While I attended W.P. Carey for my undergrad I received degrees in both Finance and Supply Chain Management. I believe I ended up taking a non-conventional route as most supply chain students working in the SCM technology space vs actually within the supply chain. While at ASU, I had the opportunity to work at JDA Software, a large supply chain technology firm, in Scottsdale. In this role, I gained my first experience in customer-facing software sales. Here I found a passion for helping practitioners (demand planners, allocators, buyers, merchandisers, etc) utilize AI/ML within their advanced planning system. This experience allowed me to pivot my career into helping enterprises understand and adopt the most advanced ways to forecast and replenish goods in the world. Andrew Hoiby B.S. Supply Chain Management, B.S. Finance 2021
Narrowing down my focus within Supply Chain involved a combination of self-assessment and exploratory learning. Initially, I identified my strengths and interests through self-reflection, considering which aspects of my previous roles I enjoyed most, such as planning, problem-solving, or working with technology. To explore the possibilities within Supply Chain, I gained insights into various specialties like logistics, procurement, and supply chain analytics. I also learned from industry professionals to get a taste of each area's unique challenges and skills. A practical tip for anyone trying to find their niche is to seek internships in different areas of supply chain. These positions offer a hands-on preview of what daily work in each specialty entails, helping you make an informed decision based on your personal satisfaction and professional goals. Bachelor of Science, Microbiology, 2009
As with many professionals, I am still narrowing down my functional area of expertise within supply chain. Going back to school to get an MBA, with a supply chain internship at Raytheon, helped me understand that supply chain and sustainability are intimately woven together. I learned that businesses need skilled procurement professionals with an understanding of the environmental, social, and financial impacts of what they buy. I decided to work for a large company to be able to learn and try out different functional areas and see where my passion leads me. Haley Randell, MSUS, School of Sustainability '15
Throughout my career, I've delved into various dimensions of supply chain, accumulating diverse experiences that have significantly shaped my professional journey. I aspired to gain insights into a vast array of supply chain and held positions working in procurement research, high-tech supply chain research and supply chain data analytics. By cultivating a robust experience early on, I was granted a myriad of insights into the domain, which helped me further tailor my professional interests. Building off my undergraduate internships, part time jobs and supply chain research positions, I transitioned into a full time role, working as a Supply Chain Program manager for product operations at Cisco Systems. This role granted me a thorough understanding of our global supply chain, product design and shipment and the central factors driving our company. In addition to this, I gained exposure to a myriad of cross functional stakeholders amongst Cisco, such as engineering, global supply management and central teams, which strengthened my network and understanding of our business. Reflecting on my journey, I advocate for aspiring supply chain professionals to gain a broad experience in supply chain which they can leverage in a multitude of positions, and further tailor their interest based on activities that ignite energy and align with ones personal career goals and interests. Supply Chain Management & Business Law Class of 2021
Figuring out which area of Supply Chain that you want to pursue for your career involves stepping out of your comfort zone and actively seeking exposure to various departments within the field. Throughout my college and early post-graduation career I have worked within Sustainability, Freight Procurement, Delivery Management, and now Strategic Sourcing. In today's workforce, it is easier to switch jobs or departments within a company due to increased accessibility to different opportunities, evolving skill requirements, and a growing emphasis on flexibility. I have also taken advantage of this accessibility by pursuing stretch opportunities within departments outside of my own. Not only does this offer you exposure to a functional area that you may be interested in, but it is also a great resume builder. By doing these things, I have been able to narrow down the functional area of supply chain that I want to work in to Strategic Sourcing.
Choosing to specialize in customer relationship management within the supply chain was a natural fit for me, combining my interpersonal skills with my interest in operational efficiency. Early in my career, I noticed how significantly the supply chain's success depended on maintaining strong customer relationships. The more I worked with clients, the more I understood the crucial role of integrating customer feedback into the supply chain to improve service and product offerings. I took specific training in customer relationship management and sought roles that allowed me to work closely with clients, using supply chain tools to solve their problems and enhance satisfaction. This specialization not only suited my skills but also proved highly rewarding in terms of career satisfaction and impact.