Abheek began his career in manufacturing nearly nine years ago. When he decided to strengthen his skillset, he enrolled in Michigan Engineering’s Master of Engineering (MEng) in Manufacturing program. This program allowed him to cultivate a more strategic style of leadership and innovation, making a big impact on his career.
Before coming to the University of Michigan, Abheek had already worked at two different manufacturing companies. But he was ready for the next step.
“I chose this program because of the choice of a capstone project, the overall program duration, world class faculty and the institution’s reputation,” he explained. “You can work on an industry-sponsored project, university research, or even pitch your own idea. That was really intriguing to me.”
Abheek also appreciated the program’s short duration. As a student on campus full time, Abheek completed his degree in 18 months.
Beyond the program’s format, Michigan Engineering’s reputation was key to Abheek’s decision. “The University of Michigan is one of the best in the world. The curriculum is designed to align with industry disruptions and deliver the most relevant skills,” he said.
When it was time to choose a capstone project, Abheek sought an option with real-world applications that aligned with his goals.
“I wanted to explore more of the research side, especially related to academic improvements,” he said. “So I worked with Professor Patrick Hammett on a Design for Six Sigma project. We applied statistical methods and survey tools to develop an online course design evaluation framework for Michigan courses.” Additionally, he was able to analyze behavioral patterns in a healthcare setting during a pandemic adding to his insights.
This was a paid research opportunity that allowed him to dive deep into analytics, hypothesis testing, and a tool-based framework approach. “That experience helped me understand how technical frameworks can be used to solve real-world problems in new domains,” he shared.
Many of Abheek’s peers took a more traditional route, doing their capstone projects through their full-time jobs or internships. The flexibility and options were important to Abheek. He said, “It really depends on your interest. The flexibility is what makes the program so effective.”
One of the highlights of Abheek’s experience was learning with others from different backgrounds—both online and on campus.
“Some of my classmates worked at Ford, GM, Tesla, BCG, Deloitte and other multinational companies,” he said. “I learned so much just from collaborating with them. We came from different backgrounds, but the assignments and group projects brought us together.”
Whether in-person or virtually, students learned from their peers. “Learning from their perspectives, their skills, and their thinking helped me become a more well-rounded professional,” said Abheek.
Since completing the program, Abheek has moved quickly up the ranks at SKF USA Inc., a global leader in bearing manufacturing.
“I started as a business analyst, moved to business consultant, and now I manage Quality operations for the full value chain across the Americas region,” he explained. “The degree enabled me to realize a 360-degree view of the organization’s operations with leadership skills—something I didn’t have before.”
He also earned Lean Six Sigma and Design for Six Sigma Black Belt certifications through the program. “That’s rare. Not many programs offer technical certifications embedded in the curriculum. It really set me apart,” he shared.
When asked what advice he would give incoming students, Abheek didn’t hesitate:
“Have a rough plan. Whether it’s additive manufacturing, digitalization, operations or supply chain—know what you want to explore, and tailor your courses around that,” he said. “You can always adjust, but having a focus will help you get the most out of your time here.”
Abheek also recommended making the most of Michigan’s vast resources.
“You can take courses from across the university—business, policy, even architecture. Mix technical with business. Take full advantage of the Engineering Career Resource Center for career support and you could also apply for academic support positions such as a GSI, TA, RA, not just in engineering, but in other departments too.”
He’s already paid it forward, encouraging others to consider the program. “I’ve recommended it to over 15 people. Everyone’s had a great experience.”
And for those on the fence? Abheek says the program speaks for itself: “It’s the best in the world, It’s tailored. It’s flexible. It gives you the tools to grow in the direction you want. And the alumni network? Huge. You just have to take the first step.”
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