Master’s in Supply Chain Management: Shengyi (Marshall) Wang, Washington University (Olin)

“Understand your strengths and the specialties that align with your goals; maybe it’s your data analytics skill, your unique business experience or your new ideas about an industry. Since WashU Olin is filled with top minds from around the globe, applicants need to bring their own specialties to get in.”

Student Name: Shengyi (Marshall) Wang

Graduate Business School: Washington University in St. Louis Olin Business School

Describe Yourself In 15 Words: Always passionate about work and life, I am a reliable colleague and cheerful friend.

Master’s Graduation Class: 2019.

Undergraduate School and Major: Massachusetts Maritime Academy, International Maritime Business.

Current Employer and Job Title: T-Mobile, Supply Planning Analyst.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I led the equipment transfer process during the Sprint and T-Mobile merger, which is an important part of the merger deal to get approved by the FCC and the US Department of Justice. 

As the POC of the legacy Sprint ERP system, I worked closely with the tech team and Dish Network to produce a national sites equipment list for pick up to fulfill the requested deadline. I also successfully migrated Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile and prepaid business’ equipment for $1.4 billion to Dish Network.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as a graduate student: Working as vice president of the SMP Council, I connected SMP students with Olin resources and other student groups, including undergraduate and MBA students. The SMP Council co-hosted events with our full-time MBA program, which helped our Specialized Master program earn Liberman Leadership Awards. This experience helped me make friends with people at Olin from diverse backgrounds. It also helped me hone my leadership abilities and presentation skills.

What was the key factor that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The alumni network is the key factor why I choose Olin Business School. A business career is built on connection and hard work, and WashU Olin’s strong and global alumni network will definitely help me pursue my personal goals. Before I decided to join WashU Olin, I was able to join an Olin Alumni Event. While there, I found Olin alumni who were very supportive and willing to help me. 

What led you to choose a Master’s in Supply Chain Management over an MBA? As a young professional, I thought it would be a better idea to dive further into an area that interests me, like supply chain. This specialized master’s degree would help me standout and enhance my professional knowledge and skillset to shape me as a more attractive candidate.

What has been your favorite course and how has it helped you in your career? Project Management with Professor Sergio Chayet was one of the most useful courses during my graduate study. It combined the analytical skills we learned from other classes with the applicable project management method, building a foundation for future PMP certification needed. My experience is in the telecom industry, which is heavily project-driven. Our network tower building, retail store management and 5G technology upgrade are all based on designed projects and processes. During this course, the project management skills I learned helped me build a clear logic to support and follow up on various projects, as well as increase my effectiveness at planning.

What role did your school play in helping you to land your first job out of the program? WashU Olin’s strong alumni network helped me land my first job out of the Specialized Masters program. Along with Washington University’s career fair, Olin has a career fair tailored to business students, giving us more resources and a bigger platform. I had the chance to talk with an alum from the telecom industry who is also a recruiter. I was also introduced to other experts in this area, giving me visibility and helping me land my first job. 

How did your classmates enhance the value of your business school experience? This question reminds me of great days with my classmates—whole afternoons in Knight Hall figuring out supply chain models, going to Edward Jones’ headquarter for a practicum presentation, and a team lunch together at a cafe in the Delmar Loop. All of my classmates are very smart and capable, and each brought a diverse business background, global experience and unique outlooks. They helped me have a great business school experience and create special memories I’ll always remember.

Who was your favorite faculty member and how did this person enrich your learning? Professor Sergio Chayet had great insights and solid experiences in the supply chain area. He was able to use the most interesting way to teach you the most complicated concept. Professor Chayet has many connections in the supply chain industry. Every week he brought supply chain managers or directors to our class to have a knowledge-sharing secession. He is an easygoing professor, as well, with a smile on his face all the time. Whenever I have a question, I know I can go directly to his office to ask it. 

What is your best advice to an applicant hoping to get into your school’s graduate Master’s program? Understand your strengths and the specialties that align with your goals; maybe it’s your data analytics skill, your unique business experience or your new ideas about an industry. Since WashU Olin is filled with top minds from around the globe, applicants need to bring their own specialties to get in.

What was your best memory from your master’s program? My best memory is a dinner all the MSSCM 2019 students had with Professor Chayet together during Christmas 2019. We had a great time talking about what we would do during winter break, what we were expecting about the upcoming coursework and other interesting topics, including a funny joke by Professor Chayet. This stands out because that’s when everyone in the program became close friends. Since then, we’ve all helped in many ways, including our job searches. Time flies, but this warm dinner will be my best memory as a WashU Olin student.

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