How Identity Has Influenced an NPI Global Supply Manager's Career in Technology
Kyle's significant career lesson involved discovering a passion for supply chain management through a rotational program, which allowed exploration of "different locations, different industries, and different functions," ultimately helping hone in on a preferred career path; the program provided "enough substance" to feel like a respected employee rather than a "glorified intern."
Supply Chain Management, Rotational Programs, Entry-Level Positions, Career Exploration, Industry Insights
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Kyle Worth
NPI Global Supply Manager
Fortune 100 Technology Company
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey
Industrial, Supply Chain Management
Technology
Operations and Project Management
Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Numerous entry-level positions exist in supply chain management, including roles in sourcing, manufacturing, operations, quality, material management, and logistics. Analyst and buyer positions are common entry points.
2. Rotational programs offer a valuable way to explore different areas within supply chain management, allowing individuals to gain experience in various functions and industries before specializing.
3. The speaker emphasizes the importance of internships and rotational programs in gaining practical experience and identifying specific career interests within the broad field of supply chain management. These experiences provide a more concrete understanding of the field than a college education alone.
Transcript
What entry-level positions in this field might an undergraduate college student consider?
Supply chain can be huge. You can go into sourcing, manufacturing, operations, quality, material management, or logistics. There are so many different ways to branch out within supply chain, and they all have their own respective entry-level positions.
Many of these roles are analyst positions or in procurement, such as a buyer. My biggest recommendation, and I've mentioned this before, is to look into rotational programs. Supply chain is so broad that you learn about it in college, but you don't always get to apply it.
If you've had internships, you might have already figured out your desired path, like wanting to be a buyer or an operations supervisor on the shop floor. If so, that's great. If not, a rotational program is an excellent way to get a feel for different areas.
My rotations were eight months each, so I felt like a true employee. I didn't feel like a glorified intern, which is a term sometimes used for these programs. The company where I did my rotational program respected me as a full-time employee.
I got to experience different locations, industries, and functions within supply chain. This helped me hone in on what I enjoyed most and the industry I wanted to pursue.