From Saunders to L3Harris: A Supply Chain Management Journey

What is great about your co-op?

During my co-op at L3Harris, I had the opportunity to gain experience in material planning, procurement, subcontracts, and supply chain program management, which helped me understand how the different areas of the supply chain work together. I also had a great team of peers who made sure I felt included and involved. They were eager to teach me, answer my questions, and share their knowledge, even while managing their own responsibilities.

One of my favorite parts was gaining hands-on experience with real-world projects instead of only observing. I especially enjoyed being able to connect what I learned in the classroom to actual business challenges. During a Kaizen event, I observed and participated in discussions and contributed to continuous improvement efforts while applying concepts I had learned in my Lean Six Sigma class. I also participated in a separate improvement initiative, where I attended meetings and helped develop a project charter.

In what ways has Saunders/RIT prepared you for the job market?

RIT and Saunders have prepared me for the job market in many ways beyond what I have learned in the classroom. Through career classes, workshops, career fairs, employer events, Career Connect, and tools like Hiration, I have learned how to build a stronger resume, prepare for interviews, communicate my experience, and better understand what employers are looking for. I have also had opportunities to meet employers directly, learn about different companies, and hear what they look for when hiring students. The co-op requirement has been another big part of that preparation because it gave me the opportunity to gain real professional experience before graduating. Between the career resources, employer connections, classroom experience, and co-op program, I feel much more confident and prepared to enter the workforce.

Why did you decide to attend Saunders College of Business at RIT?

I decided to attend Saunders because I wanted to build on the experience I had gained in the Army and turn it into a long-term career in supply chain and business. As a Unit Supply Specialist, I already had experience with logistics, inventory, and accountability, but I came into college with a very basic understanding of how those skills connected to the civilian business world. RIT stood out to me because of its reputation, strong Supply Chain Management program, co-op opportunities, and the support available to students and veterans. I wanted a school where I could do more than earn a degree and actually gain experience, build professional connections, and learn how to use my military background in a different environment. RIT gave me the opportunity to build on what I already knew while also proving to myself that I was capable of doing much more.

What do you feel is the most distinctive advantage gained from your Saunders experience?

The most distinctive advantage I have gained from Saunders is that I have been able to apply what I am learning instead of only reading about it in a textbook. Throughout my program, I have worked on research projects, had the opportunity to work with a real company for my Supply Chain Management capstone, and completed projects in different classes that challenged me to use what I was learning in realistic situations. At the same time, I have had professors who give meaningful feedback, an academic advisor who has supported me throughout my program, and access to resources that have helped me grow both academically and professionally. That combination has been especially important to me because I came from a military background and had to learn how to adapt my experience to the civilian business environment. Saunders has helped me take the logistics background I came in with and deve lop it into a much broader understanding of supply chain and business, while also giving me more confidence in what I can contribute.

RIT opened doors for me, but Saunders gave me the skills and confidence to walk through them.

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