Njeri Warrington ’17 Discusses the Supply Chain Fellows Program

Victor Mullins, associate dean of the undergraduate program at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, recently interviewed  Njeri Warrington,  ’17 to discuss her involvement with Supply Chain Fellows and how it is part of her SMITH JOURNEY.  Successful navigation of the Smith Journey requires involvement with colleagues, professors, professionals, clubs and organizations here at the Smith School, across campus and in the outside “real” world of business. Here is what students are challenged to do in each of their four years at Smith:

Freshmen: “Build Your Brand” through the SmithStart program.

Sophomores: “Pioneer Your Path” to success by focusing on an overall academic and career strategy.

Juniors: ”Command Your Career” to ensure that you are well positioned for your professional journey.

Seniors: “Embrace Your Experience” with an arsenal of tools, knowledge and networks, so that you are able to embrace your experience and celebrate your success.

Dean Mullins: Tell us about your involvement with Supply Chain Fellows. Why did you apply for it and what are you learning? 

Njeri: I applied for the Supply Chain Fellows Program because I wanted to learn more about the strategic decisions that are made in the supply chain industry from an executive level. I also knew that the courses would provide opportunities to network with professionals in different areas of supply chain management, to work on current dilemmas faced in the industry, and to gain more application-based supply chain experience. I’m learning how to think past answers that are currently available but not ideal, and to develop the more efficient solutions that are needed in order to ensure that the supply chain industry as a whole is able to keep up with the ever-changing market.

Dean Mullins:Tell us how your participation in Supply Chain Fellows Program is helping and/or has helped you navigate the Smith journey.

Njeri: My participation in the Supply Chain Fellows Program has helped to shape my Smith journey in terms of opening my eyes to a variety of fields within the industry that I wasn’t even aware of! Supply chain jobs span from ensuring medical kits arrive on time to aid soldiers in the Army, to ensuring the most secure means of transportation are used to deliver Tiffany & Co. products. This impacted my Smith journey by allowing me to know more about the unique supply chain jobs out there. Joining the program has also enabled me to meet new people. I’ve connected with professors, professionals and students who have all impacted my journey at Smith as well. It was a peer from the Supply Chain Fellows Program that made me aware of and encouraged me to apply for the full-time job I accepted at Grant Thornton!

Dean Mullins: Reflect on your other involvements and activities here at Smith that have been a part of the Smith journey.

Njeri: My first experience participating in a Smith activity was being selected to intern in Nicaragua with the Maryland Social Entrepreneur Corps, which works with Smith’s Center for Social Value Creation. I spent eight weeks training women to become social entrepreneurs, providing consulting for small businesses and volunteering. The next summer, I interned in Australia, another of Smith’s study abroad opportunities. A vastly different internship, I had the incredible chance to work under a marketing manager at 3M in Sydney. I most recently took part in South Africa: Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Contemporary South African Context study abroad course. The course was fully immersive in terms of content and culture, imparting me with knowledge I never thought I could gain so quickly. Aside from study abroad programs, I have also been active in diversity initiatives over the past few years at Smith. Having discussions and events centered around the importance of diversity of thought in the classroom and workplace was my favorite part, along with volunteering with minority students in elementary schools.

Dean Mullins: What advice would you give to your fellow Smith peers and community?

Njeri: Get involved as soon as possible! There are so many great opportunities that the Smith School has to offer. Each organization is an opportunity to grow relationships, allowing you to make genuine and lasting connections, and to develop professionally. The resources provided for students in Smith are too good to not take advantage of—use them to the fullest! ***This means don’t just show up at events for free food (I know, it’s hard not to with low points)*** and definitely don’t skip events altogether. If an event interests you, go—they provide networking opportunities, and the chance to get advice from top professionals in their respective industries. Oh, and if you get the chance, study abroad! I’ve done it three times for short-term trips, and wouldn’t trade any of my experiences for anything in the world. Studying abroad creates excellent talking points for interviews, not to mention unparalleled learning experiences that will stick with you for a lifetime. 

Dean Mullins: What is your dream?

Njeri: My dream is to have as large an impact on as many people as I possibly can. It is not a goal with a finite end, which means I never will stop working at it. However, it is a dream that forces me to push myself to be a leader in not only my academics but also in my community, as I believe the cross section between education and empowerment is where communities find improvement. This is why volunteering, creating social impact and learning how I can support social entrepreneurships have always been important passions to me. I might not have found these three passions without the experiences I’ve had here at Smith over the past four years. I can say with confidence that the Smith School has given me the tools I need to accomplish my dream.

Dean Mullins: Why are you passionate about the Smith School?

Njeri: I am passionate about the Smith School because it has allowed me to expand my horizons and grow both personally and professionally. It is a place where I have been encouraged to explore what I want to do and the path I want to take freely. A large number of faculty members have become role models for me over my time here, and friends have become family. I will always be proud to be a Smith Terp!

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Students in one of the Smith School’s many one-year Fellows programs join a cohort of like-minded peers to engage in an intense study of a specific area of business, ranging from major-specific topics such as finance and supply chain to general interests such as sport management or global consulting.

Out-of-the-classroom and reality-based learning experiences are at the forefront of the Fellows programs. Whether through special speakers, workshops, site visits, case competitions, or networking events with corporate partners and Smith alumni, students gain practical insights into the business community. 

Small class sizes in reserved Fellows sections of business courses are a hallmark of all Fellows programs, facilitating strong working relationships among Fellows students and the faculty who advise and teach in the programs. Students engage, explore, and experience the Smith Community through Fellows!

For more information on the 15 unique Fellows Programs available, go to:  Smith Fellows.