A casual conversation with my manager recently made me pause and reflect. I realized I hadn’t been investing in myself when it came to formal learning. Sure, I’d been picking up skills here and there as part of my regular work, but I hadn’t taken the time to truly dive into something new or structured. That realization hit me hard, and I knew I needed to change that.
I had two options: I could either deepen my knowledge in an area I was already familiar with or venture into something entirely new. The latter option seemed more appealing, as it offered the chance to discover new interests and expand my professional capabilities.
Over the course of my three-decade-long career in banking and banking technology, I have had the opportunity to work in many areas. However, I had the least exposure to Trade Finance. Rather than focusing on traditional Trade Finance, I decided to learn about Supply Chain Finance, as it is rapidly evolving and transforming how businesses manage cash flows and optimize supply chains.
To ease myself into this new learning journey, I first attempted a few shorter courses. I began with a course on the future of payment technology, which was relevant to my current work. Then, I ventured into unfamiliar territory by completing a couple of introductory courses on AI and Generative AI. Encouraged by these experiences, I enrolled in an in-depth course on Supply Chain Finance offered by the New York Institute of Finance.
I chose this course because it covered key topics such as the introduction to Supply Chain Finance, key success factors, the ecosystem, and the impact of blockchain technology on the industry. Each topic was divided into multiple modules, delivered through a combination of lecture videos, reading materials, assignments, and both graded and ungraded tests.
The course was originally designed for in-person training and wasn't fully optimized for remote learning. Additionally, it hadn't been updated since its first online version. However, since I was new to the topic, these constraints didn't deter me. The content kept me engaged throughout, and I found myself motivated to learn about Supply Chain Finance.
I also challenged myself to complete the course in a third of the recommended time, despite some long days at work. This required discipline and time management, but it was rewarding to see my progress. Today, I am proud to say that I have successfully completed all four topics, and Coursera has certified that I have attained an intermediate level of proficiency in Supply Chain Finance.
Looking forward, I am excited to apply my newly acquired skills in real-world scenarios. I believe that understanding Supply Chain Finance will not only enhance my professional capabilities but also allow me to contribute more effectively to my organization.
If there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s that stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to incredible growth—professionally and personally.
