DETROIT – Morgan Putnam knew she wanted something bigger.
Coming from a small town, she set her sights on Detroit and Wayne State University’s Mike Ilitch School of Business, determined to carve a path in supply chain management. Four years later, Putnam is not just a soon-to-be graduate – she is a testament to the power of experiential learning and career readiness.
On February 14, she shared her journey during the Wayne State Board of Governors meeting at the Integrative Biosciences Center, highlighting how the university’s College-to-Career initiative helped her land a full-time position with General Motors (GM).
“I’ve always had big dreams,” Putnam told those at the meeting. “Wayne State has given me the resources and support to turn those dreams into reality.”
Putnam’s journey has been shaped by a mix of classroom learning, student involvement, and hands-on experience. Early on, she immersed herself in organizations like Wayne Women in Business and the Global Supply Chain Management Student Association. Her leadership roles helped her build professional skills, from networking to cold calling potential employers.
Her real-world education began with an internship at Oakland Community Health Network, where she learned business and communication fundamentals. From there, she landed a co-op with Toyota, working on interior and exterior trim components.
But Putnam, who graduated from Lapeer High School in 2021, was not done exploring.
“I loved the automotive industry, but I wanted to challenge myself,” she said.
That challenge came in the form of a summer internship with PepsiCo in Chicago. Putnam moved to the Windy City alone, navigating public transportation for the first time while managing supply chain operations for the beverage giant. The experience broadened her perspective, but ultimately, her heart remained in the Motor City.
Virginia Kleist, Ph.D., dean of the Ilitch School, said Putnam’s experience is exemplary of Wayne State’s College-to-Career initiative, emphasizing how the institution’s structured approach helps students build professional momentum.
“Morgan’s success is the result of her own hard work combined with strategic career sequencing – starting with early internships and progressively building her skills,” Kleist said. “She took advantage of every opportunity, from career coaching to networking events. That is exactly how we work together with our students to help them to land great jobs.”
Wayne State’s career support system played a critical role in Putnam’s decision-making. As a first-generation college student, she leaned on Susan Crowley, the director of the Corporate Mentoring Program and the Career Services team, to help navigate her path. When she received full-time offers from both PepsiCo and GM, she carefully considered where she would be happiest and most successful after she graduates this May.
Ultimately, Putnam chose GM, where she will begin in July. She’ll start her career in the Global Purchasing and Supply Chain Track Program, a two-year rotational experience that will expose her to different areas of global purchasing and supply chain.
Laurie M. Lauzon Clabo, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, highlighted Putnam’s story as an example of Wayne State’s commitment to workforce readiness.
“A Wayne State education prepares the next generation of professionals with the confidence and skills needed for a long, successful career,” Clabo said. “Morgan exemplifies what is possible when education is paired with hands-on learning.”
As she prepares to start her career, Putnam hopes to inspire future students to embrace every opportunity Wayne State offers.
“Be a sponge,” she advised. “Take it all in. The experiences, the connections, the mentorship. It all adds up to something incredible.”