College Experiences That Helped a Global Procurement Manager at Commonwealth Fusion Systems and SpaceX Succeed
To prepare for a successful career, Nihitha emphasizes consistent networking, starting "even if it was my freshman year," and actively participating in career fairs to gain work experience. This, coupled with leadership roles in clubs and participation in "nationally recognized case competitions," provided valuable skills and experience that helped shape their path to becoming a Global Procurement Manager.
Networking, Leadership, Career Exploration, Extracurricular Activities, Case Competitions
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Nihitha Kishore
Global Procurement Manager
Commonwealth Fusion Systems & SpaceX
Rutgers University
UCLA-Anderson MBA
Industrial, Supply Chain Management
Aerospace, Aviation & Defense
Operations and Project Management
Honors Student, Took Out Loans, Immigrant, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Attend career fairs and network consistently from early in your college career.
2. Develop leadership skills by participating in clubs and holding leadership roles.
3. Participate in case competitions to gain practical experience and stand out to potential employers.
Transcript
So, what did you do in undergrad to set yourself up for success in your career?
One of the biggest things I did in undergrad was attend all the career fairs. Whether it was part of the business school at Rutgers, the engineering organization, or at an overall university level, I learned the importance of networking early on. Meeting people and practicing my elevator pitch helped me look for work experience opportunities.
I started this even in my freshman year, consistently doing it every year. This is how I was able to get internships, starting more my sophomore year after joining the career fair in the fall.
Another thing I valued was being part of clubs and holding leadership roles. I think this really helped develop my leadership skills, and I enjoyed being involved outside of just going to class. Being involved in something you're passionate about helps you stand out and be well-rounded.
With supply chain specifically, I participated in some nationally recognized case competitions. I think this gave me good experience before entering the workforce and showed me what could be expected.
So, really making sure to spend time being involved in things that push you out of your comfort zone, like networking, helped me get to where I am today. I'm very thankful for those opportunities.