Mastering Sustainability in Business: The MBA That Makes a Difference

Mapping A Path To Opportunity With TIAS Business School

Originally from Indonesia, Aminah Kastuari graduated from TIAS Business School, Netherlands, in December 2024. In this interview, she discusses how she specifically chose a Sustainability Business MBA to apply her digital mapping skills to global business. Aminah states, “I decided to pursue an MBA because I was looking for an opportunity to apply my technical skills and my knowledge… with a developed country’s perspective.”(00:17)

Coming from a background in geomatics, the study of methods and technologies used to collect, distribute, analyse, and present geographical data, Aminah decided to pursue a Sustainability Business MBA. This MBA allowed her to apply her technical expertise to sustainability challenges on a global scale.

Aminah found that her career opportunities in Indonesia were limited compared to the Netherlands. Her decision to study at TIAS was also driven by its focus on sustainability and business integration. “I was also looking for opportunities to work beyond my technical expertise… because in my background, which is geomatics or digital mapping, the career opportunities back in Indonesia are not as broad as in the Netherlands,” says Aminah. (00:38)

This global perspective helped her develop new insights. “I think they already have more solid [geodata] management for the whole country, so they have more room to explore within the industry.” (00:55)

She realized how infrastructure and governance play a critical role in different economic and business settings. This is a key lesson for professionals looking to work in international markets.

Navigating Complexity in Emerging Markets: A Game-Changing Course

Aminah credits one of her most impactful courses, entitled “Navigating Complexity in Emerging Markets”, for enhancing her strategic thinking. She recalls, “The professor… was really engaging, and the topic that he brought to class was also very interesting.” (01:37) The course deepened her understanding of international markets, emphasizing cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and strategic decision-making.

Aminah adds, “He provided us with a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in emerging countries, where Indonesia is one of them.” (01:50) She learned critical skills such as risk assessment and market dynamics analysis. “The course has also emphasized the importance of cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and strategic thinking.” (02:01)

She applies this knowledge in her current role, where she is dealing with impact on a global scale. “This knowledge is also valuable for where I work… I frequently collaborate with international teams and stakeholders.” (02:20) Aminah notes.

Engaging with global teams and stakeholders is commonplace in today’s interconnected world. Programs with a focus on problem solving and the complex nature of global business strategy ensure business leaders can navigate cultural nuances and drive positive impact across industries.

The Strength of an International MBA Community

One of the standout aspects of TIAS for Aminah was its diverse and global cohort.

This cultural exchange extended beyond academics. She elaborates, “We learn[ed] about each other’s cultures through celebrations, food, and ways of thinking… understanding their reasons to come to the Netherlands and to leave everything behind is quite inspiring.” (03:32)

For Aminah, this diversity led to a richer learning experience.  She recalls the inspiration she took from her classmates, “The courage and sacrifice to want something better with our life for me, is also quite amazing.” (03:55) 

She gained broader perspectives by experiencing an internationally diverse environment. It also strengthened her adaptability, an essential skill in today’s global business landscape.

Personal and Professional Growth Through Self Awareness

Beyond academic learning, the Personal and Career Development Program at TIAS a key component of the Sustainability Business MBA, played a crucial role in Aminah’s self-growth. She says, “It improved my understanding of myself and my values… it also improved my confidence in myself.” (05:32)

She gained key insights into self-awareness and leadership. She reflects, “[The program] helped me to also understand my strengths… [but] also my weaknesses… [it] also helped me to overcome weaknesses… which I feel is important for effective and collaborative leadership.” (06:16)

She also highlighted the role of coaching in her development. “If you really let yourself surrender to this program and just follow the coach, it is a very useful one.” (05:54) 

The ability to embrace guidance and structured mentorship clearly accelerates professional growth. Evidently, it also instills the confidence required for navigating complex business environments.

TIAS MBA Leads to a Role at Rainforest Alliance

Post-MBA, Aminah secured a role as a Product Owner for the GIS platform at Rainforest Alliance. She combines her technical expertise with business strategy in this role, skills she developed during her MBA. She says, “[TIAS] helped me understand how to bridge the gap between sustainability and business.” (07:37)

She attributes her career success to TIAS’ focus on practical learning, consultancy projects, and networking. Aminah explains, “We did some consultancy as our final assignment in a group… for Traxon… to find their market positioning in their industry.” (07:57) This valuable practical experience fortifies the practical and theoretical training in real time, helping students to reuse this experience when they graduate.

Cultivating Cross-Cultural Superpowers on the TIAS MBA Journey

“TIAS taught me to be proud of my background,” Aminah notes. Her ability to navigate different international business environments also helped her integrate into the Dutch job market. “I need to fit into the Dutch working culture…but also understand that my insights, that coming from Indonesia is also valuable.” (08:42) 

This experience reinforced the importance of leveraging one’s unique background while adapting to new cultural and professional settings. This adaptability is an invaluable asset in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.

Aminah’s Key Takeaways From Her TIAS MBA Journey

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