I am Charlotte Robinson, an engineer based in Chicago. I have worked in the transportation sector for the last 8 years and I highly recommend this sector for any young adult seeking employment.

My work consists of organizing and managing many warehouses scattered across Illinois. I keep track of quality, quantity, stock levels, delivery times, and transport costs. Additionally, I am also on the core team that is entrusted to prepare the catalog and plan transportation routes. I am also expected to maintain metrics and compile data in order to present a bi-monthly report to assess productivity and suggest improvements if needed.

Most of my time is actually spent on the phone or on a video call, and the rest is devoted almost fully to making sure that I get timely and accurate updates from those working under me.

On a typical day, my primary responsibility is to maintain a constant channel of communication between those in the boardroom and all the entry-level employees, including both drivers as well as warehouse staff. Maintaining this channel primarily entails the responsibility of double-checking the list of the vehicles and who gets assigned to which one, the routes they will be taking, and the details regarding what is being shipped. My team in the warehouse constantly updates me with said info.

I also work in tandem with the IT Department as all records are digitized and we need to ensure that no discrepancies or omissions occur in the data. Additionally, I am also expected to maintain lists for all the stock being stored in our warehouses across Illinois. This is done by directly coordinating with other logistics managers.

And finally, as I stated, I have to prepare a bi-monthly report to assess productivity and suggest improvements, if needed. This can only be done with the correct use of data analytics, and this is where the issue of the extent of available data arises. Time taken to complete shipping, all positive and negative feedback that is received, the condition of machinery that is in use, any issues that we have faced with regards to regulatory compliances or permits – all such details are needed to prepare an accurate and holistic report on how to improve productivity and create a better working atmosphere. And as mentioned earlier, this cannot be done without the help of our IT Department and their Data Wing. In very simple terms, work is all about ensuring that the collective effort is greater than the sum of our parts.

Pros

The biggest pro is undoubtedly the fact that it teaches you the value of teamwork by providing so many opportunities to give and receive help. Efficient communication and coordination are tantamount to a business such as logistics. There is an unavoidable need to stay in touch with so many different kinds of people scattered across the globe if you wish to run a logistics business smoothly, and the effort that goes into maintaining these lines of communication is an invaluable learning experience. The pay is good and the working conditions are excellent. And it gives you ample free time to sustain a healthy work-life balance.

Cons

The biggest difficulty is obviously the amount of time one will have to devote to sitting in front of a screen, talking to people on the phone, and constantly being available for video calls. Additionally, whatever free time you get away from this routine is mostly spent within the confines of the warehouse or in a board meeting. Some may begin to find the work a bit repetitive after a few months, although that has never been the case for me. And finally, there is the fact that you will have to analyze a very large amount of data. Extreme caution is required to ensure that all figures are correct and that all variables and contingencies are accounted for. This may prove to be a bit stressful at the start of your career in the logistics business.