Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2024 graduates.
During his time at the W. P. Carey School of Business, Kapil Bhise excelled inside and outside of the classroom, and prioritized getting involved with the student community.
He served as a member of the Master of Science in Global Logistics leadership board, where he organized events, collaborated with students to resolve academic issues and mentored undergraduate supply chain students through the Supply Chain Management Association.
Bhise also helped facilitate Project Burundi, an organization that bridges the digital divide by providing laptops to needy students in Burundi, Africa, and won third prize in the inaugural Arizona Statewide Business Case Competition.
Bhise, who is graduating this spring with a Master of Science in Global Logistics degree, says these experiences helped him hone his collaboration, communication and problem-solving skills, and he hopes his ASU experience inspires others from similar backgrounds.
“If someone had told me a year ago that I would achieve this level of success, I wouldn't have believed it,” says Bhise, a Spring 2024 Outstanding Graduating Student. “Reflecting on my journey from a rural background in India to excelling at a prestigious business school has been transformative.
“My story is a testament to the power of determination and hard work. I believe sharing it can motivate others to pursue their dreams relentlessly.”
Question: What was your "aha" moment when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?
Answer: I’ve always been fascinated by the logistics of getting products from farm to fork. I became interested in streamlining supply chains through improved planning and execution after learning about the food industry’s supply chain challenges during my undergraduate studies in food engineering. My full-time work experiences further solidified my passion for this field.
Q: What did you learn while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?
A: Integrating sustainability and circular economy principles into modern supply chain strategies surprised me. I decided to pursue this as a career when my classes exposed me to the many opportunities for creating efficient and environmentally conscious supply chains.
Q: Why did you choose ASU?
A: W. P. Carey’s supply chain management program has an excellent reputation, and I was attracted to its cutting-edge curriculum, approachable faculty, industry connections and student diversity. As an international student, I was also attracted to ASU's vibrant campus life and Tempe's great community.
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
A: Senior Associate Dean of Faculty Gopalakrishnan Mohan's Decision Models for Supply Chain Management course profoundly impacted me. He taught us to approach problems systematically using data-driven analysis and optimization techniques, and his passion for the subject and real-world case studies was incredibly insightful. The most important lesson I learned was that we can solve even complex problems with an analytical approach and attention to detail.
Q: What's the best advice for those still in school?
A: Get involved beyond academics by participating in case competitions, joining student clubs and networking with industry professionals. These experiences will sharpen your business skills and give you a competitive edge.
Q: What was your favorite spot on campus for studying, meeting friends, or just thinking about life?
A: McCord Hall’s beautiful study areas were my go-to spots. There's something rejuvenating about being productive while surrounded by like-minded students. I also enjoyed grabbing coffee with friends at the Memorial Union.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I'm actively interviewing for supply chain planner and logistics manager roles in the technology, fast-moving consumer goods and logistics sectors. My long-term goal is to gain experience in strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management on a global scale.
Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?
A: I would invest in sustainable agriculture and food supply chains in developing nations. A significant portion of the world's hunger stems from inefficient farm-to-consumer processes, which lead to tremendous food waste. With more thoughtful planning, storage, transportation and distribution, we could ensure nutritious food reaches the populations that need it most.
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