Do you excel at keeping things and people organized? Are you good at thinking critically to solve problems? The business world may be the perfect place to put your talents to work. Logisticians work in virtually every industry. They make sure that products, supplies and even personnel are moved as efficiently as possible. These professionals earn double the median salary for all occupations, and they’re currently enjoying double the rate of job growth, as well. To begin your path to this career, you’ll need an undergraduate degree.
The Work of a Logistician
The job title itself might be unfamiliar, but the work of a logistician is crucial to the operations of a wide variety of industries. No matter what a business or organization’s purpose is – making or selling products, providing services, or even moving people – the efficiency of its supply chain will play an important role in its success. Logisticians are the specialists who evaluate and direct the supply chain, or the system used to move resources of all varieties, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). With the help of computer software, they determine how the organization will get, distribute and transport:
- products
- personnel
- supplies
- services
The logistician’s goal is to make the supply chain work as efficiently as possible to reduce waste and increase productivity.
A Logistician’s Education
Technically, an associate’s degree may be enough to get your first logistician job. However, the logistics of managing a supply chain are becoming increasingly more complex. This makes it essential that logisticians develop a greater breadth and depth of skills. Most logisticians have a bachelor’s degree, the BLS reported.
Popular subjects of study among aspiring logisticians include:
- supply chain management
- business
- process engineering
- industrial engineering
Any of these programs will provide the knowledge you need to begin work in the field of logistics, but certain programs are more versatile. Both business and engineering are among the top 10 best majors for indecisive students. These are excellent choices for students who don’t want to limit their potential for future advancement or career switches.
Students who have worked in business or logistics in some form already will have a competitive edge in searching for their first logistician jobs. Another way experienced logisticians can impress potential employers is by obtaining voluntary certification from a professional organization such as the International Society of Logistics or the American Society of Transportation and Logistics.
Conclusion
Logisticians earn a median annual salary of $72,780. Those who work in industries such as the federal government stand to earn even more, according to the BLS. The job outlook for logisticians is good, with the BLS expecting a 22 percent increase in opportunities over the next 10 years. In fact, factors like the high median salary, low unemployment rate of just 1.4 percent and above-average upward mobility have landed logistician on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Business Jobs and 100 Best Jobs lists.
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