With the supply chain industry in the headlines for all the wrong reasons lately, it might make the idea of choosing it as a career path seem counterintuitive for college students. However, the field still presents excellent opportunities for young professionals and recent graduates. 
One of the primary challenges is that most students are unaware that majoring in supply chain management is even an option. Lori Sisk, automotive supply chain veteran and Assistant Professor at Wayne State University’s Global Supply Chain Management program, is determined to raise awareness and attract young talent. She says it’s essential to “get the word out” to high school and community college students that a program like hers exists — in the Motor City no less.
Themes discussed in this episode: 
The importance of rotational programs to help students understand the many different areas within supply chain
The premium that today’s employers put on understanding data analytics and applying that knowledge to decision-making
The complementary relationship between industry and academia in professional development programs like the one Lori helped develop at the https://www.aiag.org/ (Automotive Industry Action Group) (AIAG)
The increasing desire for flexibility in the workplace among supply chain students and recent graduates
How students tend to defy their own expectations when provided with the right learning and work environments

 https://auto-supply-chain.captivate.fm/24-processes-free-downlaod (At the heart of The Prophets’ vision are “The 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes.” What are they? Find out, and see the future yourself. Click here )
Featured on This Episode: Name: Lori Sisk
Title: Assistant Professor, Wayne State University’s https://ilitchbusiness.wayne.edu/ (Mike Ilitch School of Business); Owner, https://www.acceleratetosuccess.com/ (Accelerate to Success, LLC)
About: Lori is an Assistant Professor at Wayne State University’s Mike Ilitch School of Business in Detroit. She teaches in its Global Supply Chain Management program.
Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-sisk-cpsm-28a2a66/ (LinkedIn) 
Episode HighlightsTimestamp inflection points from the show
[1:50] Multiple vantage points: Two and a half decades of experience across the automotive industry, including roles on the OEM and Tier One side and as a consultant, inform Lori’s work at Wayne State University, where she teaches in its https://ilitchbusiness.wayne.edu/supply-chain/ (Global Supply Chain Management program).    
[3:42] Raising awareness: The biggest challenge Lori and her Wayne State colleagues face is letting students know the school offers a supply chain major and that supply chain is its own distinct career path. Being in Detroit and being passionate industry veterans and educators helps the recruiting effort. 
[5:05] A real-world education: Rotational programs with employers expose Lori’s students to supply chain niches that range from purchasing to logistics to materials management to production planning and give them a practical understanding of each part of the supply chain. 
[6:04] Hot spots: The supply chain areas Lori’s students tend to gravitate towards are purchasing, logistics and consulting.
[7:40] New skills for a changing world: Companies want graduates to have a firm understanding of data analytics and know how to apply them to decision-making. It has become a focus at Wayne State. 


[8:29] Practical experience: As part of a required quality class, students participate in case studies created by industry professionals who are also Wayne State supply chain alumni. These former students come in and answer students’ questions. Top student teams get to present to executives at their companies. 


[11:58] Learning from the pros: Industry mentors (https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-onica-615979/ (Terry Onica) is one) are a key part of Wayne State’s supply...