First student finds success through Supply Chain Management degree

February 23, 2022

By Christi Mays

“Think about how that UMHB t-shirt you’re wearing got here,” Dr. Ken Smith often asks the incoming freshmen to get them thinking about how supply chain management works. “We sit down at our computers and push a button and BOOM, our package with a t-shirt shows up the next day. But nobody has any idea what’s behind that, and it’s kind of mindboggling to think everything that has gone into place to make that t-shirt show up at your doorstep.”

He goes on to ask another question: “How many people are involved in making your shirt?” From the farmer to the cotton gin to the fabric producer to the garment manufacturer—the process is lengthy, but still not finished. It also has to be dyed, then imprinted with the UMHB logo. And all this happens before the shirt even leaves Bangladesh or wherever it’s made! Needless to say, it’s still a long way from the UMHB Campus Store at that point, and somebody has to manage that entire process.

NOT A NEW CONCEPT

This is where supply chain management comes in. Supply chain management isn’t a new concept; it’s just one that not many people think about. That is until recently. With news of global challenges the supply chain has faced over the last year, massive numbers of cargo ships have been seen in the news, backed up at ports, thanks in part to labor shortages. And, who can forget the infamous toilet paper shortage during COVID-19? Both problems were part of a worldwide breakdown in the supply chain.

It couldn’t be a more appropriate time for UMHB to announce the first graduate of its new supply chain management program—Madison Warner '21. With more than eight job offers before she walked across the stage on Dec. 3, Madison is proof that employers highly covet those with the skills to keep trucks rolling, cargo ships sailing, and planes flying to deliver goods on time.

ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES

According to figures from researchers at the University of Washington, the average job search time for college graduates is six months. While looking at all the various supply chain jobs available, Madison interviewed with around 20 or 30 companies, was flown out of state multiple times to interview, and had offers ranging in pay from $55,000 to $80,000. She ended up accepting a management position with Amazon and will be in charge of 50 to 200 associates in an air hub right outside of Fort Worth.

“I have always wanted to be a part of something much bigger than me,” said Madison, who also majored in international business. “Supply chain management is so needed and can make such a huge impact on businesses. Whether you work with a small, nonprofit organization, or one as large as Amazon, you can make a difference in whatever pathway you choose. That was very important to me.”

At Amazon, Madison said her primary job will be coaching and developing her team, which distributes goods onto planes. She will also support OSHA compliance and implement safety programs to ensure a safe work environment and establish performance goals and targets.

“I’m very logistically minded and analytical, so this is a good fit for me,” she said.

Madison first learned about supply chain management in one of her intro business classes.

“I don’t think a lot of people knew what it was because I didn’t even get a real sense of it until Dr. (Terry) Fox started talking to us about it,” she said.

HERE TO STAY

Dr. Pat Jaska, a professor who teaches supply chain management classes, said many people think supply chain is warehousing or working at distribution centers, like the Walmart, McLane, or Wilson Art distribution centers in Temple. He said with a degree in supply chain management, the job options are endless. Graduates can work as demand planners, supply chain analysts, logistics analysts, materials managers, inventory analysts, purchasing and procurement analysts, and more.

Even with all the news about robotic automation and drone deliveries, Jaska said demand for supply chain management will never decline.

“I don’t care what you do or how much technology you have, you still are going to have to have people,” he said. “Most people don’t go to somebody’s vegetable garden to get some vegetables; we go to the grocery store. When you go to fill up your vehicle with gasoline, how does that get to you?” he said. “Supply chain is everywhere. When the supply chain has a hiccup, it’s felt all the way through the system. We have to have people who can solve the problems in supply chain.”

Smith said when the business school began looking to add new degree plans a few years ago, they solicited input from area businesses. With Belton and Temple strategically located on the I35 corridor and a prime location for several major distribution centers, offering a degree in supply chain management became a no-brainer.

“It made sense because we could partner with a whole lot of local companies to do internships for mentoring assignments and take students to see what these operations look like,” Smith said. “These companies gave us a lot of good input on the kinds of things they would like to see in our curriculum and the benefits they would get from having students engaged in these programs. There’s been great community support for the major.”

As for Madison, she is excited to be graduating as the first student with a supply chain management degree.

“I always wanted to set a good pathway, knowing that what internship I got really mattered, what job I got really mattered,” she said. “This is a huge deal, and I’m happy I chose this path.”

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First student finds success through Supply Chain Management degree

February 23, 2022

NOT A NEW CONCEPT

ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES

HERE TO STAY

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