Master’s in Supply Chain Management: Megan Smith, Michigan State (Eli Broad)

“Passion and purpose are critical success factors to any student in the MSSCM program at MSU. In one of the most rapidly emerging and changing industries, Supply Chain students need to have a pulse on the present while always looking into the future.”

Student Name: Megan Smith

Graduate Business School: Michigan State University Eli Broad College of Business

Describe Yourself In 15 Words: Forward thinking, individualistic leader with great capacity for change management and a ferocity for success.

Master’s Graduation Class: 2020.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Denver, Business Management.

Current Employer and Job Title: Symbia Logistics, CEO.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Rebranding the family business to compete in the 21st Century marketplace while realizing growth of over 5000% and increasing revenues to $90M annually.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as a graduate student: Graduating Magna Cum Laude while breaking records during the capstone course. 

What was the key factor that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you?  The MSSCM at Michigan State is the #1 program in the world, which was important to me in advancing my expertise in this niche industry amongst top professionals and thought leaders. Reputation, networking, and quality of education were my top priorities!

What led you to choose a Master’s in Supply Chain Management over an MBA?  I chose a Master’s in Supply Chain Management over a traditional MBA because I have dedicated my career to this field. After starting and selling multiple small businesses, I have worn every hat there is within an organization and an overarching MBA was not what I needed. The MSSCM gave me an opportunity to drill down deeper into my true passion, amongst peers who are equally motivated, to be first movers in this industry.

What has been your favorite course and how has it helped you in your career?  My favorite course was Supply Chain Management Strategy and Applications.  This competitive simulation challenged teams in all areas of Supply Chain Management, from purchasing, to manufacturing, to logistics and transportation.  My team had to create a fully integrated solution to conquer the simulation and win the course challenge.  We not only won, we beat the existing records for total revenue and aced every challenge with thoughtful calculation.  We took some huge risks which paid huge rewards and it proved that my ‘out of the box’ leadership and management styles work!  

What role did your school play in helping you to land your first job out of the program? This school and program gave me the clout to continue in my current role as CEO and furthering my legacy as a pioneer among women in business.  In a traditionally male-dominated space, my success at Michigan State University showcased the fact that I deserve my place in this world of Supply Chain Management and I can go toe to toe with my peers from Global companies like Boeing, Starbucks and Amazon.

How did your classmates enhance the value of your business school experience? My classmates from MSU are more than friends, peers or coworkers; they are family.  I fostered some of the most genuine relationships with true, good-hearted and hard-working individuals.  The team I was assigned, on Day 1 of the program, has some of my biggest cheerleaders.  We stay in touch and support each other through personal and professional changes.  Some of my classmates ended up joining the Symbia team and we continue to pound the pavement and grow the business together. The MSU network is, hands down, the most valuable part of this program! 

Who was your favorite faculty member and how did this person enrich your learning? My favorite faculty member in the MSSCM program was Yemisi Bolumole. Dr. B enriched my learning by bringing real experience to the table and presenting it in a challenging way.  She had very high expectations of her students but also introduced us to new programs, software and thought processes with one ultimate goal: optimization!  Now, more than ever, optimization of supply chains and the use of integrated systems are critical to survival in this industry.

What is your best advice to an applicant hoping to get into your school’s graduate Master’s program? Passion and purpose are critical success factors to any student in the MSSCM program at MSU. In one of the most rapidly emerging and changing industries, Supply Chain students need to have a pulse on the present while always looking into the future.  

What was your best memory from your Master’s program? My favorite memory from my Master’s program was the four onsite sessions that we were fortunate enough to partake in.  Graduating just before COVID-19 hit meant that my cohort was the last to experience the program in full  The face-to-face time I had with my classmates, the late nights spent working on projects and pondering the industry together are more valuable now than we could have ever imagined.

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