Sherralin Quek began her early career stint at JTC’s Land Planning Division, where she worked with geospatial mapping software such as ArcGIS and QGIS as a Land Resource Manager. She later moved on to her next role as a Mapping Operations Analyst.
As the years passed, she began to realise that the insights she could produce were limited by the tools she was using. She could see the patterns, but she wanted to go further and understand the story behind the data.
“I realised that focusing only on geospatial analysis meant I could only answer certain kinds of questions,” she said. “I wanted to broaden my analytical toolkit and build a stronger foundation in data analytics.”
That inclination eventually led her to pursue the Master of Technology in Enterprise Business Analytics (MTech EBAC) at NUS-ISS.
The decision to pursue the master’s programme came at an opportune moment. Around the same time, she had just transitioned into a more data-intensive role at Yum! Brands. The timing allowed her to apply what she was learning in class directly to her work.
Each week, the classroom became more than a place for lectures.
“I genuinely looked forward to the lessons,” she recalled. “The EBAC programme gave me strong theoretical grounding, but it was also very practical. I could immediately apply what I learned to my work.”
It’s not all work and study. Sherralin and her classmates take time to hang out and unwind.
Flexibility to her, played an important consideration factor. Like many working professionals, she needed a programme structure that would allow her to balance her career, studies, and personal commitments. She eventually chose to pursue the programme on a part-time basis.
The structure of the programme made the decision easier. With modules consolidated into a major project and examinations held at the end of each semester, it offered her the versatility to manage her workload while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Support at home also made a difference.
“My husband took on more of the household responsibilities so that I could focus on my studies,” she said. “That support really helped during the more demanding periods.”
One particular moment during the programme remains vivid in her memory. It happened not in the classroom, but at work. During discussions with colleagues, she found herself explaining statistical concepts and forecasting approaches with confidence.
“That was when it clicked for me,” she said. “I realised that what I was learning was not just academic. It was directly useful in my work.”
Today, Sherralin works as a Location Planning Manager at The LEGO Group. In this role, she develops store location roadmaps across the Asia Pacific region, combining her background in GIS with the analytics skills she gained through the programme.
Looking back, she believes the experience changed more than her technical capabilities.
“MTech EBAC programme propels me to become a better analyst,” she said. “It gave me both the technical skills and the theoretical framework to understand problems and approach them more thoughtfully.”
Perhaps more importantly, it strengthened her confidence.
For those thinking about upgrading their skills through a graduate programme, her advice is grounded in realism.
“Further studies do not automatically or immediately guarantee a higher salary or career advancement. But if you are willing to take that courageous step and fully commit to the journey, you may discover many new possibilities along the way.” she shared.
Visit here for more information on the Master of Technology in Enterprise Business Analytics Programme. Interested in a flexible study option? Learn more about the Stackable Graduate Certificate Programme in Data Science, which stacks up towards the Master of Technology in Enterprise Business Analytics degree.