Polk State’s Supply Chain Management grads say it’s a “great degree track to watch” as industry booms

Often taken for granted, the supply chain ensures that all consumer products are available when they’re needed and can ultimately take them all the way to people’s homes. What graduates of Polk State College’s Supply Chain Management Program won’t take for granted, however, is the difference it has made in their careers.

Taught by real-world professionals with experience working in the industry, Polk State offers an Associate in Science in Supply Chain Management. Since the Fall 2023 Semester, a concentration in Supply Chain Management is also available within the Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management. It also offers an Advanced Technical Certificate in Supply Chain Management and a Logistics and Transportation Specialist Certificate.

“The supply chain is literally everything,” said Savannah Lawson, who completed her Associate in Science in Supply Chain Management in December 2023. “The industry has high growth. There is job security and versatility. There are many different avenues to choose from. This degree track is so well-rounded that it helps students think out of the box and learn how the supply chain affects everyone.”

Proof in the pudding

A 2017 graduate of Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School, Lawson earned her Polk State Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management with a concentration in Business Administration in 2018. After starting her career at Publix Super Markets in the corporate offices, Lawson has worked for React Health, which specializes in oxygen and ventilation devices, since 2022. React Health was originally headquartered in Winter Haven but now has a main office in Ohio as it has grown into a national brand. Lawson currently works remotely as a procurement specialist.

“When I got my bachelor’s in business, it was the safe play,” Lawson reflected. “When I got into the workforce, I really wanted to know the supply chain better. The fact that I was able to do work online was great. Balancing work and life as a mom, I liked the flexibility the program provided.”

Jeremy Hornsby, who currently works for Publix, had more than 30 years of experience in the field but no degree when he enrolled in the Polk State program in 2021. He received his Associate in Science in May 2024. Despite having 34 years of supply chain experience, Hornsby realized there was so much more to learn during his time at the College.

“There are so many different jobs within warehouses, within businesses,” Hornsby explained. “From transportation to logistics, there is so much. This program sets you up for success. This program puts you in a position to advance.”

Carl Davidson can attest to that firsthand. An employee of Quirch Foods since 2012, Davidson was working as a transportation manager in Lakeland when he enrolled at Polk State in 2019. A 2021 Associate in Science graduate in Supply Chain Management who went on to receive his Bachelor of Applied Science in 2023, Davidson has been promoted three times since enrolling at Polk State. Now working in Medley, Fla., he’s the assistant general manager.

“Polk State was local, convenient, and affordable,” Davidson said. “Supply Chain Management fit with what I wanted to do and the career path that I was in. I wanted to advance and get a new perspective. At Polk State, you’re being taught by real-world professionals. They were fully engaged and lived what they were teaching. They prepared you to make a jump and they cared whether or not you would make it.”

Flexibility and a proven staff

Most of the students enrolled in the Polk State Supply Chain Management Program are already in the workforce. With trying to balance careers, academics, and in many cases, a family, Polk State’s flexibility makes it possible for students to work at their own pace.

“You can take classes full-time and still work around your own schedule,” Davidson explained. “When I was looking for bachelor’s programs, I looked at a lot of colleges and universities, but none were as convenient and flexible as Polk State. Rates are better than other schools in the area and I got a ton out of the academic coursework. The knowledge I gained here really helped me along my path.”

“Customers are 24/7,” Hornsby added. “I can get a call at any time. The flexibility of online classes was nice, but the professors are there whenever you need them. I could plan my week around this schedule. They have experience, but they were also understanding when things like with your family came up.”

While professors are experienced in the field, they also go above and beyond to help students. Davidson noted that professors spent extra time with him outside of classroom hours to help make sure he passed his Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) Level One Certification exam. Lawson offered similar sentiments.

“Professor (of Supply Chain Management and Program Coordinator Francisco) Rodrigues has been a mentor to me,” she said. “The professors here are full of knowledge. They really focus on building that next generation of supply chain professionals. They have personal stories you can’t find in a textbook. They’re truly leaders. Some have full-time jobs and are doing this because they desire to help. Francisco and (Director of Business Programs) Maria Lehoczky have done an incredible job growing this program.”

While many in the program are currently working students, Hornsby noted that it is also great for more traditional students who have just completed high school. Working with a connected faculty, he noted, can lead to job and internship opportunities.

“For someone just starting out, take it seriously,” Hornsby explained. “Professor Rodrigues, even as you’re going through the program and you think you’re doing fine, is always following up. You build relationships while you’re here and opportunities open up. You never know what it’s going to lead to.”

Program graduates note that many of the skills learned in the program have been used at their current occupations. Lawson specifically mentioned learning to negotiate in class.

“I have a bachelor’s degree and certificates,” she said. “This program was more than that – it helped me build myself out. Purchasing isn’t just buying things; it’s negotiating. I learned how to do that here and I use these things to this day.”

Previously at Saddle Creek Logistics Services, Hornsby had plenty of experience in third-party bidding to earn companies’ services. The program opened his eyes to new approaches.

“The negotiations part was super helpful,” he recalled. “When you’re in the workforce, you get used to doing things a certain way. This was a nice refresher.”

Why a career in supply chain?

Graduates of the program noted that there are many levels to the supply chain.

“Supply chain is a broad topic,” Davidson said. “It affects every part of everyone’s life. Everything goes through the supply chain. Every product you buy has to be manufactured, procured, transported, etc. A lot of people take it for granted, but there are many opportunities here.”

Lawson explained that the industry has provided an opportunity for women to move up in the workforce.

“The industry percentage for women in the supply chain field is about 40%,” she explained. “About 26% are in administrative or managerial roles. There is a strong presence of women in leadership roles.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, logisticians who have at least a bachelor’s degree earned a median salary of nearly $81,000 in 2024. The job outlook from 2023 to 2033 is projected to grow by 19% – much faster than the average occupation.

“This is a great degree track to watch,” Lawson noted. “With Polk County booming, it’s worth watching what this degree program has to offer. For someone like me who wants to be in management, I’ve learned from people who have been where I want to be. It’s good for entry-level college students or for people who want to go back and further their knowledge.”

Like Polk County, the Supply Chain Management Program has seen tremendous growth since its inception in 2008. It hired its first full-time professor in 2021. It now also has five part-time instructors. Between the AS, BAS concentration, and certificate options, the program had more than 100 students enrolled during the Spring 2025 Semester.

“It was very insightful for Polk State to recognize the demand for this,” Hornsby added. “It’s going to pay huge dividends – not just for the students but for their employers. The name of the program itself really caught my attention. Being a graduate of this program is something I really like having on my resume.”

For those considering the program, Lawson offered words of advice.

“Networking while you’re here is investing in your future self,” she concluded. “This program has great resources, so take advantage of those. The supply chain is always evolving. You can never ask too many questions.”