Hands-On Learning: Future Supply Chain Leaders Visit Southern California Hub

Supply Chain Management Students Gain Real-World Insights at Distribution Center

A Southern California distribution center recently hosted Cal State Long Beach students, providing them with a firsthand look at supply chain operations. This early October field trip explained to students how goods from overseas reach their final destinations. This was a great opportunity for students who want to pursue a career in logistics.

Fourth-year student Elena Watson emphasized the value of experiencing classroom concepts in real life, noting how important it is to hear industry jargon in context. Students realized that paying attention in class is crucial for applying knowledge in the real world. Students who are studying supply chain management at the Beach will benefit from this tour and the initiative also aligns with the College of Business's ongoing efforts to expand undergraduate instruction in the field during its third year.

Industry representatives on the college’s Operations and Supply Chain Management Advisory Board have shared insights on new faculty hires and course additions. Associate Professor Jessica Robinson, who has been instrumental in revamping the undergraduate program, joined the early October tour.  Advisory board chair Frank Thompson praised her efforts in refreshing the curriculum, noting that she solicited feedback from the board to identify enhancement opportunities and personally developed the new course. These updates would better prepare students for the evolving skills required in the professional community and enhance their appeal during the recruitment process.

These changes would also help differentiate the OSCM program at CSULB from its peers. The Frank and Elsa Thompson Endowed Scholarship, which benefits upper-level undergraduates working while pursuing the supply chain management option in their Bachelor of Science in Business Administration will also help the students to excel in their careers. The Maersk distribution center in Mira Loma, Riverside County, hosted the visiting students. Spanning 650,000 square feet, almost five-and-a-half times the size of the Walter Pyramid, it specializes in transporting imported shoes and other goods for e-commerce, retail, and warehousing customers.

Fourth-year student Baron Hayes, a member of the SAM events committee, highlighted his appreciation for teamwork, stating that everyone was focused on their tasks while relying on each other to complete their jobs. At the beginning of the tour, students observed and learned about how staff stock, pick, repack, and label goods, with some items stored in specialized areas before being directed to the shipping side for loading onto delivery trucks.

Fourth-year supply chain management student Francisco Solis-Olivares stated that he values these tours for their ability to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences. He remarked on the facility's organization, noting that it was structured based on customer needs, each with distinct requirements. José Chávez, also a fourth-year business supply chain management student and SAM vice president of corporate relations,  developed an interest in supply chains while working at a grocery store, where he was responsible for signing incoming orders. Chávez expressed his enjoyment in gradually learning the entire process of how products reach his home, starting from sourcing raw materials in another country to shipping them to the port, transferring them to the fulfillment center, and finally arriving at his doorstep.

In 2022, nearly 277,000 individuals were employed in the trade sector in Los Angeles County, representing about 7% of the county's workforce, according to an April report from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. However, the sector has yet to fully recover from the disruptions caused by COVID-19. The California Employment Development Department projects that logisticians, who manage the procurement and distribution of goods, will be highly sought after in Long Beach. This role is expected to grow rapidly among jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree, with a projected 38% increase in Los Angeles County, reaching nearly 8,800 people, and a 43% increase in Orange County, resulting in over 3,400 logisticians.

Maersk emphasizes diversity, collaboration, and continuous learning while engaging with students to prepare the next generation of supply chain professionals. Fred Gilbert, regional head of contract logistics strategy, highlighted their commitment to nurturing talent for the future of global trade. Since fall 2022, the College of Business has expanded its undergraduate supply chain management offerings, increasing courses from three to seven and adding two new faculty members, bringing the total to five.

Undergraduates can now take courses that prepare them for professional project management and Six Sigma certifications. Robinson reflected on her own experience as a student, recognizing the challenge of standing out in a competitive job market. She noted that while joining organizations, taking internships, and volunteering are beneficial, they can be time-consuming alongside other responsibilities.

As a professor, she aimed to enhance students' competitiveness by revising the curriculum. This led her to integrate professional certifications into the coursework, responding to the growing interest in such qualifications.

Editor’s Note:

In an increasingly interconnected world, the role of supply chain management has never been more critical. Students ventured beyond the classroom to engage directly with industry practices at a Southern California distribution center. This hands-on experience not only enhanced their understanding of logistics but also highlighted the dynamic nature of the field. By observing the real-world applications of their studies, students gained invaluable insights that will prepare them for successful careers in supply chain management. 

Skoobuzz believes that such experiential learning is essential in bridging the gap between theory and practice, and also appreciates the efforts of Cal State Long Beach to revise the curriculum to better prepare students for the rapidly changing global marketplace.