Po Wong ⋅ Orlando, FL Johnson & Johnson (retired) ⋅ 40 years experience

Hi Rusty,
Thanks for your service!

I am not in Texas but more than happy to have a phone conversation with you on more specific Supply Chain/Logistics questions if appropriate.
If you decide not to stay as a pilot and move to Supply Chain as career, you need to decide what specific area of supply chain/logistic you like to focus on.

Supply Chain/Logistic is a very high level term and depends on specific business. It consists of Business/product Planning, Source to Pay process/system, planning/purchasing process/system, category/Supplier management, warehousing, transportation……

Another suggestion is attend your local Supply Chain/logistic conference to network with attendants. Feel free to contact me!
Good Luck!
Po

Hayley Adolphson ⋅ Peoria, IL Caterpillar ⋅ 7 years experience

Hi Rusty. I sent you a message. Looking forward to hearing back from you!

Randi Barnes ⋅ Louisville, KY UPS ⋅ 18 years experience

Rusty,
If your still interested in remaining a pilot, UPS has several pilots flying all over the globe. We also have Supply Chain facilities in Coppell and Ft Worth. UPS also has many vets such as my self employed, as well as programs that allow active duty to work in our corporate office as part of a co-op program. If your interested in learning more, let me know and I can ask some of my counterparts to speak with you.
Take care and best of luck to you!
Randi

James Spencer ⋅ Dowell, IL Spencer and Partners LLC ⋅ 23 years experience

Shadowing sounds like a good way to get on board. Use your networking skills to find the people you need to make the right connections. Make a list of target companies and start asking anyone you know or would like to know about their management. A tip, I sometimes make what I call a Networking Business Card. Just name, address, phone, and employment goals. Pass them out as you network. It will set you apart and people will remember you. I have had this work very well for many professional clients.

FRANCIS TEPEDINO, ESQ. ⋅ San Diego, CA THE CONDOR GROUP ⋅ 30 years experience

Contact USAA in San Antonio . They make a special effort for all Vets. Also, if you are serious, the best - very best way to gain an executive position in Supply Chain is to get a Law degree. Contact me for more information if desired.

condorgrup@aol.com

Louis Schwarz ⋅ Somerville, NJ AIG ⋅ 43 years experience

Rusty, did you ever consider the private and commercial aviation insurance business. You have the background and knowledge to easily enter the business. Contact some of the insurance companies who underwrite aviation insurance. Texas has a lot of aviation insurance business. Also the state of Texas aviation insurance regulators may also be an opportunity for you. Good luck..

Sharon Parker ⋅ Roanoke, TX IBM ⋅ 25 years experience

Rusty, thanks for your service to our country! You might contact one of the universities in San Antonio and contact a professor in SCM. He/she might have contacts in industry that he could set you up with to shadow them. For example, this URL might be a possibility for you to look into. http://graduateschool.utsa.edu/programs/graduate-certificate-in-operations-and-supply-chain-management/

Good luck!

Jerry Welsh ⋅ Middleville, MI Master Military Transition Advisor/HPS GPO ⋅ 30 years experience

Mr. Mayben you might want to look into Informational Interviewing, targeted at companies that interest you. This way you are gathering information about the civilian market, from those that work in, but also then may gain enough good will to ask if they have a job shadowing opportunity. Google or search Information Interviewing, and come up with a valid introduction and questions that are sincerely seeking information. Unfortunately, some folks have tried to disguise an information interview into a job search, makes it tougher from some of the true informational Interviewers. Thanks for your service and hope this avenue assists. God Bless

Mark Tegtmeyer ⋅ Denton, TX PepsiCo - Frito Lay ⋅ 11 years experience

Rusty, currently deployed with the Reserve, but my full time employment is with Frito Lay in San Antonio. We have a couple retired Vets working there with me now that I could potentially set you up with if you're interested. We have both the manufacturing operations as well as warehouse and distribution operations there at the site. If you're still interested, email me at tegtm@hotmail.com and I'll see what I can do.

Mark

Dave Falzareno ⋅ San Antonio, TX Clear Visions, a RR Donnelley Company ⋅ 30 years experience

Rusty, Two companies that would really offer some insite here in beautiful San Antonio would be WhataBerger and HEB. Unfortunately, I have no contacts at those two locations. Good Luck, Dave at 414-7664

Rusty Maben ⋅ San Antonio, TX U.S. Marine Corps, Captain ⋅ 9 years served

Lauren,

Thanks for that tip. I'll start using that.

Cheers,

Rusty

George Wilhelmsen ⋅ Rochelle, IL Sargent & Lundy ⋅ 38 years experience

Rusty,

I'm going to go in a different direction. Why change occupations? You trained as a pilot. There is an acute shortage of pilots in the commercial airline industry, which is only growing larger. Yes, the initial price of admission (running turbo props and small jets with a grueling (i.e. nasty) schedule for a few years is not the best. However, the long term career path remains solid.

With that said, to your question, what I would advise is if you want to job shadow in logistics, look for an aviation company. There are a number of them in Texas where you might find opportunities, if you decide to move away from aviation. Your aviation knowledge would actually work with your position in this case as an advantage.

The question you will likely face from an employer is "You trained as a pilot - why would you want to do this?" Be ready with a good answer.

Best wishes,

George Wilhelmsen

Joseph Plye ⋅ Baytown, TX JSW Steel (USA) ⋅ 34 years experience

Hello Rusty. I would advise you to narrow your search for shadowing to industries which you may be interested. Supply chain/logistics differs significantly from industry to industry. If you are interested in a medium sized manufacturing environment and willing to travel to Houston, we can arrange shadowing. We are early in planning stage of major capex.

Lauren Gilmartin ⋅ New York, NY The Mission Continues ⋅ 4 years experience

Hi Rusty,

Thank you for your service in the Marine Corps and for joining ACP AdvisorNet. You can utilize the "Community" tool to search for Advisors by both industry and location to find some individuals you may be able to meet with in the San Antonio area. I encourage you to reach out to multiple Advisors for some guidance.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about some of AdvisorNet's most useful features, please feel free to send me a direct message. Have a great weekend!

Best,
Lauren