Not quite sure what “logistics” and “supply chain management” are in the career sense? Many aren’t until they realize this industry’s impact has made on nearly every facet of their modern lives. The logistics sector ensures that goods are available to consumers when and where they need them.

Why Choose Supply Chain Management

Logisticians oversee important phases of a product's life, including allocation, distribution, and delivery. The demand for logistics is currently at an all-time high, so if you hope to find steady and high-paying work, a career as a supply chain professional might be the right choice for you.

Is Supply Chain Management a Good Career?

Careers for supply chain management majors are projected to grow 28% in the next 10 years, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

There are a number of different jobs for supply chain managers, which makes it a good career choice for those looking for a variety of career path options after college graduation. For example, there are positions in manufacturing companies where the supply chain manager oversees production and delivery to make sure everything runs smoothly. In other cases, people with this degree might work as a buyer or procurement manager at a retail store like Walmart or Target.

Detailed below are 10 excellent reasons to pursue a career in logistics and supply chain management.

1. Job growth

Logistics is a rapidly expanding field that experienced growth even in the height of the recession. Now, the field is even more promising, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting a seven percent job growth between 2016 and 2026.

2. High pay

As of May 2021, the median annual pay for a logistician in the United States was $77,030, or $37.03 per hour. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the lowest 10 percent earned less than $45,160, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $122,390.

3. Relatively low barrier to entry

Logistics offers professionals the opportunity to score high-paying work without an advanced degree. Although some roles may require graduate education or other forms of advanced training, most individuals can find work in logistics if they possess a bachelor's degree. A handful of jobs are available to those with associate's degrees, but in general, aspiring logisticians are advised to pursue four years of post-secondary education. You can learn more about earning your operations and supply chain management bachelor's (BSBA) degree or operations and supply chain management MBA degree supply chain degree online from JWU's College of Professional Studies.

4. Opportunities for advancement

Although an advanced degree may not be required by all employers, it can pave the way to rapid career growth. Upper management jobs are plentiful but may require a graduate degree and additional experience .

5. International travel

Some logistics jobs require frequent international travel. Although these trips focus far more on work than sightseeing, they offer an array of opportunities for those eventually hoping to break into the field of international business.

6. Local job availability

Not all aspiring supply chain management professionals hope to travel on a regular basis — many prefer to stay put. This is also possible in logistics, which, despite having a few hotspots, has broad appeal across numerous regions.

7. Industry options

Within the field of logistics, professionals can pursue a specialization in such sub-sectors as wholesaling, warehousing, and postal services. Places of employment also can vary from big corporations, small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, or for local or federal government entities.

8. Abundant internship opportunities

Although logistics and supply chain are growing fields, many aspiring professionals worry about finding their first position. Plenty of stepping stones to entry-level employment are available, including paid internships at companies that may offer jobs to successful interns upon program completion.

9. Development of transferrable skills

Many logisticians remain in the field for decades, but others use the skills they've gained to transition into other fields. Transferrable skills fostered in the field of logistics include forecasting, workflow optimization, general management, analytics, and financial planning.

10. Personal satisfaction

Although steady employment and high pay entice many individuals to find careers in supply chain management, most choose to remain in the field because they find their work rewarding and impactful. In a 2017 report compiled by supply chain management research association APICS, millennials see supply chain management as an opportunity for growth. These surveyed upbeat employees believe in their ability to make a difference in this field while it will provide personal growth and development. In the end, the prospect for a deeply rewarding career should be any prospective logistician's chief reason for pursuing a career in supply chain management.

Interested in a career in supply chain management? Take the next step by earning your BSBA — Operations and Supply Chain Management degree, MBA-Operations and Supply Chain Management or a micro-certificate in foundational operations & supply chain management from JWU. For more information, complete the Request Info form or call 855-JWU-1881.