Young professionals see supply chain as a good career

What do young professionals think about working in the supply chain field? Why are they attracted to the business? What are they looking for in a career?

These are questions CSCMP, Penske Logistics, and Korn Ferry set out to answer in their bi-annual Young Professionals Survey.

In the fourth edition of the Biannual Young Professionals in Supply Chain Report, the 2023 survey results provide insights on the motivations and perspectives of the next generation of supply chain leaders. It looks into how young supply chain professionals want to develop their careers, how they uncover supply chain jobs, and if they will relocate for the right opportunity.

Key findings

Nearly all respondents agree that the supply chain field is a good career choice, and 96 percent said they are excited to have a career in the supply chain field.

A higher salary and/or better benefits and better development opportunities tied for the No. 1 reason young professionals apply to change jobs. Both typically rank as the top reasons young professionals apply for new positions and often trade places. Salary increased to 21 percent from 17 percent who cited it in 2021. Interestingly, 28 percent of respondents cited salary in the 2016 study.

Nearly all respondents agree that the supply chain field is a good career choice, and 96 percent said they are excited to have a career in the supply chain field. What’s more, 96 percent said they would recommend others consider supply chain as a career.

The top reasons respondents became interested in a supply chain career include the variety of opportunities, the impact of supply chain roles, first-hand exposure/internship roles, etc., the challenging, always changing, fast-paced environment, and/or being passionate about supply chain.

For young professionals, pay and benefits that are competitive with other local companies is the most important factor in an employment opportunity, followed by a positive working relationship with a manager and a work-life balance.

Today’s young professionals said they are more willing to increase their commute for the right job opportunity, with 88 percent saying they are willing or very willing to commute more to align with the right opportunity.

Employees are looking elsewhere in the market at times, especially as it relates to development opportunities, better compensation and benefits, the type of work, or a better location.

The report offered insight into how the next generation of logistics leaders are searching for employment. For those seeking new supply chain-related jobs, they are looking for opportunities online via social media, such as LinkedIn and Facebook (23 percent), online job boards such as Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder and JobsinLogistics (18 percent).