Stepping onto MIT’s campus post-acceptance, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I didn’t belong. As I walked past the iconic Maclaurin building, overheard engaging discussions at Ripple Café, and used my student discount for the first time at the COOP, I kept thinking: I’m not as smart as everyone here. My undergrad GPA wasn’t a 4.0, I haven’t invented a world-changing product (yet), and I still can’t spell “Massachusetts” without looking it up. How could I possibly belong among some of the greatest minds in the world?

Then came orientation. I met the most synergetic, welcoming, and supportive cohort, faculty, and staff. My feelings of intimidation pivoted to invigoration. Since that day, I’ve woken up each morning knowing I will be challenged but supported, inspired but humbled, stretched but empowered. As the initial awe of arriving on MIT’s campus settled into the rhythms of daily life, I came to some fundamental truths that I’d like to share:

Everybody experiences imposter syndrome at some point.
Honestly, if someone claims to have never felt this way, I’d challenge them to dig deeper. While the feeling is normal, it’s impossible for everyone to be an imposter. I quickly realized that I do belong here and that I bring unique contributions to the world’s most pressing issues. Most importantly, MIT thrives on its diversity of backgrounds, experiences, visions, and aspirations—and that’s what makes it so special.

I’m smarter than I think.
This isn’t to sound pompous, but it’s true. Walking into my first MIT exam, I fully expected a brain-twisting three hours. (To be fair, it was challenging.) But the sun rose the next morning, and I did much better on the exam than I’d expected! I realized that I can do this. More importantly, grades are only one part of the holistic MIT experience and don’t solely measure intelligence. The people, opportunities, and places at CTL and across MIT define this journey far more than any exam score ever could.

My assigned cohort became lifelong friends.
When I applied to graduate school, making new friends wasn’t at the forefront of my mind, unlike when I first went to college. While I anticipated broadening my professional network, I never imagined that the people I’d meet would span the globe, creating a friendship network across over 35 countries. I’d argue that this has been the greatest support in overcoming imposter syndrome, as I feel surrounded every day by friends who have become like family.

What am I investing in if I’m not growing?
Let’s be real—graduate school is expensive, and every day feels like drinking from a firehose. However, if I wanted to settle for the status quo, I could have stayed content with my current situation. Instead, I’m here at MIT, fully committed to making the most of every moment. When that inner voice tries to convince me I’m inferior to those around me, I remind myself that I’m here for a reason and absolutely belong.

If there’s one thing to take away from this blog, it’s that imposter syndrome is something we’ve all experienced—and you are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. I truly hope to see you at MIT soon!

The phrase ‘it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon’ is something that I hold near and dear.  Since my early teens, I’ve been a competitive endurance athlete. To this day, mornings and weekends are often filled with athletics. While not directly tied to academia, I have found that it is a critical outlet to gain fresh perspective and reflect.

Much like running a marathon, how to pursue the challenging agenda of global supply chain management is quite the opposite of a box-checking exercise. Solution development in today’s increasingly complex global stage requires consistent effort, innovation, and multi-disciplinary collaboration, which is why I ultimately decided on MIT’s Supply Chain Management blended Master program.

Following my undergraduate career across various natural science disciplines from biomedical research at UNC Chapel Hill, to drinking water quality research in the Galápagos Islands, I knew I didn’t want to simply ‘check any boxes’ for my next career move. As a challenge to the status quo and the inexorable rise of my parents’ blood pressure, I did, ironically, check a box on an admittance computer screen that determined my next two years. One suitcase and a hiking backpack later, I headed to Ethiopia to serve as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer teaching English to high school students.

I often reflect on my time in the Peace Corps and note that these were some of the hardest times I will likely endure, but the two most precious. While the experiences provided significant challenges, they also brought a unique understanding of what I was, and continue to be, most passionate about – partnering with others, no matter the geographical location, to create a more sustainable and equitable environment for today, and many generations to come.

A couple of years ago, following the completion of a Master of Environmental Management, I stepped, rather blindly, into a new challenge. Leaning into a mentor’s guidance, I made a career pivot that was uncharted territory, and not directly aligned with my previous academic or professional training. Despite contributing to several organizations’ environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs, I hadn’t had the opportunity to collaborate directly with value chain partners. Innovating within the foodservice industry to drive a more sustainable packaging supply chain has resulted in incredibly challenging, yet rewarding, years.

Simultaneously, to support my understanding of supply chain management and related functions, MIT’s MicroMasters program far exceeded my expectations. What started as a strategy to build on my environmental management background to bridge my knowledge to supply chain management, analysis, and systems thinking, evolved into so much more. Ultimately, the blended Master program was the right fit following completion of the MicroMasters, as it allowed me to continue to focus on sustainable sourcing initiatives, before moving this past January. After tackling an 18-hour car trip and digging myself out of several inches of snow in the frozen tundra, otherwise known as Cambridge, I couldn’t be surer in the choice of the program!

“But for a few small changes, our lives could be profoundly different” one of my favourite quotes by Brian Klass and something that resonates with every one of us.

What if Covid had not forced us to stay indoors? What if I had not been bored out of my mind after work? What if a well wisher had not suggested the MITx Micro Masters Course to me (“to kill my boredom”)? What if I had not taken up a chance internship opportunity during my undergraduate years, which eventually sparked my passion for Supply Chain in the first place? What if indeed.

Well, all the above happened – by chance I might add, and here I am halfway across the world from everything I knew and grew up around, for a roller coaster ride.

On the 2^nd of January at 2 am (very late into the night or very early into the morning, whichever you would) I started my time travel to Boston. After a tedious 24-hour travel, I landed in Boston on the 2^nd of January. After almost a month of being here, I am still getting used to Boston’s unforgiving weather. Thankfully it was just a 15-minute ride from the airport to my dorm – Ashdown House. As someone who has been living away from home and with roommates since the age of 13, I am not just accustomed to, but I also enjoy living with different people from different walks of life and learning about new cultures. I wanted shared housing (my opinion probably differs from most others here).

During my search for the “right” room during my time at MIT, thanks to the residential cohort’s previous blog post about MIT graduate housing, I was able to narrow down my housing options. And then I came across some very interesting facts. Ashdown house is supposed to be the second oldest graduate housing in the United States and the first in MIT.  As many of you (or a few of you) may know, Ashdown House was relocated from W1 to NW35 in the year 2008. So, the building is new, but the legacy is old. I felt it would be interesting to be associated with a dorm that has such a rich history and so that became my choice of stay. And not to forget – tons of free food with the Coffee Hours and Sunday Brunches!!

So by chance, now here I am in my new “home” with two wonderful roommates – one of them is an amazing baker I might add (to the benefit of someone that has a particularly sweet tooth), still getting accustomed to the Boston weather. SCALE has been hectic but extremely rewarding.

And so far, it’s been real, it’s been fun. It’s been real fun. Looking forward to what else MIT and Ashdown has in store for me.

As we kick off another application season, we reached out to recent alumni to learn about their experience in the Supply Chain Management (SCM) Master’s program and its impact on their careers. 

We sat down with Anirudh “Rudy” Narula, a Business Systems Manager at Soleno Therapeutics, a small biopharmaceutical company in the pre-commercial phase, and a graduate of the MIT SCM Master’s Class of 2024. Prior to the program, Rudy spent over five years at HCL Software.

Rudy’s first manager in his professional career pushed him to explore his MIT Master’s, having gone through a program with MIT Sloan School 40 years prior and reflecting on its transformational experience that broadened his perspective. With this guidance, Rudy started the Supply Chain Management MicroMastersprogram before leaning further in and applying to the complete 10-month program. For Rudy, the SCM program opened doors for him to pursue new career opportunities in new fields—a pivot he was excited to explore.

We spoke with Rudy to get a closer look at his experience—what attracted him to the MIT Program, how the program set him up for success amid his desired career pivot, and what he hopes other students will get out of the program.

Why did the MIT Supply Chain Master’s program stand out to you?

The program stood out for a handful of reasons—the firstbeing the length, which also translates to cost. Unlike traditional programs, MIT’s program is ten months, not two years. I also liked how the program felt more technical and tactical than what you’d get from a general MBA. There was a focus on the new age of technology, like machine learning and AI, that was relevant to the world we live in today, which I liked. And lastly, the class sizes were great. I was part of a very large program for undergrads at U.C. Berkeley, and our graduating class was upwards of 8,000, 500 of which were in my economics major. It isn’t easy to feel genuinely connected with so many students. However, with the MIT program, we had around 40 residential and 40 blended students, so you could get to know people one-on-one, which was nice.

What was your favorite part of the program?

I loved how easy it was to connect with classmates, faculty, and PhD students teaching. Everyone was so welcoming and engaging. I thought I might come across people with big egos or an air of superiority around them, knowing how prestigious MIT is, but that could not have been farther from the truth!

As we kick off another application season, we reached out to recent alumni to learn about their experience in the Supply Chain Management (SCM) Master’s program and the impact it has had on their careers. 

We sat down with AJ Shaw, a Program Manager at Google and a graduate of the MIT SCM Master’s Class of 2024. Prior to the program, AJ attended Michigan State University, studying Applied Engineering Sciences with a concentration in Supply Chain Management. After undergrad, AJ worked at Microsoft as a technical program manager for three years, where he became eager to further grow his academic knowledge in supply chain.

Heading into the MIT Program, AJ recognized how much change was happening across the supply chain industry and the deep need for continuous improvement. He joined the program with a desire to learn tangible skills—from academics and from world-class leaders—to set himself up for long-term career growth and success.

We spoke with AJ to get a closer look at his experience—what inspired him to choose MIT, how the program shaped his new career, and his advice for future students. 

What was your favorite part about the Supply Chain program?

At MIT, you are part of a vibrant community with people from all walks of life with different job histories, geographic upbringings, and perspectives on the world. I loved coming together and learning alongside each other. And not just learning but playing together. I played intramural soccer with my classmates, which was a great experience. There is a memorable photo of our team representing eight different countries! It highlights the global impact and reach the program provides.

What was your most memorable class that you took while at MIT?

The program does a great job of ensuring students can customize their class loads to reflect their interests. I particularly liked the Current Events and Supply Chain course. It was a class where the students could present a topic they were passionate about, do their research, present it back, learn, and ask questions about other classmates’ topics. I loved having the opportunity to explore different aspects and elements of the supply chain and do it from a perspective that we’re passionate about as students.

What was the most surprising part of the program?

One of my biggest surprises was seeing how engaging all the alumni were across the program. The MIT program spoke frequently about it through the admissions process, but it hit me once I was there. The alumni I met were always ready to help me and my classmates. Plus, our career advisors, Justin and Len, were fantastic in understanding what we were interested in from a location and job function perspective, putting us in touch with specific alumni to help us find our path forward. From there, the relationship with the alumni grew organically and helped form some long-term mentorships.

What type of person would you recommend for the program and why?

This program can be for anybody and everybody, whether you are looking for a career pivot or hoping to advance your career through advanced academia. I loved my job at Microsoft, but I wanted to try something new and expand my career horizons.

The program helps guide you to understand what’s most important to you, whether it’s the job function, the industry, the location, or something else. Throughout the program, students are exposed to a robust alumni community, great networking sessions, and distinguished guest speakers, all of which drive value for your time at MIT and ultimately make the program stand out.

As we kick off another application season, we reached out to recent alumni to learn about their experience in the Supply Chain Management (SCM) Master’s program and the impact that it’s had on their careers.

We sat down with Loreto Cantú, a Supply Chain Data Analytics Manager at L’Oréal and a graduate of the MIT SCM Master’s Class of 2024. Originally from Monterrey, Mexico, Loreto earned her undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering from Tecnológico de Monterrey, studying abroad at UC Berkley for one semester. After graduation, she gained experience in demand and supply planning at OXXO, the largest convenience store company in Latin America.

A couple of years into her career, Loreto decided to take the leap to pursue her Master’s at MIT, a goal she set since winning MIT’s Supply Chain Excellence Award during undergrad. The opportunity to return to the US to further advance her career was a driving force for her to apply for the 2024 program. At MIT, Loreto served as Co-President of her class, where she helped build a strong community among her peers, especially fellow international students.

Loreto’s journey to MIT was fueled by her ambition to grow professionally and make a global impact. We spoke with Loreto to get a closer look at her experience—what inspired her to choose MIT, how the program shaped her career, and the advice she has for future students.

How did you find out about the program, and what motivated you to apply?

When finishing my degree, I received the Supply Chain Excellence Award, a scholarship unique to the MIT program. That’s how I first learned about MIT’s post-graduate opportunities, and as I entered the workforce at OXXO, I made sure to get all the experience I could to prepare for MIT.

I knew that I would be one of the youngest in the cohort, and I had to get all the experience, all the insights that I could as fast as I could so that I could eventually give back to the MIT community with the knowledge that I had back from Mexico.

What made the SCM program stand out to you compared to other options?

After doing all the trade-offs between an MBA and the SCM program, I realized it’s a one-year program, which means half the cost. You get both the business and technical sides, and you can personalize the program as much as you want. That’s what differentiates it from an MBA.

What was your favorite part of the program?

Everybody will say the same thing: it’s the people. The network is so important. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to be class president, which exposed me to new challenges and leadership opportunities.

How did the program help you land your current role at L’Oreal?

Right after the program, I accepted an offer from L’Oreal in New Jersey. This opportunity came from the SCALE Network, which exposes students to various speakers and conferences and eventually landed me a role in Supply Chain Data Analytics.

Since starting the SCM program at MIT, I’ve experienced several things for the first time (machine learning, humanitarian logistics, and truckload procurement to name a few!) Last week, I was able to add a few more items to that list – seeing the Miraflores locks in action at the Panama Canal and getting my first glimpse at the Golden Gate bridge. Thank you MIT SCM!

When my career started, the decision to stay in the healthcare industry was driven by an impactful personal experience; my sister went through an open-heart surgery. I immediately knew I wanted to pursue a career within the healthcare industry. Following that mission, I decided to join one of the most lifechanging healthcare industries in the world. As I reflect on my previous experiences, the MIT SCM Program offers the perfect opportunity to gain additional understanding of how Supply Chain environments operate, and as a result, strengthened my ability to impact people’s lives through my daily work.

My life’s mission and career has shaped me to become a professional with a high sense of responsibility, passion about cultivating partnerships, and desire for making an impact on the world. As one tries to approach a complex problem within any field, one of the most impactful ways to tackle it is to bring diverse perspectives into a competitive environment to drive positive results. This is exactly how I’ve been working since the SCM Program started. The MIT SCM cohort and MIT Academic environment provide such a rich and diverse multi-cultural atmosphere that allows students to approach every challenge with a high sense of competitiveness while respecting everyone’s contributions. And that’s where the beauty of this program is: 70% of the class comes from an International Country and 30% of the class is represented by women.

Being a Latin woman within the Supply Chain industry and the only Puerto Rican in this year’s MIT SCM Residential program, I constantly think about the importance of continuing to support girls to dream BIG! One day it was me dreaming about being HERE, and now here’s me showing up to support you on your journey. 

My vision for my future is to focus on continuing to reduce complexities within global environments; and drive Supply Chain agility and responsiveness through innovative solutions, while accelerating the ability to bring life-changing products to customers in more efficient and effective ways. Today I can reiterate that the MIT Supply Chain Management Master’s Program is definitely the best vehicle to gain the necessary tools to fulfill that vision.

I didn’t just start my MIT journey 1 month ago when I joined, I started 5 years ago when I started my first job at a technology company. I was fresh into my job, fresh to the corporate world, and fresh to tech, and what I found in my manager was a friend, a teacher, and one of the most intelligent, humble and kind people I had ever met. He did his Master’s at MIT. As young professionals, so much of our personality is shaped by our first job and who we interact with. My manager was this guide to me. For as long as I have known him, I have wanted to be like him. He always talks about how MIT was a transformational experience for him and made him the person that he is today.

MIT to me was not just a brand, but a personal desire to become a more whole person, one of technical bent of mind, curious, inquisitive, yet thinking about ways to make the world better. I also came to MIT to pivot from software into biotechnology. I have been a Type 1 Diabetic for the last 21 years, and a majority of that was spent in India, with the last 9 years in the US. Coming to the US, I saw the disparity in Medtech device availability between the US and countries like India. I searched and searched to figure out the cause for this rift, and a lot of it came down to supply chain issues. This was my reason for applying to and joining the Supply Chain Management program at MIT.

Before joining, some naïve part of me worried that everyone would be brilliant and I would be left behind, but since coming here, I have realized that I have not been left behind; not because my classmates are not brilliant, but because we all have our strengths and do a phenomenal job of complementing each other’s skill sets. The MIT SCM cohort is also one of the most welcoming spaces, both from the students, faculty, and staff. I have never felt this comfortable walking up to a professor or researcher and just chatting about new innovations, and casually discussing world changing solutions over a beer.  

I hope to do good in the world, and MIT is going to help me achieve that. To end, I take a breath, and remind myself that I am here, at one of the best universities in the world, and that…I made it.

Cambridge, MA, is not my first residence in the United States. During my years as an undergraduate student in San Sebastian, Spain -my home town-, I was given the opportunity to study abroad. I had numerous possibilities from which to choose, but my inner Computer Scientist felt compelled to pick Santa Clara, CA.

So, I relocated to the heart of Silicon Valley for a full term in 2017. I was beyond excited to live the ‘American student’ experience. I was 22 years old, living in a fairly small town, though relatively close to two main US cities, San Jose and San Francisco, dream cities for many. Being a foreign student, just for five months in the area, and obviously on a tight budget… I could not be independent enough to explore Santa Clara’s surroundings as I pleased.

As an exchange student, the experience you gain from the abroad program is in no way comparable to that of a full-time student. Your mindset is just different in the sense that you feel that your time there is fleeting as if you were on vacation. I did travel to a few places nearby and outside of California, but my mindset remained the same: I didn’t belong here, and I knew this experience would be over shortly. Don’t get me wrong, I had a wonderful experience there, and I would choose that same location over again if I had the option (I suppose having Silicon Valley on my Resume played a part in that decision). But I can see now that attending University as a full-time student in Cambridge is a very different experience.