Student spotlight: Tao Tao

Wayne State University is widely known as a prime destination for international students wishing to study in the United States and for the outstanding opportunities it offers to students transferring from community college.

Tao Tao has taken full advantage of both of these WSU characteristics. Originally from China, Tao is a transfer student from Macomb Community College (MCC) who is now majoring in global supply chain management in the WSU School of Business.

"The agreement between Wayne State and MCC allows students to transfer up to 82 credit hours to WSU," Tao said. "When I was at MCC, I could meet WSU's advisor on a regular basis. It helped me to ensure taking all the required courses towards to my degree."

Tao was recently invited to speak at the WSU Career Services’ Cooperative Education and Internship Appreciation Luncheon. Tao was invited to speak because of his prestigious internship with Faurecia Interior Systems. Tao works directly with the supply chain manager where he assists in the oversight of 12 plants across the U.S. and Mexico.

During his internship, he was also able to work with big companies like the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) and GM.

"We just started another program with the AIAG and GM last fall about using Materials Management Operations Guideline/Logistics Evaluation (MMOG/LE) as a tool to help our suppliers to improve their business performance," Tao said. "We want to build up a positive supply chain cycle. This should allow us to have a better business relationship with our suppliers and our customers as well as reducing unnecessary costs."

Tao said every student should obtain an internship before graduating from college. "Internships allow us to use all the material that we have learned in class to solve problems in the real world," Tao said. "A degree helps a student to prove their education performance but all these skills: communication, decision making, time management, critical thinking etc., helps us to perform while we are at work."

When he’s not working full time at Faurecia or in his evening classes, Tao enjoys traveling, meeting new friends and trying new foods. He cares for two dogs and one cat, all three are rescued pets. Tao is set to graduate in May 2016 with a B.S. in Global Supply Chain Management.

For more information

Information for Transfer Students

Information for International Students

Information on the Global Supply Chain Management Program

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