Ivy Stories is a short, occasional feature on Green Light that spotlights current students and/or recent graduates. Ivy Stories will tell a little about why they chose Ivy Tech and their particular program.
First up, we’re featuring Cory Scherer, of Avilla, a supply chain management/logistics student who plans to graduate in May and Ariel Dawson, of Churubusco, a supply chain management/logistics graduate.
Why did you choose Supply Chain?
Scherer: Supply chain management is such an expansive field that has a talent void needing to be filled. As I worked through college to earn my bachelor’s degree, I worked as a supervisor at UPS, and I enjoyed learning the industry. Ultimately, this led to my first attraction in the program—the importance of logistics—but as my course of study continued, I became more interested in lean manufacturing and process control. It is important for future generations to understand just how large a field supply chain management is. Almost every aspect of business is in play to a graduate of Supply Chain Management.
Dawson: I decided on supply chain because it’s the job I held in the Navy. When I enlisted, I just took the first job available to just leave. Turns out, I fell in love with the job. It’s something that seemed to come natural, which I hadn’t felt with any other career path.
How has Supply Chain helped you at work?
Scherer: I have been working full-time at Graphic Packaging International as a student, but my studies at Ivy Tech have enabled me to better understand my internal customers, which provides me better opportunities for advancement.
The associate degree in Supply Chain Management/Logistics has prepared me to ask the right questions when it comes to inventory control and production reporting. The courses I took in lean manufacturing and general logistics have taught me ways to reduce cost in processes and to increase inventory accuracy. Ultimately, the general business management courses have helped me in communications with other departments and their managers.
Dawson: The first that comes to mind is the experience with my instructors and classmates. I’ve learned to be more social and vocal toward people. I’ve learned more discipline with asking for help whenever I can’t figure something out. I’ve also learned more ways to complete tasks and figure things out better with each semester that passes.
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