At the College of Charleston, new academic programs are introduced almost every year. In recent years, the College has added majors in public health, professional studies and African American Studies, and minors or concentrations in real estate, biomedical physics and energy production. And now, the most recent major – supply chain management – is drawing increased interest from students even though it’s not officially available until next fall.
April Henry, supply chain management major
“This is really the perfect major for me,” says April Henry, a junior from Roanoke, Va. “Business has always been my core interest, and I’ve discovered that supply chain management is the ideal niche within that.”
Henry says that through her courses and an internship experience, “I’ve learned that this field is essentially about the strategies and systems involved in resolving huge, complex problems, and that really intrigues me.”
EXPLORE: Learn more about the new major here.
After one of her professors mentioned a paid internship opportunity in the logistics department at Robert Bosch Corporation, Henry applied, landed the role and has been serving in that capacity for over a year since.
“On a day-to-day basis at Bosch, I’m using software that we’ve studied in class and I’m benefiting from the experience that others around me share. It’s a great combination of mentorship and on-the-job training. I’ve learned about specific systems and procedures, but one broader lesson has been that supply chain management is a boundless field. With this degree, I’ll be able to work in so many different areas whether that’s retail, manufacturing, hospitality, or some other field.”
A particular highlight for Henry was a study abroad course she took in Panama last summer. Led by professors who specialize in logistics and real estate, the course examined the impact of the Panama Canal Extension project.
“It’s amazing what’s happening there right now,” explains Henry. “Manufacturers are relocating and the Panamanian government is offering strong incentives. It’s really a dynamic situation and our professors offered insight into all of it as an in depth case study.”
ARTICLE: South Carolina’s First Undergraduate Program in Supply Chain Management.
Henry says that being among the first group of students to pursue supply chain management as a major is exciting. “There’s tremendous support from the faculty, and Charleston is an ideal place to study this area of business. We’ve got the Port of Charleston, we’ve got numerous foreign corporations here and there are a lot of import export businesses as well, so the opportunities are everywhere.”
One particular opportunity that she took advantage of was a new scholarship offered by Daimler Vans Manufacturing, which not only provides tuition support, but also mentoring possibilities as well.
So where will this new major take Henry? Ultimately, she’s not sure. But she is certain that she’s now developing the knowledge, skills and connections she’ll need to secure a vital role for herself in this rapidly evolving field. Now that’s staying ahead of the curve.
