Why I Chose a Career in Supply Chain Management

“Supply chain? What’s that?”

When I first started college in 2018, that’s all I ever heard when telling people about my major. Most had never heard of it and wondered if it was a brand new field. Fast forward two years, when the pandemic began, and supply chain was in every headline. Now everyone knew what it was. So, if anyone asks now, my answer starts with: “Remember what happened with toilet paper?” It’s always fun to explain because people begin to realize how supply chain plays a role in every facet of their lives. The clothes they wear, the cars they drive, the food they eat, and the list goes on. I still get asked why I chose a career in supply chain management.

Establishing a Supply Chain Career Path

During my last year in high school, I took several personality-based career tests, which led me to business administration. But that was too broad, and I had to narrow down my major. I researched local business programs as I didn’t want to move, and I found a few that seemed promising. Wayne State University’s Mike Ilitch School of Business was high on my list because I wanted to go to school in Detroit, and their supply chain program had been ranked in the top 25 by Gartner that year (UPDATE: they ranked again this year, and even higher on the list!) 

The global supply chain program at Wayne State University is phenomenal. They genuinely care, and the proof is in the success of their students. To fulfill all the business foundation requirements, the Mike Ilitch School of Business requires students to take an introductory class for each major. These requirements allow students to get a feel for each area before deciding on their major. Taking these classes reinforced my interest in supply chain and pushed me to add on Information Systems Management as a second major. Technology is constantly evolving, and utilizing modern systems helps supply chains keep up with the changing environment. Coming from a Gen Z college graduate entering the workforce soon, having technology that’ll make a current process more efficient is essential. The world is changing very quickly and having modern systems is the only way to keep up!

Gaining the Knowledge at Wayne State

I truly enjoyed my time at Wayne State University because of the various resources I had at my disposal and the unwavering support from our faculty. I was on the board of the Global Supply Chain Management Association, where I made tons of connections and got valuable industry exposure through networking receptions, resume workshops, company presentations and more. I was also lucky to be a part of the Mike Ilitch School of Business Corporate Mentor Program, where I matched with Terry Onica of QAD! When I first met with Terry, she asked me what I hoped to get out of this program. I already had a job lined up, so I was eager to use my final year to learn more about supply chain outside the classroom.

Terry utilized her network to set up meetings with various supply chain professionals from Tier 1s to OEMs throughout the year. I had a ton of questions for them and got many insightful answers. These meetings gave me new industry perspectives, and I felt more prepared for my career after college. I also got the opportunity to sit on a strategy meeting during the development of Auto Supply Chain Prophets, a new podcast hosted by my mentor, Terry, along with Cathy Fisher of Quistem and Jan Griffiths of Gravitas Detroit. It was such a great experience, and I learned a lot about what goes into creating a new podcast. Learning supply chain from textbooks is great but hearing real-life examples from industry leaders is even better. If you haven’t already, give it a listen! I’m so grateful to have been a part of the mentorship program because I wouldn’t have gotten these opportunities without it. I highly encourage students and professionals to join programs like this one as it has a lasting impact on young professionals entering the workforce.

Building a Career in Supply Chain Management at Toyota

Last summer, I worked at Toyota North America as Buying Co-Op in Purchasing Supplier Development, where I had the opportunity to work on several projects, including pre-production sourcing. I learned a lot about purchasing, but most importantly, I learned the significance of maintaining good relationships with suppliers. At Toyota, they’re seen as partners rather than vendors, and that makes all the difference. Toyota’s main pillars are “Respect for People” and “Continuous Improvement.” I got to see first-hand how these two principles played a significant role in how the company operated, and I knew that this was the kind of company culture I wanted to be a part of when I graduated. This past September, I was extended a full-time offer at Toyota North America upon graduation, and I started the first week of July. Even with all the chaos, it’s an exciting time to be working in the automotive industry!