Ashley Kirkland

Senior, Appalachian State University
Major: Business Management
Minor: Supply Chain Management
Treasurer of the Appalachian Supply Chain Club

What led you to the supply chain field?

When supply chain became a new minor on our campus, professors came into different business classes to promote it. They explained the importance of supply chain in every industry and how much and how fast supply chain needs are growing. The supply chain field goes hand in hand with every other business major, so it incorporates many different people. From then on, I became passionate about the supply chain field.

What excites you most about it?

The thing that excites me most is that there is always something new to learn. Each supply chain in every business can be improved and run more efficiently. It is also a very collaborative field.

Marc-Antoine Banderet

Bachelor’s Degree: Supply Chain Management, Carlow Institute of Technology, Ireland, 2013
Master’s Degree: 2015 Candidate, Master of Science in Supply Chain Management and Purchasing, SKEMA Business School

What excites you most about the supply chain discipline?

There is no routine in this discipline. Theories, concepts and technologies are constantly evolving, and  environmental and social issues can suddenly disrupt the supply chain. This is also an exciting area because of its global nature.

What are some of the characteristics that are most important for you in an employer?

It is important for an employer to provide me with a career plan that includes opportunities abroad, and the possibility of switching from one area to another (e.g. production to transport, downstream to upstream) and to evolve regularly. Autonomy in my work is very important to me, but I would also like to have a close relationship with my direct superior in order to get feedback and improve myself.

Stacey Hall

Senior, Appalachian State University
Major: Finance and Banking
Minor: Supply Chain Management
President of the Appalachian Supply Chain Club

What led you to the supply chain field?

My sophomore year, I found out that I had some extra hours that could be completed with a minor. I had heard about the supply chain minor though an adviser who lead me to a professor that explained  the classes and the background of the supply chain field, and I was intent on learning more.

What are you looking for in an employer?

I’m looking for an employer who can give me the training and experience that can’t be learned in the classroom. I don’t want to be pigeonholed into one position. I want to see different aspects of the job from procurement to sourcing to managing.

Sen (Zach) SHENG

Bachelor’s Degree: International Economy and Trade
Master’s Degree: Candidate, Master of Science, Supply Chain Management and Purchasing, SKEMA Business School                                                       

What led you to pursue a degree in Supply Chain?

After I got my bachelor’s degree in International Economy and Trade, I worked for an international trade company in Shanghai for one year. As an assistant of the trade department, I needed to understand fundamental concepts of supply chain. As I learned about supply chain, I found it to be an interesting subject with many job opportunities. So, after one year of working experience, I decided to go abroad for my master’s study in supply chain.

What are some of the characteristics that are most important for you in an employer?

I would like to work for a logistics company that leads its field, is reliable and has a good reputation in environmental practices.