive course of study.

“The Master of Engineering Management (MEM) has a synthesis of different management subjects such as operation management, project management, business analysis, supply chain management, and even leadership,” explained Alex.

Alexander Amado at the Lenovo offices in Lima, Peru.
Alexander Amado at the Lenovo offices in Lima, Peru.

“Plus, I knew that I’d be based in an important region in terms of supply chain management – with many manufacturing companies based in nearby China, Malaysia and Taiwan.”

One soft skill Alex didn’t anticipate learning was how to navigate different cultures’ etiquette and conventions in a professional setting – an ability the University environment fostered by attracting students from all around the world.

“Cultural differences might be difficult to deal with initially, but having the chance to work with all these people from different parts of the world helped me understand that when you have common goals, you can leverage your skills and learn from each other,” shared Alex.

“It has been very useful in my current role – I have colleagues from all around the world and I feel very equipped to work with these different cultures.”

Alex also noted how useful one subject on supply chain management has been in his current role, allowing him to create more efficient and flexible inventory management systems.

“The teacher shared several techniques to identify the push and pull boundaries in the supply chain which has been key for planning strategic goals,” he said.

The MEM also served as a refresher for some of the information Alex learned in his undergraduate degree – but with a greater focus on applying the concepts to real case studies.

“That was very insightful. Having only the theory is very different to applying that theory to real companies. It’s more useful, and that's something I really appreciate from my classes.”

Finding community

For Alex, moving to Melbourne to study was a particularly unique experience, as he arrived in 2020 right before pandemic restrictions began in Victoria.

“As international students, we were kind of isolated with no family in the city,” he shared. However, Alex felt supported and even spirited by the University’s efforts to help its international students.

“The University offered psychological help by phone. That was very helpful – I used the service a couple of times,” shared Alex.

“Through the challenges of the time, the University community was somehow still vibrant virtually and became an even closer community because they really tried to keep us engaged in spite of the restrictions.”

Since graduating from the MEM, Alex continues to notice the many ways that his University of Melbourne experience has helped him through his career.

Alexander Amado with his classmates in graduation regalia at Old Quad.

Alexander Amado with his classmates in graduation regalia at Old Quad.

“Being part of the University of Melbourne alumni community means belonging to a prestigious group of professionals who have had exposure to some of the best academic education in the world. That is valued by job hunters and by the industry in general,” said Alex.

“When I returned to my home country, many international job hunters asked me about my experience at Melbourne.”

Beyond benefitting from the University’s reputability, Alex has gained access to a rich, international community – and fondly remembers attending a University networking event in Lima, Peru in 2022.

“We had the chance to meet, share experiences and get to know alumni from different graduating years at the University of Melbourne,” he said.

“Even here in Peru, far away from Australia, you still have access to a small but dynamic community from the University.”

Strengthening supply chains

Alex says completing his MEM has led to him securing his dream role – Regional Warehouse Analyst at Lenovo.

“Sometimes your machine might have an issue and the display or the keyboard needs replacing – my team oversees the supply chain for the spare parts across the Latin American region,” he said.

“I control five distribution centers that Lenovo Services has in Latin America, which are located in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, and Chile.”

Helping orchestrate such a vast operation means that Alex is always busy in his role, and he is excited for each new project that comes his way.

“I try to be flexible because this is a very dynamic industry. You could have your day planned, but your boss or colleague might need something urgent from you,” he said.

Alex is proud of his achievements at Lenovo and recalled a significant issue he and his colleagues collaborated on in his first year on the job.

“The inventory system across the Latin American region was not very accurate – one system would say, for example, there were 10 pieces of a certain part in stock, and the 3PL’s system would say there were five pieces of that same part, creating inconsistencies for planning and fulfilment” he said.

Alex led a team working across the five countries in his region, and together, they got to problem solving.

“I created that common space for discussion and brainstorming and we found interesting root causes for these discrepancies, and that they had been accumulating month after month,” he said.

“Now, the inventories in both systems are speaking the same language, they have the same information, and that is very helpful for the planning team and for the business in general.”

Empowerment through education

While Alex cherishes his memories in Melbourne, ultimately, he was inspired to take his learnings back to his home country and have an impact there.

Alexander Amado celebrating Christmas with his family.

Alexander Amado celebrating Christmas with his family.

“Having the chance to study abroad helped me value my own country even more and find opportunities for its development,” he said.

“And thanks to the education and experience I received at the University, I got the opportunity to work in a global company and create a positive impact not only in Peru but across Latin America, and that's something that has changed my professional life.”

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