Friday, April 4, 2008
Sam Dean sits through his 9 a.m. introductory business class struggling to keep his eyes open. His professor is explaining the newly added major, Supply Chain Management (SCM). As Dean, Fort Worth, Texas, sophomore, struggles to listen, a few comments catch his attention. When he arrives home, bored with his homework, he decides to Google the major.
As he reads more and more, he realizes that the SCM industry may not be such a bore. He said he was overwhelmed with Web sites regarding the various careers within the field, logistics, consulting, transportation and consumer services management to name a few. Dean begins to question whether finance is the most promising major for him.
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The increase in technology has led to SCM becoming a more integral part of companies. With improvements in the Internet, companies have the ability to monitor all aspects of their supply chain.
Dean has stumbled upon an industry which gets little attention, yet is one of the most lucrative fields in business today. SCM offers some of the most promising careers for undergraduate, entry-level applicants. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, SCM job growth in manufacturing or industrial companies is expected to be between 3 and 9 percent through 2012 and supply chain positions within service industries are expected to grow at an even higher rate.
“The supply chain is the heart and soul of every business,” said Nate Winslow, field human resources representative for YRC Logistics. “One of the areas recognized as a great opportunity is optimizing your supply chain.”
The increase in technology has led to SCM becoming a more integral part of companies. With improvements in the Internet, companies have the ability to monitor all aspects of their supply chain.
“The industry has certainly grown in sophistication with technology,” Winslow said. “Companies are demanding more proficient people in the development and movement of their products.”
The SCM industry also offers some of the most competitive salaries in the business field. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the average starting salary offer for the winter of 2008 is $49,300. That’s 4 percent more than the average salary offer in the winter of 2007. According to NACE, the average is greater than both the industries of finance and accounting.
“It’s one of the highest paying jobs for entry-level applicants and it’s not a job that’s going to go away,” said Michelle Frazier, director of implementation and project management for YRC Logistics. “You will always have to get a product from point A to point B.”
The broad reach of the SCM industry can cause students to question the field, yet it is also an aspect that makes it such a lucrative opportunity. The SCM industry offers titles such as agent, analyst, assistant, specialist or manager, and experience in fields such as transportation, logistics and consulting.
“You must wear a lot of different hats in this industry,” said Doug Houston, director of finance, economics and decision sciences at the University of Kansas. Houston spear-headed the addition of the SCM major at the University.
Added in the fall of 2007, The University of Kansas is one of the only schools in the Midwest to offer the SCM major. Prior to the addition of the major, companies in Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka were forced to recruit from Arizona State, Michigan State or Ohio State. Now companies such as Hallmark, Yellow Freight, YRC Logistics and Spirit AeroSystems are able to save money by recruiting at the University.
“We have never had recruiters more excited,” said David Byrd-Stadler, KU employee relations coordinator. “These companies are able to save time and money. They no longer have to travel great distances to find the students they want.”
The University felt a push from local recruiters for a major in SCM. The faculty proposed the new major two years ago and approved it in the spring of 2008.
With the addition of the new major companies are flocking to the University in hopes of gaining well-trained professionals for their businesses. While the major has only four graduates for the upcoming spring, with the way recruiters are demanding SCM professionals, the future looks promising.
— Edited by Jared Duncan
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