From moving people around the country to better understanding the complex systems that transport goods around the world, Joanna Flevaris, is discovering just how exciting and important logistics can be.
Each day within her role at Qantas, Joanna Flevaris is responsible for moving thousands of people from point A to B. But while her role as an analyst in pattern planning and allocations is highly people focused, she realised she was only experiencing one part of a much larger discipline. “Logistics is quite a lot of fun and I’m really enjoying it, but I only get to work within a portion of it,” she says. “I wanted to better understand what the same application was to things like freight, or anything other than aviation, while still using the skills I already have.” This curiosity led her on a path back to the classroom, having already completed a Bachelor of Aviation Management years earlier.
This foundation provided the core insights she needed to build her career, but Joanna felt the need for deeper technical capability, broader strategic insight, and a clearer understanding of how the global logistics ecosystem really works. “My undergraduate degree provided valuable exposure to the aviation sector but pursuing the Master of Logistics and Supply Chain Management felt like a natural progression rather than a change in direction,” she explains. “It gave me an opportunity to build on my existing knowledge and open new career opportunities within the industry.”
The Master of Logistics and Supply Chain Management has given me exposure to global best practices and deepened my understanding of industries beyond aviation and transport, which has broadened my perspective and allowed me to bring more strategic insight into my current role.
Joanna Flevaris
Master of Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Almost immediately, the course began reshaping and informing the way Joanna worked. Concepts that had once felt distant or abstract were suddenly more relevant, and even applicable. “The program had a noticeable impact on the way I approach my work – it’s enhanced my analytical thinking and my understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes – from strategic planning through to operational execution,” she says. “It’s given me exposure to global best practices and deepened my understanding of industries beyond aviation and transport, which has broadened my perspective and allowed me to bring more strategic insight into my current role."
While much of what Joanna studied was familiar to some degree, there were plenty of elements that were entirely new. “Because of my work, I don’t actually deal with the supply chain aspect, so above all, that’s been a real eye-opener,” she says. “There’s always a new concept to learn, and a lot of Excel-based learning for two of my courses, which I’ve been able to directly apply to my job already.”
While Joanna has loved every minute of the course, her routine has demanded a high level of time management – requiring her to structure her part-time study around a full-time work schedule. “The course is mostly in-person, which is great, but it means I take evening classes,” she says. “I go to work from 8am-5pm and then attend class from 6pm-9pm for two seminars a week as I do two subjects a semester.”
This rhythm of work by day and study by night requires constant discipline. Thankfully Joanna has a system and process that works for her. “I really enjoy my job, which is probably what makes studying easier for me,” she says. “I have a lot of flexibility in my role so keeping my study part-time is where the key benefit really is.”
Being physically present in the classroom has also been a highlight for Joanna. “You meet so many people, which is lovely,” she adds. “You have such a variety of people around you – those who are full-time international students, full-time domestic students, and then others like me who are studying and working.”
Looking ahead, Joanna sees herself remaining within the field of aviation but potentially expanding her contribution to the industry. “I see myself continuing to grow within Qantas, with a particular focus on roles that involve logistic analysis and strategic planning,” she says.
As for those unsure about postgraduate study, Joanna believes the rewards speak for themselves. “A lot of people wonder if it’s worth doing, but it absolutely is,” she says. “It’s actually an acknowledgement of what you want – you’re not hoping you’ll like the course – it’s something you’ve chosen for a reason – so just take the chance and go for it.”