Logistic Career Path

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Logistic Career Path

Logistics is a booming industry. It’s the backbone of global trade and commerce, and it’s one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Logisticians work on both sides of the supply chain: buyers, sellers, and traders for manufacturers and retailers; or as shippers, warehouse managers, or freight brokers for importers and exporters. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be plenty more jobs for logisticians in the coming time.

The following article provides some information about how to successfully enter this exciting field!

1. What Do Logisticians Do?

As a logistician, you will be responsible for the following tasks:

  • Manage the life cycle of a product, from design through disposal.
  • Control the distribution of materials, suppliers, and goods.
  • Establish commercial partnerships with suppliers and customers.
  • Recognize the needs of your clients and how to address them.
  • Examine logistical functions and find opportunities for enhancement.
  • Propose ideas for reducing the cost or length of time required to move products.

Logisticians are in charge of purchasing, shipping, inventory, and warehousing. They may direct the flow of a variety of items, persons, or supplies, ranging from everyday consumer goods to military supplies and personnel.

Logisticians use software systems to plan and track goods’ movement. They run software programs specifically designed to manage logistical operations, including procurement, inventory management, and other supply chain planning and management systems.

2. Educational Requirements to Become a Logistician

In order to become a Logistician, a Master’s degree in Logistics Management is required. Becoming a Logistics Manager or Warehouse Manager, a Bachelor’s degree or Associate’s degree in Logistics is needed. Along with the educational requirements to become a logistician, experience and certifications are important as well.

3. Top Colleges to Gain a Degree in Logistic

Logistics College Degree Programs are offered at many colleges around the country, which provide an opportunity to learn about logistics from every angle imaginable, including business management skills like finance, marketing strategy tactics such as social media marketing strategies, technology expertise like programming languages like C++ or Java, and the ins and outs of global transportation systems.

It is important to find a school that can offer a well-rounded education while also providing access to top-notch industry resources like professors who have worked in the field, professional mentors, and internships. There are many colleges that offer degrees in logistics. Some colleges have more specific programs, while others have a general business degree.

Below are some of the best colleges that you can consider to pursue your higher education in the logistic:

  • Northwood University
  • Boise State University
  • Elmhurst College
  • Albrecht College of Business and Engineering at Baker University
  • California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
  • Michigan Technological University
  • Penn State University
  • Rochester Institute of Technology
  • Texas A&M University
  • University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
  • Washington State University

4. The Highest Paying Job in Logistics

In order to become a logistician who earns over $60K annually, you should have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with courses related to business administration or economics. You’ll need to gain at least three years of experience in the industry, which may include internships or summer jobs. Some employers prefer hiring candidates with graduate degrees when there are openings at senior levels for supervisors or managers.

Please have a look at some of the highest paying jobs in logistics:

  • Freight Broker
  • Logistics Analyst
  • Transportation Specialist
  • Operations Analyst
  • Transportation Scheduler
  • Traffic Manager

5. Is Logistics a Good Career?

Logistics may not be what you think of as a glamorous career, but if you love the idea of managing the movement of goods through an increasingly globalized world with plenty of opportunities for travel, it’s worth considering.

If you’re prepared to put in the hard work and the long hours, this is a very fruitful career. For those who love international trade and traveling, it can be a great fit. Logistics managers often travel to other countries on business, which makes this industry such an appealing potential career for many people.

It’s also something that requires a considerable amount of skill and knowledge, so it’s not a job for just anyone. But if you have what it takes, a career in logistics can be very rewarding.

6. How to Start a Career in Logistics?

A career in logistics can be a rewarding and challenging experience. If you’re interested in starting a career in this exciting industry, follow these steps:

1. Research the logistics industry. Learn what logisticians do and what kind of skills and training you need.

2. Enroll in a degree or certification program in logistics or transportation management.

3. Get experience in the field by working as a buyer, seller, or trader for a manufacturing or retail company; or as a shipper, warehouse manager, or freight broker for an importer or exporter.

4. Advance your career by pursuing a degree or certification in supply chain management, business administration, or another related field.

5. Stay up to date on industry trends and developments by reading trade magazines, attending conferences, and networking with other professionals in the field.

7. What is the Salary of a Logistician?

The median wage for a logistician is about $44,000. However, with experience, this number can easily grow. Logisticians can be paid either hourly or through salary. Hourly wages are typically lower than what is offered to those who work on salary since they do not have any bonuses or overtime pay.

8. What Degree is Needed for Logistics?

You could use your bachelor’s degree from an accredited university if you want to spend time working with smaller companies that don’t have formalized education programs. You could also go back to school again to get a master’s or doctorate.

You could find work as a mid-level administrator or supervisor of logistics, and you could also use your bachelor’s degree to become an operations manager if the company you’re working for has plenty of resources and manpower available. A master’s degree would make it easier to climb the corporate ladder and become a team leader or project manager with more responsibility.

Doctorate degrees in business, engineering, or management could lead to a career as a chief executive officer or president of a logistics company. You would need plenty of experience and management skills to handle the overall operations of a multimillion-dollar company.

9. Industries Where You Can Work as a Logistics Professional

Here are some common places where logistic professionals might work:

  • Manufacturing
  • Retail
  • Forests and logging industries (forestry)
  • Trucking industry
  • Railroads
  • Airfreight includes airlines, airports, and cargo handling facilities.
  • Shipping industry (ocean, air, and ground)
  • Utility companies
  • Hospitals/healthcare companies
  • Government agencies (i.e., customs)

10. What Are Some of the Essential Skills That Logisticians Must Have?

Logisticians are an essential part of the supply chain. They’re responsible for just about every step, from buying and selling goods to managing inventories. Logisticians often have more than one skill that’s vital to their work, but there are a few skills that nearly all logisticians need in order to be successful. Here are some of the most important skills you’ll need if you want to work in this field well:

1. An analytical mind (a quantitative background in the field of math or science)

2. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (through all levels in an organization)

3. Detail-oriented and thorough (to track and manage shipments, orders, and inventory)

4. Technical skills (to work with different computer programs)

5. Creative problem-solving skills (to come up with new, efficient solutions to issues)

6. Ability to multitask and prioritize

7. Flexible demeanor (able to adjust quickly in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment)

8. An understanding of global trade and commerce

9. Knowledge of the transportation industry

10. Strong work ethic and commitment to excellence

11. Is Logistics a Stable Job?

Logistics is stable because it has such a wide variety of roles available with many different employers who are always looking for new talent to grow their company with them into a success!

There are many different qualifications that can be acquired, but the most recognized qualification has a Bachelor’s Degree in Logistics. This type of education will open up more career possibilities within logistics management.

Conclusion

It’s obvious that today’s society is becoming more and more globalized, which means the demand for logistics professionals will only increase. If you have a love of numbers and working with logistics, this might be a good career path for you. Thanks for reading the article.

About the author

Indu has been educator since last 10 years. She can find all kind of scholarship opportunities in the USA and beyond. She also teach college courses online to help students become better. She is one of the very rare scholarship administrator and her work is amazing.