Let’s go back to childhood. If you were ever the kid who liked to make sure all the cups, lemons, sugar, tables, signs, etc., were organized for the neighborhood lemon stand, and set in the right place, and served out to customers without a hitch, you may be a prime candidate for the career field known as logistics.
Logistics may not be considered the most popular business skill or position, but guess what? Every business has it, and without it no business will carry on adequate workflow.
What is Logistics?
In simplest terms, logistics is the art of transporting one thing to another. It’s the planning, coordinating, accounting, etc., that is involved in moving people, places, and things to their proper destination. Logistics involves supply chain management, fulfilling orders, inbound and outbound transportation, inventory control and management, information flow, shipping, and more.
The field of logistics can involve overseeing the management and transportation of equipment, food, products, mailing packages, and even animals or military supplies.
Those who specialize in logistics are known as logisticians.
Without logistics workers, every company and business would have their hands full with unhappy consumers, because it’s the logistician’s job to make sure the right thing gets into the consumers’ hands.
Most people with small businesses actually operate as their own logistician without fully recognizing it. If you’re an independent small-business jewelry maker selling jewelry out your house, and you’re not working with a team, then you’re responsible for managing your jewelry orders, packaging the orders, making sure the orders are organized, and keeping track of order shipments so the jewelry ends up in the right hands. All of these things represent the fine art of logistics.
Of course, there’s bigger career options in this field, particularly if you’re looking to specialize in nothing more than this aspect of management. Matter-of-fact, the options are endless.
Breaking into the Logistics Career Field
One place to definitely start looking if you’re interested in getting into this field is the manufacturing industry. Manufacturing deals so much in supplies and shipments, that it’s almost impossible not to find available entry-level positions to break into.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 25 percent of logisticians work in the manufacturing field, with 20 percent working in government.
Also, according to Fortune Magazine, companies are looking to fill about 1.4 million logistic jobs this year alone! And the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that this field is expected to grow 22% by 2022. So again, this is one career field that’s full of opportunities!
Basic Skills Logisticians Need
One special skill that logisticians need is the ability to handle pressure. This particular job involves so many details, and things that could go wrong, that it’s important to be a person that can handle high day-to-day demands, and communication.
Another thing is employers typically look for logisticians who have earned a bachelor’s degree. Areas to pursue your degree in includes industrial engineering, supply chain management, or business.
Logisticians generally make between $70,000, and six-figures a year.
