Those of you who are actively looking for diverse career paths that expose you to constant advancements and opportunities, having a career in supply chain and logistics is one of the most fulfilling options for you. Graduating with a degree in supply chain and logistics will leave you with a plethora of career paths in the future. Let us first begin with understanding what this industry is all about and why this can be the right career option for students.
What is the Supply Chain & Logistics Industry all About?
A typical business is a collaboration of multiple organizations working together to deliver a product to the end user. A supply chain thus is a nexus of these organizations that unite to make the final shipment successful. Supply chain encompasses various areas such as purchasing & sourcing, innovation & product development, manufacturing operations, customer service, global deployment, and logistics.
Logistics is a liaison between the marketing operations and the manufacturing unit of the business. It covers areas like freight transportation, network design, inventory management, etc. Logistics deals with the flow of both material and information. Earlier, organizations used to treat the supply chain and logistics as separate entities, but owing to the rapidly advancing and technology-driven business space, many areas of supply chain and logistics intersect today.
Why Supply Chain & Logistics is the Right Career Option?
As goods and information delivery is an essential part of any business, a career in supply chain and logistics industry is highly beneficial for students. Let us quickly look at some of the merits of having a career in logistics:
- Ample Career Advancement Opportunities
The logistics industry has many roles and levels. Thus, you will never run out of opportunities for career advancement. The logistics organizations always prefer promoting and training internal employees to higher positions instead of hiring a new workforce for the same roles. Promotions are certain, and the hard work truly pays off in this sector. The environment is also conducive to learning and training on the job and has a steady growth curve in terms of career prospects for the employees.
- Many Industry Specialization Options
Since this industry has multiple specialization areas, professionals in the field of logistics can pursue expertise in sub-sectors like warehousing, wholesaling and postal services. Individuals who seek a dynamic work environment can also enjoy working from multiple locations, including the overseas.
- Complete Job Satisfaction
Today millennials are enthusiastically looking for jobs that provide them with the satisfaction of making a difference in the chosen field. A recent survey on supply chain management (SCM) as a career, involving millennials forecast that about 81% millennials believe that they can create a difference in this field along with gaining personal growth. This industry gives you the opportunity to seek this satisfaction.
- Internship Opportunities for Entering this Industry
Despite the rapid development of the logistics and SCM industry, many students are anxious about landing their first job in this sector. There are plenty of paid internships available in companies. There is a high chance of you getting absorbed based on your performance in the same organization after your internship.
Now let us look at some of the most popular degrees and courses that you can undertake to build a career in logistics and SCM.
Degrees and Courses for Logistics and SCM
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- Associate in Logistics and SCM
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Associate degree programs help build students’ foundation in the logistics field. They are perfect for entry-level job profiles in purchasing, distribution and inventory control. Some of the popular institutions providing this degree are the Palo Alto College, Goodwin College, and Albany Technical College.
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- Bachelors in Logistics and SCM Programs
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A bachelor’s degree in logistics and SCM covers logistics, SCM at a global level, transportation, demand planning, forecasting, warehouse operations, procurement processes, manufacturing processes, and inventory management. Universities like Michigan State University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania State University, and Arizona State University offer some of the most popular undergraduate courses in Logistics and SCM.
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- Bachelors in Operations Management
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It familiarizes the students with managerial skills including organization, motivation hiring, and resource development. The top universities that offer this program are the Northwestern University, University of North Carolina, Carnegie Mellon University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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- Bachelors in Project Management
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It focuses on, teaching various techniques for successful project management. It includes skills such as leadership, contracts, scheduling, procurement, planning & organization, and risk management. Students looking for this course can check out the bachelor’s programs offered in North Carolina State University, Portland State University, and the University of Texas at Austin.
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- Masters in Logistics and SCM
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A master’s degree program in logistics and SCM help students land management positions in the private sector, government sector or the military. Some of the top universities for pursuing this program are Virginia Commonwealth University, Indiana University, Purdue University, Indianapolis and the University of Tennessee.
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- Masters In Project Management
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This course for graduates and it polishes them for leading roles in civil engineering, environmental engineering, projects construction and operations. Students interested in this program can go for Boston University, Georgetown University, George Washington University and the University of Texas at Dallas.
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- Masters In Operations Management
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The programs in this course educate students for leadership roles in the technical scenario and global business space. Popular universities that offer this program are Southern New Hampshire University, Columbia University and Florida Institute of Technology.
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- MBA in Project Management
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It is a comprehensive course that prepares the students for corporate management roles by taking their knowledge and skills in logistics and supply chain to managerial level. Salem International University, Southern Illinois University, and DeVry University are some of the top institutions providing MBA courses in project management.
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- DBA in Logistics and SCM
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A DBA program encourages students to pursue professional research-based roles that involve analyzing logistics and SCM. This course is offered in universities like Colorado Technical University, Liberty University, and Capella University.
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- D. in Project Management
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A Ph.D. in project management supports research, training, teaching, consulting and academic careers. The University of Maryland, University of Arkansas and University of South Carolina are some of the popular universities that offer Ph.D. in Project Management this program.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage for logisticians was $74,590 in May 2017 which is equal to $35.86 per hour. Here are some of the most sought-after career options in logistics and SCM along with their average pay off.
| DESIGNATION | SKILLS | APPROXIMATE SALARY RANGE ($) |
| Logistics Manager |
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110k-150k |
| Operations Manager |
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80k-120k |
| Procurement Manager |
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60k-150k |
| Distribution Center Manager |
|
115k-140K |
Logistics and SCM is the brick mortar of most organizations today.
It has been estimated that the logistics sector will create employment for a minimum of 3 million people by 2022. The road freight industry alone will create 1.9 million new jobs. With such a steep growth curve in this sector, it would be a mistake not to explore its career options. If you prefer job roles that include being a part of a network of processes that serves a larger purpose, this career could be the right fit for you.
