Manan Narula, MSCM '21

Manan Narula always knew he wanted to apply his technical engineering background to a business setting, but when he first started to apply for jobs after finishing his Master of Management degree at Georgetown University, he quickly realized he didn’t have the real-world experience he needed to land the jobs he wanted. “I knew I wanted to work in supply chain, but every position, even entry-level positions, required some experience. I needed experience to get experience. It was a bit of a chicken-egg problem.”

The answer to Manan’s problem? The Michigan Ross Master of Supply Chain Management Program. “Ross’ emphasis on action-based learning was exactly what I needed. I knew it would give me the experience I needed to get the jobs I wanted.”

Real-World Experience from the Start

When Manan got to Michigan Ross he dove into action-based learning. Through an elective course consulting project in collaboration with Kearney, he worked with a paint and coatings manufacturing company examining inventory distress caused by the pandemic. “It was my first time using my school knowledge in the real world. It was a great feeling,” he says.

During his second term, Manan expanded on his action-based learning in the program's capstone Supply Chain Consulting Studio course, which he says was by far the biggest highlight of his time at Ross. Manan worked for Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi, Inc., and traveled to Blue Springs, Mississippi, to work on a project to improve the cost efficiency of raw material delivery to the plant floor. For two weeks, he and his team conducted interviews and analyses to identify ways the company could gain efficiency through automation. “It was amazing to take everything we had learned in the program and apply it to the real world,” he says. “We found ways the company could save hundreds of thousands of dollars, and we now know they used our results to make real business decisions.”

We found ways the company could save hundreds of thousands of dollars, and we now know they used our results to make real business decisions.

Now in his first job as a supply chain consultant for Deloitte in Chicago, he says these projects were exactly what he needed. “During job interviews, I had a ton of work experience to talk about,” he says. “I know these projects were a big reason I landed my job at Deloitte.”

During job interviews, I had a ton of work experience to talk about. I know these projects were a big reason I landed my job at Deloitte.

Added Advantage of the Michigan Ross Alumni Network

Manan says the Michigan Ross alumni network also made a difference in landing his first job. “When I was first considering MSCM programs, the main thing I cared about was the job prospects after graduation,” he says. “As I started to learn about Ross, I quickly realized what a big advantage the Ross alumni network is.” Early in his job search process, Manan reached out to Ross alumni working in fields and companies in which he was interested. “It feels like Ross alumni are everywhere, in just about any company. Everyone I contacted was so friendly and supportive. People genuinely wanted to help.”

“Eventually, I want to work in demand planning,” Manan says. “It made me see that I’m now a part of this community that I can rely on for the rest of my career. I know that whatever twists and turns my career takes, there will be Ross alumni to support me long into the future.”

It made me see that I’m now a part of this community that I can rely on for the rest of my career. I know that whatever twists and turns my career takes, there will be Ross alumni to support me long into the future.

The Perfect Mix

Manan says that another thing he really liked about Michigan Ross was the fact that MSCM students take classes with MBA students. “The student mix is perfect,” he says. “I learned so much from my MSCM classmates, and also really appreciated having MBA students in my classes. Classroom discussions were always so diverse, and I learned to see things with different perspectives.” He says the student culture at Ross was helpful and collaborative. “Everyone motivated me to work hard and be better.”

As his time at Michigan Ross came to an end, Manan says, “What will always stand out the most to me is the friends I made here. I have the best memories, just hanging out and going out to eat at places around Ann Arbor. We came from around the country and world, and instantly bonded. These friendships will last a lifetime.”

We came from around the country and world, and instantly bonded. These friendships will last a lifetime.

Start with the End in Mind

When it comes to giving advice to future students, Manan says his biggest recommendation is to start with the end in mind: “Ross has so many resources to tap into, in terms of courses, student activities, and career activities. But the time goes by fast. In order to get the most out of everything here, you have to come in knowing exactly what your end goal is. When you have a specific plan, you can focus on exactly the resources you need and get the most out of them.”