Emanuel Carpenter ⋅ Alpharetta, GA SDR Master Class ⋅ 20 years experience

Rameez: The Department of Labor says the field is growing. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/logisticians.htm

You'll discover when you get out that your experience is more important than your degree. Still, you need the degree to get the interview for many jobs. Hiring managers rarely dwell on what you learned in school.

Best thing to do now is to follow potential employers on social media to keep up with the industry. Ask to connect with potential hiring managers too.

Garrett Chelius ⋅ New York, NY The Forum Group ⋅ 19 years experience

Rameez, if you enjoy the petroleum industry and plan on staying in Texas take a look at this. 32 of the Fortune 500 firms are energy based companies right in Texas.
Good luck and Thank you for your service.

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2013/05/13/texas-energy-companies-fortune-500.html

A whopping 32 energy companies based in Texas made Fortune magazine's 2013 list of the top 500 U.S. companies, ranked by revenue.

Of those energy companies, 68.8 percent are based in Houston, 15.6 percent are Dallas-based, 9.4 percent are based in San Antonio, and 3.1 percent are each based in Corpus Christi and El Paso.

Click here to see which Texas-based energy companies made the Fortune 500 list, their revenue and sector.

William Ryan ⋅ New York, NY Circulation ⋅ 27 years experience

If you are going private sector, Amazon would be the place to start. They are expanding like crazy and they are masters of supply chain mgt. Amazon is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer – Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran

check this out for example
https://g.co/kgs/sUZsr3

https://g.co/kgs/wwdJBC

https://g.co/kgs/UG9xjQ

Thank you for your service

Paul Trejo ⋅ Austin, TX University of Texas at Austin ⋅ 40 years experience

Rameez,

Thanks for your years of service. in the old days we called "Supply Chain" by its much older name, "Logistics." Getting the right part in the right place at the right time.

Based on improvements in technology, this became "Just in Time Inventory," which saved tons of money by reducing the need for onsite storage of Inventory.

Based on even further improvements in technology, this has become Supply Chain technology, with software application giants such as SAP leading the field.

Oil companies are not the only giant companies that survive entirely on Supply Chain logistics. Any giant manufacturer requires this technology today.

Yet Wm Ryan is the most visionary on your thread so far -- Amazon.com is finding a home in Texas, and they are a global leader in retail trade, with countless billions of dollars of revenue. They have that "start-up" company feel, so they may appeal largely to young and energetic people. Yet they pay far better than average.

While it's true that oil companies dominate the current economy, the new sources of energy for the future may yet smile upon the alternatives. Be prepared for rapid changes in the future.

With "Supply Chain" expertise the entire global economy is your oyster. You can't miss.

Best wishes,
--Paul Trejo

Gerald Mannikarote ⋅ Houston, TX dMann Training Technologies ⋅ 20 years experience

I think you are doing the right thing. I have a friend that is an engineer and then took an MBA. He's now in supply chain for an oil and gas company. He explained that was where he would get the most growth.
I believe, based on your experience and the education you are receiving, you will be an asset in supply chain management for any oil and gas company. Start putting out feelers in this realm.
I like Michael's suggestion that starting your own business is an option. Keep that in mind as well.
All the best in your pursuits.

Warm regards,
Jerry

Michael Del Vecchio ⋅ Killingworth, CT U.S. Army, Staff Sergeant ⋅ 3 years served

Good Morning, Rameez,

Killeen, Tx - I hope it isn't as wild and dusty as when i passed through. In any case welcome home.

The oil industry is big in Texas and may be a landing spot for you. I also read many other industries in the advice above - all good, keep an open mind. Another option is to start your own business - your experience as a sergeant works better there and you'll enjoy the freedom (and risks) of operation. I did it and it was the best job I ever had.

The degree is good in that it opens up your thought models - be sure to finish. Check out possibilities as an entrepreneur here https://www.score.org/. If you want to talk send me an EMAIL. Merry Christmas.

daniel talley ⋅ Meridian, MS U.S. Army National Guard, Master Sergeant ⋅ 28 years served

Fluid supplies are found in many manufacturing environments, restaraunt supply/support, after market auto/vehicle maintenance operations. Auto manufacturers need reliable supply managers to insure a variety of fluids do not halt operations from clear coat paint to machine maintenance lubricants.

However don't pigeon hoke yourself. You have experience in supply chain AND a degree to match. Few new graduates from college will have the experience and record of service for ensuring operations remained ininterupted. Practical application of your petroleum supply to proper place, time, and quantity goes beyond classroom theory. Awards and recognition for "insuring consistent supply of fuel to 100 or more vehicles anywhere any time to complete field problems or combat missions" will pull weight with employers more than a 22 year old college grad who was intramural quidige captain.

The same dedication, professionalism, and task completion of petroleum supply is greatly needed in ALL levels of supply chain management.

Furthermore if you have leadership training and experience be proud and highlight such. Manage a supply team? Supervise other drivers/petroleum specialists? Which standard college grad has such for a resume.

Motivating people, calculating inventory levels, insuring continuity of supply without waste or overstock are critical to any business success. You can offer this be it petroleum delivery or widget production.

Thank you for your service!!!

Paul Dietrich ⋅ Staten Island, NY Phillips Petroleum ⋅ 35 years experience

Rameez- take a look at the energy companies such as Phillips.com, exxon.com looking for positions in the terminal and pipeline side of the house. Every city has multiple oil company terminals all with positions for management. I would recommend you start out looking for a supervisor position of a terminal and look to progress into management after several years. Pipeline operations also has a lot of supervisory positions but is a little more difficult to get into without some pipeline background. The Terminals with truck loading facilities as well as docks offer the best opportunities and there are some with pipelines associated either as terminus or starting points. While I have listed the majors, do not overlook the independent terminals but understand that they will likely pay a little less but would give you experience in terminals to use when applying to a major. Good Luck.

Victor Ramos ⋅ Mc Lean, VA Raytheon ⋅ 14 years experience

Rameez, please continue to pursue the supply chain management degree. Your will find plenty of opportunity after the school is completed.

e are looking - Interested

TO APPLY FOR POSITIONS AT RAYTHEON, FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

1. Visit www.raytheon.com/military
2. Click “Drop off your resume here” to add yourself to the transitioning military database for review by our recruiters.
3. To search for jobs of interest and submit to specific jobs, select “search our openings and apply.”
4. Create a login and more detailed profile if it is your first visit to the site. Complete the voluntary self-identification form

Tip from recruiters: Only provide information that is relevant to the position you are applying for. Once you locate the desired job or position, review the job description, required or desired skills, required or desired education, and security clearance requirements. Read all items carefully and note key skills, systems, programs, etc. Tailor your resume to address these specific items using the verbiage in the job posting. There are military translators that may be of help, for example http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/skills-translator/.

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

Rameez, Being a Texan, you have run into Valero before. I started working for Diamond Shamrock in 1986. I wish I stuck with them more than my 4 years. That company merged into Valero about 20 years ago and between Valero and Nustar ( a spin off from Valero around 2007 ) they would be the place to work in my opinion based on your prior experience. Both are headquartered in San Antonio where I live and both are fine companies. I believe both companies would encourage you in your degree since moving oil is what they do. Reach out to both of them and Stay in Texas since the economy is great here. Best of Luck....Dave

Deb Miller ⋅ Bardstown, KY US Postal Service ⋅ 16 years experience

Rameez, thank you for your service. I agree with all the above - your degree is important, there are companies out there whose existence relies upon a strong supply chain. In my years of reviewing resumes, I see people who presume their work wasn't relevant so they just lists the dates, company, location and job title. I tend to dig deeper with these people during the interview, attempting to get them to tell me what they did and sometimes even coach them on how that job does or could have been the perfect fit for the position I was interviewing. I have been successfully using all my years in US Army logistics (supply and maintenance operations) in the US Postal Service. Consider us, too along with Amazon as someone mentioned, Walmart (lostistics), any large food chain, transportation companies, of course large fuel corporations, etc. Give some thought to marketing, too. In supply management we are well versed in gaining a firm grasp of the division's operational plans - where the division intends to be and when and what we need to do to make that a success. Just like marketing. Marketing is not all jingles, commercials, art, etc it is understanding the logistical needs of the corporation and the ability to grasp where the entire industry could be heading and stay in front of it.....just like Marketing....Also, get a linkedIn profile which discusses your experience in the supply chain world.