Spotlight Major:
Operations & Supply Chain Management

Get an insiders look at the second event from Anna Gibson, Diversity Programs Specialist at the Monte Ahuja College of Business.

On Thursday, October 24, 2013 from 12:00 – 1:30 PM, students, faculty, staff and business professionals gathered together in the Board Room for the second event in the Career Connection Series. Faculty and staff included Anne Nelson, then Assistant Director of Undergraduate Programs & Academic Advising; Dr. Mary Hrivnak, then Interim Associate Dean of Academic Affairs; Sarah Trask, Academic Advisor; and Dr. Oya Tukel, then Chair of the Operations & Supply Chain Department. Lunch was provided and the Q&A panel discussion got started after I gave an overview of the program and introduced Dr. Tukel.

Dr. Tukel led the panel discussion which gave me an opportunity to take pictures and watch the event unfold. Each panelist introduced themselves by sharing their educational background (half were CSU Alumni), current job position, and brief information about their organization. The panelists were eager to share their insight into the career options for students who major in Operations & Supply Chain Management, linking the major to specific industries and career paths. The panelists talked about their career paths, desired employment skill sets, diversity in the workplace, and building a well-rounded foundation for career success. 

The students were drawn into the conversation, so much so that the panel discussion went until almost 1:30 PM. With frequent questions from students in the audience, the panel discussion became an interactive conversation between the panelists, Dr. Tukel and the students. After the Q&A panel discussion was over, the panelists spent some time talking to students one-on-one.

Surveys taken during the event revealed that the students who attended:

1. Have a better understanding about possible career options and employment skills necessary for this major.
2. Found that the Q&A panel discussion was useful in learning more about this major.
3. Indicated that they want to learn more about this major.
4. Now know more about diversity in the workplace than before attending.
5. Plan to attend one or more future events in the series.

Thank you to all the students, faculty, staff and business professionals who attended! I am excited to see both new and familiar faces at the next event in the series, Spotlight Major: Marketing and International Business, on Thursday, January 30, 2014.

Panelist:

Photos: