Earning a supply chain management master’s degree is an excellent way to develop new skills and understanding. SCM online graduate students acquire foundational knowledge that informs all aspects of supply chain management and lays the groundwork for lifelong learning. They also cultivate advanced competencies to distinguish themselves in a competitive job market.
Hands-on learning is integral to a thorough SCM education; research indicates that experiential education positively affects student motivation and engagement, resulting in better academic performance and enhanced career readiness. Networking, acquiring leadership skills, and career development are equally important to SCM success. That’s why the University of Tennessee (UT), Knoxville’s Master of Science in Supply Chain Management (MS SCM) Online program combines them all in its three-day immersion experience. Through the immersion, students in the program gain practical skills while benefiting from valuable networking opportunities.
Develop Global Supply Chain Management Skills and Insight
Earn Your Degree From a Leader in the SCM Field
Find Out MoreImmersion Essentials
Students attend one three-day immersion during the Master of Science in Supply Chain Management Online program. They may choose to attend any immersion that suits their schedule.
Inside the Immersive Experience
During the immersion, online students tour the school, experience UT culture, engage in professional development, and meet their peers and professors in person. The immersion, scheduled for a Sunday through Tuesday morning, is followed by UT’s biannual Supply Chain Forum (Tuesday afternoon through Thursday), enabling students to participate in workshops and connect with industry leaders.
Dive Into Immersion Activities
Immersions include varied learning and networking opportunities.
Workshops: Hands-On Learning and Career Growth
During the on-campus immersion, MS SCM Online students participate in specially designed activities that include salary negotiation workshops, career advancement seminars, and alumni thought leadership panels. The subsequent Supply Chain Forum sessions and panel discussions focus on industry trends and challenges, as well as breakout sessions that facilitate real-world problem-solving.
Networking With Peers and Industry Leaders
Immersion attendees, who represent a broad, nationwide cross-section of industry experience, have many opportunities to connect with their peers, professors, and alumni. These networking sessions enable MS SCM Online students to make connections with peers and potential employers and mentors.
Those attendees who remain for the Supply Chain Forum enjoy additional networking activities. The Supply Chain Forum attracts over 350 supply chain leaders from Fortune 500 companies such as Amazon, Caterpillar, Pfizer, and Sysco. The Forum agenda includes dedicated networking events and informal networking occasions.
Meeting faculty, peers, alumni, and industry leaders can significantly benefit supply chain master’s students. Industry leaders offer valuable insight into industry trends, hiring expectations, and career pathways, enabling students to create a game plan for reaching their career goals. Engaging with others in the industry provides opportunities to discover job opportunities, learn about emerging solutions to everyday challenges, and solicit mentorship and support.
Beyond Learning: Building a Community
The UT MS SCM online program prioritizes community-building. Throughout the program, students participate in live online sessions, interacting with peers and instructors. Students capitalize on these sessions to ask questions, discuss course content, and request feedback.
The in-person immersion builds on students’ online relationships, facilitating face-to-face engagements that promote deeper interpersonal relationships. During the immersion, students connect in formal, interactive learning sessions and informal gatherings.
UT MS SCM Online Class of ’22 student Russel McLendon notes: “I really enjoyed the immersion… The ability to come in and tour the school you’re getting your degree from, meet the professors in person, and get immersed in UT’s culture—it made you feel like you were part of the school, not another number. To me, that was a big win..”
Seizing the Full Potential of Your Supply Chain Education
Students attending the UT MS SCM Online in-person immersion bolster their online education with practical skills and deepened knowledge. They also build robust professional networks that enhance their learning experience and prepare them for significant advancement in the supply chain industry.
Are you considering earning your master’s in supply chain management from UT? Visit the program page or contact the admissions team to learn more about the program and the in-person immersion experience. Or, if you’re ready, start your application now.