Navigating a Career in Supply Chain Management

For Nora Kabbani (MSCM 2024), the decision to pivot into supply chain management was fueled by a desire to solve real-world challenges.

Originally from Seattle, Kabbani earned a degree in industrial engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and began her career as a technical sales engineer in the Bay Area. During the pandemic, she experienced firsthand how supply chain disruptions impacted businesses. She recognized an opportunity to transition into a career in supply chain management, where she could make a meaningful impact.

But, Kabbani quickly recognized that landing a new job in supply chain management would require more than technical skills. Employers wanted candidates with a deep understanding of global operations and business. After researching training and master’s programs, she returned home to Seattle to pursue a Master of Supply Chain Management at the Foster School of Business.

“I needed a program that would set me up for success and open doors in supply chain,” she says. “Foster checked all the boxes: great reputation, expert faculty, stellar industry connections, and a collaborative learning environment.”

Less than a year after graduation, she is an Inventory Control Specialist at Costco, ensuring a steady supply of fuel to stations nationwide—a role she credits directly to her experience at Foster.

From classroom to Costco: Breaking into supply chain management

Kabbani’s initial role at Costco focused on dispatching gas deliveries to 61 stations across five states, ensuring each location had the right amount of fuel at the right time.

“Every day, I analyzed data, forecasted demand, and troubleshooted logistics,” she shares. “It was a fast-paced, dynamic role that required technical skills and strategic thinking. This job is exactly what I want to do.”

Just a few months into the role, she transitioned to oversee gasoline supply at a national level.

“I’ve now shifted one step back in the supply chain,” she shares. “I’m ensuring there’s sufficient fuel allocation across contracts nationwide. I manage relationships with suppliers and work to maintain stable fuel distribution. It’s been fascinating to see how everything connects, and to apply what I learned at Foster to real-world supply chain operations.”

Why Foster? A program that bridges the gap

After deciding to pivot her career into supply chain management, Kabbani knew she needed more than classroom learning; she needed a program that could connect her to the industry, provide real-world applications, and sharpen her technical and leadership skills.

“When I looked at different master’s programs, I didn’t want something that was just about sitting in lectures and memorizing frameworks,” she explains. “I wanted a program that would challenge me, put me in real supply chain scenarios, and help me think critically about solving problems—not just learning theories about them.”

What set Foster apart was its experiential learning model. Foster’s curriculum mirrors real-world supply chain challenges.

“Every class built on the last,” she says. “We weren’t just learning software tools—we were learning how to ask the right questions, process massive amounts of data, and translate complex findings into actionable insights.”

Foster’s location in Seattle, home to companies such as Alaska Airlines, Amazon, Boeing, Costco, Microsoft, and Nordstrom was another key reason she chose the program.

“Seattle offers so much for young professionals,” she shares. “There’s a huge network of companies shaping the future of supply chain, and I knew Foster would give me the tools and connections to thrive here.”

But perhaps the most significant reason she chose Foster? Its reputation.

“Foster is incredibly well-respected by major employers, not just in Seattle but globally,” she says. “That reputation played a huge role in my decision.”

The power of learning from classmates

According to Kabbani, one of the most valuable aspects of the program was working alongside classmates from incredibly diverse professional backgrounds.

“My classmates weren’t just coming from one industry—we had people with experience in automotive, semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, retail, and sustainability,” she says. “It was incredible to hear their insights on supply chain challenges from all over the world.”

This diversity reshaped the way she approached problem-solving.

“I remember talking to a classmate who worked in the automotive industry in India, and he brought perspectives on global sourcing and cost optimization that I had never even considered,” she said. “Another classmate had experience in chip manufacturing in Taiwan, which was crucial given all the supply chain issues in that space. These conversations weren’t just interesting; they directly applied to what we were learning in class.”

Investigating sustainability: The Fiji Water case study

One of the most eye-opening projects Kabbani worked on was a sustainability case study analyzing the true impact of Fiji Water’s supply chain.

“We wanted to see if their sustainability claims held up,” she recalls. “We looked at everything: where the water was sourced, labor conditions, environmental impact, and recycling rates. What we found was surprising. Despite its eco-friendly branding, it had questionable labor and environmental practices, raising questions about supply chain corporate responsibility.”

This project reinforced the importance of digging deeper and applying data-driven decision-making and many lenses to supply chain ethics.

How Foster prepares students for career success

Beyond academics, Foster provides the career resources and industry connections that helped Kabbani land her role at Costco.

“The career support was invaluable,” she explains. “It helped me navigate my job search and ultimately land my role at Costco. At Foster, networking was huge. I contacted alumni on LinkedIn, attended career fairs, and even participated in a national supply chain competition at Texas Christian University. Foster offered so many ways to make connections, and I took full advantage of them.”

An unexpected opportunity: local tour guide

As a Seattle local, Kabbani took on an unexpected role during the program: tour guide.

“Many of my classmates were from out of town, so I loved showing them around Seattle—whether it was finding the best restaurants, introducing them to spikeball, pickelball, or having them in my yoga classes, or introducing them to local spots,” she shares. “It made the program feel much more like a community, not just a school.”

She was also deeply involved in the social committee, helping plan events like a traditional falafel breakfast at her house, yoga classes, Diwali celebrations, karaoke, Lunar New Year celebrations, and countless potlucks.

“We had such a tight-knit group,” she said. “The friendships I made in this program will last a lifetime.”

Final thoughts: Why choose Foster?

For Kabbani, Foster was more than just an academic program—it was an accelerator for her career.

“If you want a hands-on, industry-connected, and incredibly supportive program, Foster is it,” she says. “It gave me the knowledge, network, and confidence to break into supply chain management. I couldn’t be happier with where I am today.”

Her biggest piece of advice to prospective students?

“Say yes to every opportunity. Go to networking events, talk to guest speakers, reach out to MSCM alumni on LinkedIn, and take advantage of career coaching and mentoring programs.”

She also advises students to embrace the program’s challenges as they mirror the realities of working in supply chain management.

“Leadership is about being comfortable with ambiguity; you won’t always have all the answers, and that’s okay. You learn to take ownership, delegate, and trust your team.”

She credits Foster for teaching her how to problem-solve in high-pressure situations, an invaluable skill in her current role.

“The program moves fast, but that’s exactly how supply chain works in the real world. You’re constantly balancing data analysis, decision-making, and communication, all under tight deadlines. Foster prepares you for that.”

Her final takeaway for future students?

“You have a master’s degree. Use it. Don’t settle for a role where you’re undervalued. Negotiate, advocate for yourself, and choose a company that aligns with your values. Foster gives you the tools—you just have to put them to work.”

Learn more about the Foster School of Business Master of Supply Chain Management here.