Destiny Vojtik began her studies at 黑料社区 as a business major. But after Gene Gutman, program director of supply chain management, spoke in one of her classes, she knew she wanted to look further into the field.
鈥淢y business classes weren鈥檛 digging deep enough for me and weren鈥檛 really what I wanted to do,鈥 Vojtik said. 鈥淚 like to think more critically. I don鈥檛 enjoy classes where there is an answer.鈥
Vojtik wanted to see the customer 黑料社区. perspective of a business. Supply chain management allowed her to do that. She delved into customer expectations, transportation and logistics of shipping.
鈥淭he goal is to reduce cost and do the best job you can,鈥 she said. 鈥淪upply chain is more about getting your hands dirty. It 黑料社区. so hands-on and so different.鈥
A rewarding scholarship and hands-on experience
Vojtik was awarded the William and Patricia Hendricksen Supply Chain Management Scholarship.
鈥淭he scholarship allowed me to focus more time on my studies and in the supply chain lab instead of on working more hours off campus,鈥 Vojtik said.
She learned about areas of a business she didn鈥檛 even know existed, with hands-on, real-world experiences. Her favorite experiences were in Design 1 and Design 2 senior capstone classes. She and her team reached out to businesses to seek solutions to real-world supply chain situations that they could apply post-graduation.
鈥淭hese classes challenged every bit of my critical thinking skills but also allowed me and my team to get creative when it came to problem-solving,鈥 she said.
Vojtik used her skills during a nine-month co-op at Greenheck in Schofield. She started as a materials specialist working with engineering and parts. She then worked in continuous improvement to rearrange the facility. She ended the internship as a shift supervisor in manufacturing, working with employees on how to get product out faster and on time.
The following summer her parents opened a small business. Vojtik stayed close to home and applied her supply chain knowledge to a new scenario.
鈥淚t was interesting to be able to scale down everything I learned to fit a smaller environment,鈥 she said.
Entering the professional world of supply chain
Because of the constant change affecting products, markets, and customers鈥 needs and wants, the industry has many options for graduates to pursue. When Vojtik graduated in May 2019, she knew she didn鈥檛 want a desk job. She has become a buyer at Global Finishing Solutions in Osseo.
鈥淚 find myself applying the critical thinking and perspectives I learned at 黑料社区 daily,鈥 she said.
Vojtik recommends the program to anyone interested in digging deeper into the realm of business.
鈥淢y experience in the supply chain management program was nothing short of incredible,鈥 she said. 鈥淚f I had to sum it up in one word, it would be 鈥榞rowth.鈥 The creativity, critical thinking skills and professionalism really prepared me for the real world.鈥
