NC State MBA candidate forges a career path with the help of Sourcing Industry Group

For second-year full-time MBA student Priyanka Sharma, an outreach on behalf of the Jenkins MBA Supply Chain Club to Dawn Evans, CEO of Sourcing Industry Group (SIG) jumpstarted a professional relationship that led to a summer internship and an invaluable learning experience that continues today.

“My connection with SIG started with a Google Hangout with Dawn Tiura, CEO of SIG. As vice president of the Supply Chain Club, I wanted to leverage the existing relationship between SIG and our own Supply Chain Resource Cooperative (SCRC). Dawn is an excellent speaker and is one of the top female supply chain leaders. I showed my interest for a summer internship and after going through interview process, I got the opportunity to complete my internship directly under Dawn,” said Sharma.

SIG is a membership organization that provides thought leadership and networking opportunities to executives in sourcing, procurement and outsourcing from Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies. Over its 24-year history, SIG has created a unique model that blends practitioners, service providers and advisory firms in a non-commercial environment.

Thanks to the partnership between SIG and the SCRC, and support from the Jenkins Career Management Center, nine Poole College of Management students represented NC State at the March 2015 SIG Global Executive Summit in Amelia Island, FL. More recently, Sharma attended the October 2015 SIG Global Executive Summit in Huntington Beach, CA and a more intimate November 2015 Regional Roundtable in Raleigh, NC.

Sharma describes her experiences:

Internship 

“I completed two summer internships. I initially started as an MBA intern with SIG in Fernandina Beach, FL. I worked on the data analytic modules for an online certification program for executive level procurement certifications. After taking into consideration my consulting background and interest in procurement, Dawn connected me with a SIG member company to work on a client-facing management consulting assignment at St.Louis, MO. I worked as a management consulting intern with Denali Consulting to analyze the contracting and procurement model of a $6.5 billion group purchasing organization. I worked in St. Louis Monday through Friday and traveled to Fernandina Beach, FL on weekends, where I was worked for SIG University, the arm of SIG that creates certification programs.”

SIG Summit

“Following my summer internship, I was continuously in touch with my team at SIG and they invited me to attend the SIG Global Executive Summit, held October 27-29, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach.  There I got to know many MBA and Ph.D. students from Michigan State University, Arizona State University and the University of San Diego. I attended more than 15 sessions in three days and had the opportunity to sit and discuss about latest trends in procurement. I heard inside stories on how executives negotiate in difficult situations. I was able to listen buyers’ as well as sellers’ perspectives. Sessions featured executives from brands like Nike, Kimberly Clark and IBM. Because as NC State Jenkins MBA students we have so much direct industry exposure through practicum courses, I was well prepared to absorb and connect with the content.”

SIG took an opportunity to videotape my reflections of the Summit:

Regional Round-table

“After my great experience at SIG Summit, I wanted to attend the next regional event, which happened to be in Raleigh. I connected with the SCRC to show my interest, and they supported me by registering me for the event.  Overall, my experience with SIG is extremely valuable and I am thankful to NC State and the SCRC for the chance to continually learn from this phenomenal organization.”