Alumnus Akshat Jain “How Networking and Mentorship Shaped My Academic and Professional Success"
KLU can take you far! Discover the career paths and life choices of our KLU Alumni in our new Alumni series. Here, our alumni tell us more about their way after their studies at KLU – and how their time here influenced their future paths. Get to know Akshat Jain (Master, Class of 2022) as he highlights how strategic networking, active involvement in a student club, and valuable mentorship guided his journey from a master's student to a successful supply chain analyst.
Name: Akshat Jain
Degree: MSc in Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Class of 2022
Position, Company: Supply Chain Analyst, Danfoss
Best about my degree program
The Master in Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management was very application-based, focusing on current topics. One of the biggest lessons I learned was adaptability, a crucial skill in today's VUCA world. Networking was another key skill I developed through various university events, which continues to benefit me. At KLU, I connected with senior students who introduced me to postgraduate and leadership development programs offered by various organisations to the Maters graduates. This interaction led me to research about such programs and helped me land my current job. The master's program at KLU is always evolving with market trends and geopolitical changes. Courses like SAP and Data Science kept me up to date with developments and changes to the Supply Chain related tools used by the industry. The faculty, especially my supervisor Prof. Dr. Kai Hoberg and PhD mentor Naghmeh Khosrowabadi, were highly experienced and guided me through my thesis, offering diverse problem-solving perspectives.
Best about my job
During my two-year Leadership Development Program at Danfoss, I had the chance to work with various teams across multiple divisions around the globe. This experience allowed me to collaborate with diverse teams and adapt to different cultures and environments. Each project I undertook added value to the team, and now, as a Supply Chain Analyst, I leverage my learnings and network to tackle critical topics. It's really satisfying to see the improvements in process and productivity from my projects, and it keeps me motivated. My advice to recent graduates and current students is to stay focused and motivated – their perfect opportunity will come. Reflecting on my career and studies, I believe I made the right choices. KLU offers a wealth of courses and an amazing faculty. I'm eager to attend mini-sessions and events organized by KLU and led by professors I didn't get to study with.
How KLU helped me get there
During my time at KLU, I had the chance to work on an interesting topic while doing the Capstone Project, which provided valuable hands-on experience. My active participation in the student club Advisupply, which collaborate with companies to solve real-world problems, further enriched my practical skills. Attending an international university allowed me to understand how people from different parts or the world with different experience view and deal with the same issue. The Career Services & Employer Relations Team helped me to create a CV that met industry standards and included the most relevant information. My advice to students is to identify their strengths and career goals early and choose their master's thesis and subjects accordingly.