Another change in supply chain curriculum re ects the shift of supply chains to supply networks, in which a small disruption in one part can have ripple effects across all parts, Modi says. As a result, students need to learn how to identify the critical breaking points. SOFT SKILLS REMAIN CRITICAL Even as employers look for technical expertise, they also want candidates who have strong “soft” skills. At North Carolina State University, for instance, the executive education program on supply chain leadership includes a focus on skills such as the ability to in uence others, communicate effectively, work with teams, and motivate employees. “We hear a lot about these topics,” says Rob Hand eld, executive director of the Supply Chain Resource Cooperative and professor of operations and supply chain management. Greater awareness in business and society of what sometimes is referred to as “the triple bottom line”—or people, planet, and pro t—is also in uencing supply chain education. Sustainability, closed loop supply chains, labor practices, and fair trade are attracting
supply chain programs. Students who’ve studied other languages can nd many opportunities in global supply roles. No matter the background of these new students, all bene t. “They add to the classroom discussion,” David says. At the same time, students who come with a background from outside business or supply chain may need additional exposure not just to supply chain topics, but also to subjects like nance and marketing, Mirchandani says. They might capture this through additional coursework or workshops. ONLINE COURSES, CERTIFICATES Along with changes to supply chain curricula, the ways in which information is delivered are changing as well. One of the most signi cant changes is a greater emphasis on “programs that deliver lot of value in short time,” Modi says. Not everyone can take several years out of the workforce to study in a traditional graduate-level program. Yet, many people want to “upskill themselves,” he says. That’s leading to a range of certi cate and other programs that focus on speci c subjects and offer exibility. In some cases, students can accumulate credits and certi cates that over time lead to a degree. “There’s a trend to small, stackable credentials,” David says. Instead of a years-long graduate program, supply chain professionals may earn one certi cate and then another; eventually, some may be able to convert them to masters credits. Among the new programs added to the University of Pittsburgh over the past few years is a certi cate program in business analytics. Students can complete it in one term, and add it to their master’s in supply chain management, which typically takes two terms. North Carolina State University offers a certi cate program for engineering students who’d like to take supply chain classes. They’re able to combine their technical skills with supply chain challenges.
interest in the corporate world and in supply chain education, David says. As part of this, schools are “diving deeper to understand even more how interconnected we are,” Huscroft says. For instance, transportation management discussions delve into the universe of containers and chassis, along with the population of truckers. Students consider how a shortfall in any of these areas can bring supply networks to halt. Graduate supply chain students are exploring reverse logistics, recycling, and the circular economy, Huscroft says. They might consider how and whether to change product packaging to reduce the amount of material that needs to be recycled or disposed. Diversity is a prominent topic, especially at the graduate level. While many programs have long discussed supplier diversity, they now also focus on ways to modify recruiting practices to build more diverse supply chain workforces, Huscroft says. RIPPED FROMTHE HEADLINES As the subject of supply chains has captured headlines over the past year or two, it has prompted more students from a range of backgrounds to enter
Every January, during MIT’s SCALE Connect Conference, students from all six global SCALE centers get together in Cambridge for three intense weeks of career development workshops. They earn a Certificate in Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management from the MIT Global Scale Network in addition to the master’s in supply chain they receive from their respective institutions.
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