The Supply Chain Advantage: Mentorship That Means Business
Personalized mentorship accelerates growth and leads to career clarity for supply chain management students
Mentoring at the Foster School of Business gives Master of Supply Chain Management students an edge, connecting classroom learning to real-world impact.
“The benefit for the mentees is having a trusted space to ask questions, gain perspective, and build confidence,” shares program mentor Mandee Montejano, Director of Customer Facing Supply Chain for Nestlé. “Mentorship helps students navigate uncertainty with guidance from someone who’s been there. It’s about connection, clarity, and encouragement at a pivotal time in their journey.”
Built on trust and experience, mentoring helps students grow professionally, expand their networks, and build long-term career momentum.
Exploring the Master of Supply Chain Management mentorship program
The Master of Supply Chain Management (MSCM) mentorship program matches students with experienced professionals for one-on-one and small group sessions. Mentors provide tailored guidance on job search strategy, skill development, and workplace dynamics, offering insider views on how supply chain leaders make decisions, lead teams, and grow their careers.
“Having a mentor during the program has given me clarity and confidence about navigating short- and long-term career goals,” says Sampada Aggarwal (MSCM 2025). “I’ve been able to identify actionable steps toward career growth and feel more prepared for real-world scenarios.”
Mentoring that’s built into the supply chain experience
In the fall, students apply to be mentees. The program matches them with industry leaders who understand their journey and are excited to support it.
“My mentor’s counsel around women’s empowerment, especially owning my voice in male-dominated spaces, has transformed how I approach leadership and career advancement,” continues Aggarwal. “I’d also like to highlight how impactful her guidance has been in helping me navigate difficult people and situations with composure and confidence—a skill that’s hard to learn but incredibly important.”
Learning from experienced mentors
For many students, mentoring opens doors to possibilities they hadn’t considered, helping them recognize their potential, discover new roles, and think more strategically about their careers.
“My mentor has helped me see the supply chain through a more strategic lens,” recalls Shani Eugenia (MSCM 2025). “She helped me realize that I could leverage my analytical abilities and interpersonal skills in roles such as customer supply chain or sales and operations planning.”
Many mentors go beyond traditional guidance, coordinating company visits, introductions to colleagues and their personal networks, and recommendations that open doors and spark new possibilities.
“This is a supercharged networking opportunity,” says Liz Satwicz, Associate Director of Industry Partnerships. “It removes the awkwardness of asking for help and replaces it with a thoughtful match and real momentum.”
A career game-changer
Mentorship at Foster School of Business goes far beyond networking. Students consistently walk away with:
- A clearer sense of career direction
- Access to professional networks
- Greater confidence in interviews and communication
- Tools to make strategic decisions
- Newfound inspiration for roles they hadn’t considered
- Company visits, private tours, and behind-the-scenes perspectives
Mentoring that shapes the journey
Students in the Master of Supply Chain Management program graduate ready to lead. Many go on to roles like Business Analyst, Procurement and Vendor Manager, and Operations and Inventory Specialist.
Foster’s strong industry ties, especially with West Coast employers like adidas, Amazon, Boeing, Costco, Nike, PACCAR, and Starbucks, position graduates for roles in procurement, operations, logistics, and global sourcing.
For many students, mentorship becomes more than a stepping stone. It’s a meaningful relationship that shapes their careers, confidence, mindset, and sense of belonging in the industry.
“Becoming a mentor for Foster students was a natural extension of my own journey,” concludes Montejano, a long-time mentor. “I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who believed in me, challenged me, and helped shape my career. My goal was to share practical insights, help them navigate early career decisions with confidence, and be a sounding board as they shape their professional paths. I wanted to create the kind of support system I would’ve valued at that stage in my journey.”
Learn more about the Master of Supply Chain Management here.
Hero photo (from left): MSCM student Tien Thanh “Ted” Bui, mentor Nicole Wedvik, and MSCM student Lena Abovskiy
