From Smith to Sparks: Alumnus Kicks Career Into Gear at Tesla

Prabuddh Gupta, MS in Supply Chain Management ’24, chose to embrace his potential after leaving India for the Smith School’s Master’s Degree in Supply Chain Management program. Four years of experience in production planning had given him the technical know-how, but he knew he needed something more: a global perspective and the business acumen to match it.

“I wanted to expand beyond my work in India and learn supply chain on a global scale,” says Gupta. “Smith’s mix of rigorous coursework and industry exposure felt like the right place to grow and challenge myself.”

That leap has since paid off. Just weeks after graduating in December 2024, he landed a coveted role at a Fortune 500 company – Tesla – where he now works as a Production Planner at the Gigafactory in Sparks, Nevada, overseeing the production of drive units and battery packs that power its electric vehicles.

“Smith gave me a well-rounded understanding of how supply chains function globally and how to apply analytics and technology for decision-making,” says Gupta. “Courses in supply chain finance, sustainability, and enterprise systems (like SAP and Oracle) gave me practical skills that I use every day at Tesla.”

That foundation was reinforced through hands-on projects, including a capstone with Fastenal, a leading distributor of industrial and construction supplies, which pushed him to solve complex problems when answers weren’t obvious. 

The project’s focus was on improving inventory management and demand forecasting. The results gave Fastenal a data-driven framework to reduce excess inventory while still meeting customer demand.

“That project prepared me for the ambiguity I now face in a fast-moving industry,” he says.

Support didn’t end in the classroom. Faculty mentorship, career services workshops, and a diverse cohort of peers helped him sharpen both his professional and interpersonal skills. 

“The faculty weren’t just teachers; they were mentors who genuinely cared about our success,” says Gupta.

Beyond technical knowledge, it was his adaptability that carried him forward. 

“Adjusting to a new culture and classroom style was tough at first, especially being far from home,” Gupta says. “But I’ve always believed in stepping out of my comfort zone and staying curious.”

That mindset has fueled both his professional milestones—including being recognized with Panasonic’s Highflyer Award in India, for improving production processes that impacted more than 120,000 units—and his quick transition into Tesla after graduation.

Looking back, he’s most proud of landing a role at Tesla immediately after Smith—a testament to both his determination and the preparation he received. But his sights are set firmly on the future. 

His goals at Tesla include scaling operations sustainably, refining production planning, and eventually stepping into leadership and mentorship roles.

For Gupta, success is deeply rooted in his journey—remembering where he started while striving to lift others as he climbs.

“I’m grateful to the Smith community for shaping me,” he says. “Now I’m excited to give back and support others on their journeys.”