Challenging the Status Quo
Pedro Colon-Amador’s success lies in his ability to visualize a challenge from different perspectives — especially those that go against the grain.
He calls upon skills he developed in Portland State’s Master of Science in Global Supply Chain Management (MSGSCM) on a daily basis in his current role as director of manufacturing at Meggitt, an aerospace electronic parts supplier. One of the most important things he learned at PSU, he says, was to solicit different viewpoints and change course as needed.
“I would not be in the role I am today without PSU,” Pedro says. “My peers in the MSGSCM program challenged me to approach things differently and consider other options, and this has been integral in my career.”
Pedro is responsible for the day-to-day operations of safety, delivery and productivity at Meggitt’s facility in McMinnville, Oregon.
Making a Real Impact
When selecting a graduate degree program, Pedro wanted a school that was recognized in the supply chain industry and that also offered flexible online coursework. With a program accredited by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) and approved by the International School of Management (ISM), he was confident that PSU would position him well in his field. Its ranking as one of the top online programs only reaffirmed his decision.
“Achieving and maintaining those accolades says a lot about a school,” he says. “PSU has created a program with the right blend of textbook knowledge and real-world experiences, all guided by faculty members who take pride in what they do.”
PSU’s MSGSCM program takes students beyond the textbook and places them directly into real-world scenarios. Just days after learning a new skill or theoretical concept, Pedro was able to put those tools and mindset into practice in projects underway at area businesses. He has applied his learning at OECO to make the supply chain more efficient and drive cultural change across the organization.
Creating a Lifelong Professional Network
At PSU, Pedro was also able to develop a strong network of peers and faculty members who bring diverse viewpoints to the table. It’s an unexpected benefit he encourages current students to take advantage of.
“You never know who you are going to be working with in the future,” he says. “It’s important to build that network now so that you can tap into it down the road.”
Pedro encourages students to be different and bring those ’out-of-left-field’ ideas to the table.
“Ask questions and express your point of view — don’t miss out on the opportunity to get valuable feedback and explore your options.”
Portland State University Graduate Business Blog 