Before New Opportunity at Bristol Myers Squibb, “The Knowledge Itself Became the Reward” for Project Management Alum Fita Refinalia (MET’25)

Fita Refinalia (MET’25)
MS, Project Management

What motivated you to earn your master’s degree at this point? Why did you choose to fulfill your goal at Metropolitan College?
I felt it was the right time to pursue new knowledge and update my skills, especially after noticing a growing gap in project management expertise among knowledge workers. I wanted to stay relevant and contribute more strategically to my field. I chose Metropolitan College at Boston University because of its strong reputation in project management education and its practical, industry-relevant curriculum. Fun fact: Professor Vijay Kanabar was the very first person I reached out to before applying, and his encouragement played a key role in my decision to join BU MET.

What do you find most fascinating about the discipline of project management? Do you have a particular focus within the broader field?

Coming from a mining background, I was very accustomed to structured, waterfall-style project execution. What fascinates me most about the discipline of project management is how dynamic and adaptable it can be, especially the concept of agile, which was entirely new to me. I’m fascinated by how the discipline empowers practitioners to tailor methodologies to each project’s unique context, team dynamics, and objectives rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.

Within the broader field, I’ve developed a particular focus on project controls, the careful management of scope, cost, and schedule that forms the backbone of successful project delivery. However, what I find most intellectually stimulating is viewing projects through multiple lenses and perspectives. This interest has motivated me to pursue electives outside the core project management curriculum, helping me develop a more holistic understanding that prepares me for cross-functional leadership challenges.

Congratulations on your high achievement in the Project Management program and your Award for Excellence in your studies! Looking back, what do you consider to be the main ingredients of your success?
Looking back on my journey in the MS in Project Management program, I attribute my success to several key factors. First and foremost, resilience and persistence were essential. The program presented many challenges, but maintaining determination through difficult moments ultimately led to growth and achievement.

Self-awareness played a crucial role as well. By honestly recognizing areas where I needed improvement, I could focus my efforts strategically and work deliberately to strengthen those skills. This approach of targeted development was far more effective than spreading my attention too thinly. Lastly, I found that participating actively in class discussions, asking questions directly to professors either in person or via email when concepts weren’t clear, and seeking clarification rather than remaining confused significantly enhanced my understanding and retention.

How were you able to successfully balance your studies with your commitments outside the classroom?
Balancing my studies with life outside the classroom came down to good planning and being organized. I kept two simple calendars in my room that made all the difference.

My monthly calendar gave me the big picture—I wrote down every assignment, quiz, exam and other activities such as the BU Project Management Club events for the entire semester. This helped me see busy periods coming and avoid surprises.

Then I had a weekly planner where I’d map out exactly what I needed to work on each day. Breaking things down this way makes it feel manageable.

One rule that really worked for me was keeping a consistent schedule—I focused on schoolwork from Monday through Saturday but made Sunday my ‘no studying’ day. Having that guaranteed break to look forward to helping me stay motivated and prevented burnout.

This simple system kept me on track with my studies while still making time for everything else important in my life.

Was your success in the program driven by a particular outcome—such as professional advancement, educational achievement, personal satisfaction, or something else?
My success wasn’t really focused on any specific outcome like getting a promotion or adding another credential to my résumé. What drove me was my genuine interest in what I was learning throughout the program. I think about how the course concepts could change my thinking and improve how I approach problems. The knowledge itself became the reward—understanding new project frameworks, learning from case studies of successful and failed projects, and gaining insights from professors with real-world experience.

Of course, professional advancement and personal satisfaction naturally followed, but they weren’t what got me through the challenging parts of the program. It was the excitement of connecting dots between different concepts, applying what I learned to real situations, and seeing my perspective expand with each new topic we covered.

Is there a particular course or project that enhanced your experience in the Project Management program?
While the entire Project Management program was valuable, I found myself genuinely enjoying several core courses that built my fundamental skills. The Project Risk and Cost Management (MET AD 644) course gave me practical tools I use regularly, while Project Communications and Leadership (MET AD 643) helped me develop people skills that are just as crucial as technical knowledge. The Qualitative and Quantitative Decision-Making (MET AD 715) course taught me how to approach problems from different angles and make more informed choices.

What really enhanced my experience, though, was exploring courses outside the standard PM track. Taking operations management, global supply chain, and business continuity classes gave me a much broader perspective on how projects fit into the larger business ecosystem. These courses helped me understand that successful project managers need to see beyond their immediate responsibilities and appreciate how their work impacts the entire organization.

Can you share any examples of skills, principles, or practices learned in the program that you were concurrently able to apply to your job?
The networking and communication skills I developed in the program have been invaluable, especially since transitioning to a new field can feel overwhelming. These skills have helped me build relationships with colleagues, seek out mentors, and access resources that might otherwise have been difficult to find. Being able to communicate effectively across different teams and departments has made the transition much smoother.

One specific technique I’ve been able to apply directly is earned value management, which I learned in my project controls coursework. This methodology has been incredibly relevant in my current role, helping me track project performance and make data-driven decisions. What I find most powerful is how I can be structured like the waterfall approach when needed—providing clear milestones and deliverables—while remaining agile enough to adapt when circumstances change. This hybrid approach has allowed me to maintain project control while staying responsive to evolving requirements.

What’s next for you? If you are changing roles, moving on to a new career, or receiving any kind of promotion, we would love to hear about it. Would you say that your program helped prepare you for the next phase of your career?
I’m excited to share that I recently started a new position as a project control specialist in the engineering department at the Bristol Myers Squibb company. This role represents a significant step forward in my career, allowing me to apply my project management expertise in the pharmaceutical industry, especially when my previous background was mining industry.

The program absolutely prepared me for this transition. The support from my professors was instrumental—they provided guidance not just on technical skills, but also on career direction and professional development.

One of the most valuable aspects was working alongside classmates from completely different backgrounds, countries, and industries. These diverse perspectives challenged my thinking constantly – there were so many moments where I found myself saying, ‘Wow, I never would have looked at it that way.’ This exposure to different viewpoints has made me much more adaptable, flexible, and creative in how I approach challenges. I’m now much better at considering multiple angles before making decisions, which is incredibly critical in today’s interconnected business world.

Most importantly, the comprehensive curriculum I experienced throughout the program directly applies to my daily work at Bristol Myers Squibb. The project controls, risk management, and communication skills I developed are essential in managing complex projects. The program gave me both the technical foundation and the confidence to succeed in this new role.

You were recognized by faculty and peers for your hard work and dedication to the Project Management program. What “words of advice” or encouragement have served as a guiding principle, or simply inspiration, for you? Any words of wisdom you would like to pass along to students starting in the program?
One moment that really stayed with me was when Lecturer Krystie Dickson, one of my favorite professors, gifted me a book, Think Again, by Adam Grant, to celebrate my first semester as a teaching assistant. What made it even more special was that I wasn’t even her TA at the time. It’s just one example of how my professors went above and beyond to support me.

A quote from that book that continues to inspire me is: “The curse of knowledge is that it closes our minds to what we don’t know.” It’s a powerful reminder to stay curious, humble, and open to learning, especially in project management, where every situation is different, and change is constant.

To new students: Be open. Ask questions. Build relationships. And never hesitate to rethink and grow. We are not expected to know everything, but we are expected to keep learning and discovering, becoming a little less wrong than before.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’d just like to say a big thank you to the professors who trusted me as their teaching assistant over the past few semesters: Lecturers Krystie Dickson and Gerard Keegan, and Assistant Professor Christopher Athaide. I really appreciated the chance to support their classes and learn from their teaching styles.

I’m especially grateful to Master Lecturer Richard Maltzman, who kept me on as his TA for three semesters. He involved me in so many aspects of the course and set a great example of what servant leadership looks like in action. He, along with Professor Kanabar, has also been incredibly supportive through the BU Project Management Club when I am leading the club.

As an international student, this journey came with its own set of challenges, adjusting to a new culture, different academic expectations, and navigating everything far from home. I found that participating in BU activities like dog therapy or play with Bean, stress relief events, and visiting the first gen Newbury Center made a real difference in keeping me grounded.

I also want to highlight how valuable BU Connects have been for networking and career development. Through this platform, I’ve been able to connect with alumni who generously shared their experiences and insights. Learning from their career journeys has been incredibly helpful in navigating my own professional path and understanding different opportunities in project management.

What helped me most was learning to celebrate small victories, trying to treat each week I got through as a milestone. Those moments reminded me that growth isn’t always big or loud; but it also takes care of yourself along the way.