From Fashion to Supply Chain: Degree Helps Graduate Chenxi Feng (MET’25) Connect Career Dots

What motivated you to earn your master’s degree at this point? Why did you choose to fulfill your goal at Metropolitan College?
I come from a design background. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I worked at a fashion company. Back then, I didn’t really know what the term “supply chain” meant. But now, looking back, I realize that a lot of what I was doing was essentially managing the end-to-end supply chain process.

I would start by analyzing market trends to understand the direction of the upcoming season, then coordinate with designers on styles and quantities. After that, I worked with material suppliers to handle procurement, passed the raw materials to the production team, and helped schedule the production timeline. Finally, I arranged the shipping and made sure everything was delivered to the customer on time.

Even though my role started from a design perspective, I gradually realized that what really excited me was the entire process of bringing a product to life from demand to delivery. That experience helped me understand where my strengths and interests truly lie, and it eventually led me to pursue formal studies in supply chain management so I can build a long-term career in this field.

BU MET was the only school I applied to. I started with the location. I knew I wanted to be in Boston and then I searched for programs in supply chain management. MET stood out because of its strong curriculum and the Capstone Project for Supply Chain Management (MET AD 804), which gives students the opportunity to work with real companies. That hands-on experience was really important to me. I was also excited to see the BU Decision Science Lab and the kinds of projects they’ve done.

What do you find most fascinating about the discipline of supply chain management? Do you have a particular focus within the broader field?
What really fascinates me about supply chain management is how everything is connected—how one small shift in demand or supply can affect the whole system. I’m especially interested in demand planning because it brings together data analysis, forecasting, and strategy. I love digging into numbers and turning them into something actionable that helps a business run more smoothly and respond faster.

In the future, I hope to grow into a demand-planning role and eventually apply what I’ve learned to start my own business. I want to build something that’s not only efficient but also thoughtful about sustainability and long-term impact.

Congratulations on your high achievement in the Supply Chain Management program and your Award for Excellence in your studies! Looking back, what do you consider to be the main ingredients of your success?
Looking back, I think my success came down to three things.

First, I’ve always been curious and eager to learn—not just the theory, but how things actually work in real life. That mindset kept me motivated throughout the program.

Second, I tried to apply what I learned right away through hands-on projects—like our capstone with the hospital, and especially the sustainability research project where we evaluated chemical inventory practices across BU labs. Working on something that could lead to greener, more efficient systems made the learning feel even more meaningful.

And lastly, I had a really supportive environment. My professors challenged me to think critically, and my classmates made the experience collaborative and inspiring.

Is there a particular course or project that enhanced your experience in the Supply Chain Management program? Please explain.
Two standout projects significantly shaped my experience in the MS in Supply Chain Management program. First, the Capstone Project for Supply Chain Management (MET AD 804), with Newton-Wellesley Hospital, allowed me to engage directly with healthcare professionals to improve technician workflows. We applied Lean methods and time-tracking analysis to identify inefficiencies, which made the work feel highly impactful and real-world. Second, my research project on sustainable chemical inventory practices at Boston University deepened my understanding of green procurement, regulatory constraints, and the importance of stakeholder alignment in academic settings. These two very different environments helped me build a broad, adaptable skillset.

In addition, the Negotiations and Organizational Conflict Resolution (MET AD 725) course taught by Lecturer Anthoney Ganci helped me strengthen soft skills that were essential in both projects, especially in managing expectations, finding common ground, and presenting recommendations in a way that builds buy-in across departments. It was the combination of technical problem-solving and interpersonal strategy that made the learning experience truly complete for me.

You were recognized by faculty and peers for your hard work and dedication to the Supply Chain Management program. What “words of advice” or encouragement have served as a guiding principle, or simply inspiration, for you? Any words of wisdom you would like to pass along to students starting in the program?
Just stay curious, keep showing up, and don’t be afraid to try new things, even if you’re unsure at first. Some of my most meaningful learning came from moments when I was challenged. For anyone starting the program, I’d say: explore different areas, apply what you learn in real-life situations, and lean on your professors and classmates—they can be a huge source of inspiration and support.

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