Trying something new can feel intimidating, especially on a global stage.

For Quynh Vu, a senior supply chain, logistics and operations management major at Missouri State University, what began as hesitation about entering her first global case competition became a turning point.

Vu earned an overall team bronze award at the 2025 Global Sustainability Supply Chain Student Competition, an international event that drew 113 student teams from 24 countries. Endorsed by the United Nations, teams had to develop sustainability-focused supply chain solutions aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Growth beyond the result

Encouraged by Dr. Gawon Yun, assistant professor of marketing, Vu joined the competition with the goal of learning rather than winning.

“I didn’t expect to receive an award,” Vu said. “But the experience helped me believe more in my abilities and see supply chain management from a much broader perspective.”

For her, the competition marked a shift from self-doubt to self-belief and from seeing supply chain as a technical discipline to viewing it as a tool for meaningful global impact.

A global team, real-world challenge

Competing as part of the TriLogix team, Vu collaborated with Zhenhuan Liao of Xiamen University (China) and Tong Le Van Khanh of Foreign Trade University (Vietnam) — teammates she had never met prior to the competition.

That unfamiliarity quickly became one of the team’s first challenges. Coordinating across time zones required flexibility, while differences in academic backgrounds and communication styles meant the team had to learn to collaborate in real time.

“At the beginning, it was hard to coordinate and build trust,” Vu said. “We were still learning how to communicate effectively while working close to deadlines.”

But over time, those challenges became opportunities for growth. The team began dividing responsibilities based on individual strengths, setting clearer timelines and adjusting to each other’s working styles. As communication improved, so did their collaboration. This allowed the group to move forward with greater confidence and cohesion.

TriLogix developed a case proposal addressing post-harvest agricultural waste in Ethiopia. Teams were evaluated through multiple rounds of written submissions and presentations. Judges assessed the feasibility, sustainability impact and clarity of each proposed supply chain solution. The process required not only strong analysis, but also the ability to clearly communicate ideas under time constraints.

Don’t be afraid to try

For students watching from the sidelines, unsure whether they belong in a competition or global project, Vu’s experience offers a simple reminder: confidence is rarely the starting point. It is built through trying, adjusting and continuing, even when the path feels unfamiliar.

“Don’t wait until you feel fully ready,” Vu said. “Be open to learning, take the chance to challenge yourself and trust that the experience itself will help you grow, no matter the outcome.”

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