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Yasanthie Perera, a current Master’s Degree in Management Science and Supply Chain Management (MSSCM) student (MSSCM) at Wichita State University (WSU) applied for the SAP Ariba Sourcing platform project for her internship, and is loving every minute of it.
“Since supply chain is an integrated field of study, my internship is helping me to explore and understand the different scales of procurement and sourcing that take place in an industrial environment. Through my work in my internship, I’m confronting real supply chain issues and working on solutions that make a difference to the company. In my opinion, this is the best way to apply what I’m learning in my graduate supply chain programme,” says Perera.
By participating in an internship with Johnson Controls Inc., Yoyi Kadiri from Nigeria was able to gain hands-on experience related to the theoretical aspect of the programme.
“Some courses prepared me for the labour market with robust information about the trends in modern supply chain activities,” he shares.
Perera and Kadiri are among the 16,000 students who flock to WSU for one major reason: location. Since Wichita – the largest city in Kansas – is one of America’s top exporting regions with several big food and commodity-oriented business headquarters, WSU enjoys a strong connection with many local, regional and national businesses.
At the same time, WSU’s Innovation Campus has been attracting an increasing number of companies like Dassault Systemes and Boston Consulting Group to set up their base. Deloitte is building their first smart factory there to help companies accelerate their digital transformation as well.
The convenient access to many top-notch companies at WSU explains why around 96% of co-op placements are paid (significantly higher than the 47% national average). Among state universities, WSU boasts the highest number of students getting employed in Kansas (74%) within a year of graduation.
What’s more, Wichita City’s dynamic business environment makes it perfect to study the innovative MSSCM – an interdisciplinary 33-hour STEM degree, which is a partnership between the W. Frank Barton School of Business and the College of Engineering. The Barton School holds a dual AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting; only 5% of the world’s business schools have this dual accreditation.
Add in the international mix of students coming from 110 countries as well, and you have the most racially and ethnically diverse university campus in the whole of Kansas at WSU – a fact that highly appeals to Kadiri.
MSSCM students receive various assistance in landing internships. Source: Wichita State University
“Meeting new people of divergent backgrounds and cultures, networking with other students, faculty and industry experts, and the opportunity to try out new cuisines are my favourite memories of WSU,” Kadiri, a fellow MSSCM student, enthuses.
Furthermore, the MSSCM being a STEM-designated programme qualifies international students to work in America up to three years after graduation. For the 65% of the MSSCM students who are international, this is a highly desirable advantage.
That’s not all. When students embark on the MSSCM programme, they can expect to receive superb assistance from WSU in various forms especially for internship placements.
“There are several tools that students look at to find out about internships and jobs such as Handshake, LinkedIn and WSU’s Shocker Career Accelerator. Our Supply Chain Management programme faculty and advisors also post full time/part time job and internship opportunities on the Blackboard (learning management system) and the graduate supply chain student group will communicate via social media job and internship opportunities,” explains Perera.
MSSCM students appreciate the fact that their professors help them thrive. Source: Wichita State University
Similarly, Kadiri searched for internships through LinkedIn, career fairs, and WSU’s student association for supply chain management.
On top of that, WSU helps prospective internship students be better prepared for the whole process. Perera adds: “The students were provided materials on how to do face-to-face interviews. The faculty in the programme also regularly invite supply chain professionals to events and classes which facilitates networking between students and industry professionals which can lead to internships and job opportunities.”
Indeed, Kadiri truly appreciates the WSU faculty’s efforts to help MSSCM students thrive: “Support from faculty in navigating through university policies and adjusting to life in a new country as an international student, made integration into university and community smoother.”
What is even more attractive about completing the MSSCM here is the shorter time-frame to graduate: within 18 to 24 months. Additionally, with two tracks in Management and Analytics, they can expect to work in various supply chain management industries such as logistics, distribution and warehouse management.
Little wonder that WSU is one of the fastest-growing American research universities with US$164 million in funding each year. For 10 years in a row, WSU has been the top university for transfer students in Kansas as well.
Finally, international students with a 3.3 GPA can apply for graduate student scholarships that come with a 38% tuition fee reduction; graduate assistantships and fellowships are offered too.
If you are an international student looking to pursue the MSSCM in Kansas’ most diverse and affordable university, apply here today.
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