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Career Services Center (CSC)

Logistics and Transportation

What can I do with this major?

Area

Employer

Information/Strategies

Manufacturing

  • Purchasing
  • Operations Management
  • Distribution
  • Inventory/Materials Management
  • Warehouse Operations
  • Systems Management
  • Customer Service
  • Rate Analysis
  • Performance Analysis
  • Manufacturers of:
    • Industrial goods
    • Consumer goods
  • Many entry-level positions as analysts, management trainees, or first line supervisors are available with manufacturers.
  • Develop strong analytical skills and a logical approach to problem solving.
  • Take additional courses in statistics and computer systems.
  • Learn to communicate with different types of people across different functional areas.
  • Complete an internship in a manufacturing environment.

Merchandising

  • Purchasing
  • Distribution
  • Inventory Management
  • Warehouse Operations
  • Systems Management
  • Supplier Sourcing
  • Customer Service
  • Performance Analysis
  • Retailers
  • Wholesalers
  • Distributors
  • Many entry-level positions as analysts, management trainees, or first line supervisors are available with merchandisers.
  • Develop strong analytical skills and a logical approach to problem solving.
  • Take additional courses in statistics and computer systems.
  • Gain experience through an internship with a retailer.
  • Get involved in student organizations and seek positions of leadership.

Service Institutions

  • Purchasing
  • Operations
  • Systems Management
  • Customer Service
  • Service institutions including:
    • Banks
    • Financial institutions
    • Hospitals
    • Educational institutions
  • Develop skills with computers and information technology.
  • Learn to communicate well with others.
  • Complete an internship in logistics to gain relevant experience.

Transportation

  • Rate Analysis
  • Systems Management
  • Transportation Management
  • Traffic Management
  • Dispatching
  • Sales
  • Customer Service
  • Freight and passenger carriers including:
    • Aviation
    • Rail
    • Trucking
  • Shipping companies
  • Transportation companies
  • Develop strong computer and analytical skills.
  • Learn to work well and communicate with different types of people.
  • Be willing to start in a hands-on position, such as a loading dock supervisor for a trucking company. This allows employees to learn the business from the bottom up.

Third Party Logistics

  • Analysis
  • Demand Forecasting
  • Sales
  • Customer Service
  • Systems Management
  • Warehouse Operations
  • Dispatching
  • Warehousers
  • Dedicated carriers
  • Forwarders
  • Third party logistics firms
  • Warehousers
  • Dedicated carriers
  • Forwarders
  • Third party logistics firms

Government

  • Purchasing
  • Inventory/Materials Management
  • Systems Management
  • State and local agencies
  • Government agencies including:
    • Department of Transportation
    • Armed Forces
  • Develop a well-rounded background in business.
  • Take additional courses in statistics or computer systems to enhance skills.
  • Maintain a high grade point average.
  • Learn the application process for government agencies. Complete a government internship.
  • Consider enrolling in R.O.T.C. if interested in a career with the armed forces.
  • Learn a foreign language.

Consulting

 
  • Consulting firms
  • Learn to work well on a team.
  • Develop strong communication skills, both oral and written. Hone your presentation skills.
  • Complete one or more internships to gain relevant experience in supply chain management.
  • Earn an MBA for advancement into higher positions.

International Opportunities

  • Global Supply Chain Management
  • Purchasing
  • Distribution
  • Inventory Management
  • Warehouse Operations
  • Systems Management
  • Supplier Sourcing
  • Customer Service
  • Performance Analysis
  • Domestic and international companies including:
    • Manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, and distributors
  • Freight and passenger carriers
  • Shipping companies
  • Third party logistic firms
  • Tranportation companies
  • Offshore suppliers
  • International suppliers
  • Government departments
  • Learn about import/export laws.
  • Become familiar with how US Customs and other organizations regulate trade.
  • Cultivate foreign language skills and cultural awareness.
  • Plan to start in domestic positions and work towards international assignments.

General Information and Strategies

  • Majors in logistics, supply chain, transportation, and industrial engineering are particularly helpful to gain entry into this functional area.
  • Gaining experience through part-time and summer jobs or internships is critical.
  • Information technology, analytical, and quantitative skills are particularly important in the logistics and transportation field. Develop these skills through courses and work experience.
  • Many desirable skills can be enhanced through participation in leadership of student organizations.
  • Develop flexibility, negotiation skills, and the ability to make sound decisions.
  • Learn to work well on a team and to work effectively with a wide variety of people.
  • Some organizations may not have a "logistics" department. Look for positions in operations, manufacturing, or marketing.
  • Plan to start searching for internships or jobs four or more months in advance of when you would like to start the position.
  • Develop and utilize a personal network of contacts. Once in a position, find a mentor.
  • Consider earning an MBA after gaining a few years of work experience to reach the highest levels of logistics.