FSB alumni return to inspire next generation at annual Supply Chain Roundtable
Returning alumni offer straight talk on job hunting, networking, and building early-career momentum
FSB alumni return to inspire next generation at annual Supply Chain Roundtable
Returning alumni offer straight talk on job hunting, networking, and building early-career momentum
Each fall for the last several years, the Supply Chain Roundtable has been an opportunity for students interested in supply chain operations and management to network with employers, learn about industry trends, and listen as professionals discuss their jobs and careers.
One of the highlights is a panel discussion featuring alumni from the Farmer School of Business, who return to campus to pass on what they’ve learned to the next generation.
Emily McAtee is one of the people who benefitted from the event when she was a student.
“I'm excited to return to campus and support an event that helped shape my professional journey,” she explained. “It's a great opportunity to reconnect with the university and contribute to the development of future supply chain professionals.”
McAtee is a site integrated planning and initiatives operations leader at Procter & Gamble, where she’s worked since graduating from FSB in 2024.
“I hope to encourage students to stay curious, be adaptable, and take advantage of all opportunities. Building strong relationships, being willing to solve problems, and continuously developing new skills can make a significant difference throughout a career,” she said.
Steven Baughman ’21, a senior performance management analyst at DHL Supply Chain, said that returning to campus for the event was an easy decision.
“I get the opportunity to return to one of my favorite places in the world, especially in the fall. More importantly, I remember what it was like to be in these students' shoes and how challenging it can be to get your foot in the door,” he said. “I appreciate the chance to share my experiences, help students explore career paths they may not have considered, and connect talented individuals with opportunities that could be a great fit for them.”
“They don’t need to have everything figured out right away. Some of the best opportunities come from being open to new experiences, asking questions, and being willing to take chances,” Baughman said. “I want them to understand that careers are rarely a straight line. The skills they build, the relationships they develop, and the effort they put in often matters more than having a perfect plan from day one.”
Connor Evans ’19, an assistant manager, sourcing and procurement at Honda of America, said he looked forward to returning to an event that had such an impact upon him.
“The Supply Chain Roundtable is where I made the connections that led to my job with Honda. I want to give Miami students the same opportunity to get recognized and promote themselves with great companies. Coming back to school gives me the opportunity to have gratitude for those opportunities and foster that same environment for new supply chain students,” he said.
“I've been able to use this event to expand my network by connecting with the other companies and Miami professors at the event. Getting the chance to talk and befriend other supply chain professionals outside of Honda has been valuable to building my network,” Evans explained.
His advice to students? Embrace every advantage you’re offered.
“It’s very important to use the resources that Miami's providing to attain career goals like internships or a full-time first job. Your success rate will be very high if you can leverage any of these resources. And there are so many options to choose from,” Evans said. “Attend all the career fairs, join the Supply Chain club, stay after class to connect with guest speakers, actively discuss your career goals with your professors ,or reach out to recent Miami supply chain alumni for guidance.”
Evan Crew, an Oracle Cloud SCM Consultant at Terillium and a 2022 Farmer School of Business alum, said his company looks to Miami for high-quality employees.
“Connecting with the talented students coming through the supply chain program has and will continue to pay dividends for Terillium, so we're always eager to spread the word about our company,” he said. “For me, I enjoy getting to hear the different perspectives of students preparing to enter the supply chain industry. The conversations help me understand what students are looking for in their careers, and I like sharing the opportunities that consulting can provide.”
“When I was in school, these connections helped guide me towards a career path I wanted, which I hope to help do the same for students,” Crew said. “I want students to know that developing strong relationships is crucial to success in their careers. Events like the roundtable provide a great setting to make these connections.”
More than 70 managers and employees from more than two dozen companies took part in this year’s event, which hosted nearly 150 students.