Master’s In Supply Chain Management: Kyle Meagher, University of Michigan (Ross)

“The opportunity to confidently present and discuss our findings with professionals who have had decades of experience was so rewarding after working so hard on the project. It really solidified my excitement to start my career in Supply Chain Management.”

Student Name: Kyle Meagher

Graduate Business School: University of Michigan Ross School of Business

Describe Yourself In 15 Words: Bay Area transplant excited to combine supply chain strategies with sustainability principles to maximize efficiency.

Master’s Graduation Class: 2019.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Minnesota, Environmental Science.

Current Employer and Job Title: Williams-Sonoma, Inc., Inventory Planner.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I’m proud of how my team adapted to the supply chain pressures caused by COVID-19 and creatively problem-solved with our vendors to deliver a great customer experience. Some of our vendors are small, family-owned operations that were severely impacted. Being able to collaborate with them throughout all of the uncertainty was extremely rewarding. 

Describe your biggest accomplishment as a graduate student: I was accepted to be a part of the Ross Leaders Academy through the Sanger Leadership Center. The Leaders Academy was an intensive program that brought students across the university together to challenge and build our leadership skills. The activities, discussions, and reflections I experienced throughout the program were deeply impactful.

What was the key factor that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The key factor that led me to choose Michigan Ross was the Supply Chain Consulting Studio portion of the program. I wanted to get the most out of my year-long graduate experience and the Supply Chain Consulting Studio was an opportunity to dive head-first into solving a real world supply chain problem.

What led you to choose a Master’s in Supply Chain Management over an MBA? The main reasons I chose a Master’s in Supply Chain Management rather than an MBA were the specificity and the length of the program. The MSCM program provided me with the opportunity to strengthen my analytical skills and drill down into an area of expertise that fit well with my interest in sustainability. I was also eager to be in a full-time, in-person program, but I didn’t feel that a two-year curriculum was the right investment for me. 

What has been your favorite course and how has it helped you in your career? One of my favorite courses was Strategic Sourcing, which provided me with a deeper understanding of managing vendor relationships. The learnings from this course were extremely helpful as I made the transition from working with clients to working with vendors in my new role.

What role did your school play in helping you to land your first job out of the program? The strength of the Ross alumni network has proved to be an invaluable part of the program. Whether connections were introduced by the Ross Career Development Office or cold messages on LinkedIn, I found that Ross alumni were always enthusiastic to make a connection and share their experiences. I had the opportunity to connect with someone at Williams-Sonoma through my Ross mentor, which resulted in me finding a position I really enjoy!

How did your classmates enhance the value of your business school experience? My classmates brought a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds, which enriched classroom discussions and group projects. With much of the coursework focused on group projects, I was exposed to different approaches to problem-solving and a wealth of information about other industries. I had a wonderful group of people to learn and grow with and feel very lucky to have made the connections that I did.

Who was your favorite faculty member and how did this person enrich your learning? One of my favorite faculty members was Professor Ravi Anupindi, who instructed Global Supply Chain Management and Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management. Professor Anupindi enriched my learning by incorporating guest speakers and his experiences to provide valuable context to the coursework. I felt that this was especially important for the Sustainable Operations course, as sustainability problems often involve complex stakeholders.

What is your best advice to an applicant hoping to get into your school’s graduate Master’s program? I would recommend honing in on what career goals you are passionate about achieving and be sure to convey how the MSCM program will enable you to reach those goals. No matter where your passions lie, you can demonstrate the energy and drive you’d bring to the program!

What was your best memory from your Master’s program? My best memory from my Master’s program was our final presentation for our Supply Chain Consulting Studio to corporate leadership. The opportunity to confidently present and discuss our findings with professionals who have had decades of experience was so rewarding after working so hard on the project. It really solidified my excitement to start my career in Supply Chain Management.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE MASTERS OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT