3 Lessons I've Learned from my first week as an Operations Intern

Given that this is the first time in my career that I have worked in operations, I knew that there would be no shortage of learning opportunities, as well as the opportunity to draw parallels between what I am learning through this internship experience, as well as what I already know. With that in mind, I wanted to share 3 of my main takeaways so far.

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• Watch out for Fraudulent Carriers: In the logistics industry in particular, fraudulent carriers are on the rise, and this can cause major issues for the supply chain if we are not diligent to ensure that we are working with carriers that are reliable, trustworthy, and have a track record that speaks for itself. When looking for fraudulent carriers, there can be multiple indicators such as double brokering freight or shared information such as an address across multiple entities, and it is crucial that we perform necessary checks on carriers to ensure reliability in the supply chain. By having standard procedures and checks on each carrier that is used, everyone involved in the supply chain will have the security of knowing that things will continue to operate smoothly. Through learning about fraud in, I have also realized that this is a crucial role of the operations team that I will be working with this summer because we are often tasked with sourcing carriers for various shipments. If we let freight or shipments into the hands of a fraudulent carrier, that can cause major issues within the supply chain, and it will almost certainly leave someone unhappy.

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• Teamwork is Everything: Within the supply chain there are generally two teams of people; the operations team and the sales team. Without effective communication and teamwork between the two groups confusion can quickly arise, leading to missed opportunities for moving freight or even the complete loss of a shipment. Throughout my experience so far, I have seen firsthand what effective communication looks like between the two teams. I have also learned that when bad news arises, it is better to communicate it to everyone involved as soon as possible. In a scenario such as this, quick communication if necessary because it will allow issues to be resolved as quickly as possible, which in hand can lead to a return to efficiency and reliability for the supply chain wholistically. More information about communication and teamwork can also be found here: https://www.oxfordcollegeofprocurementandsupply.com/why-communication-is-key-to-supply-chain-success/#:~:text=Don't%20be%20scared%20to,as%20asking%20for%20it%20yourself.

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• Logistics Is a New Language: While I am familiar with the supply chain field, I have quickly realized through my experience so far that the logistics industry seems to have a language of its own. This may seem daunting to some but learning this can have a tremendous positive impact on your success in the supply chain. Whether you are speaking with a customer, a peer, or a potential carrier, it is paramount that you are an expert on whatever aspect of the industry you are discussing. Whether you are asking a driver for a BOL or a POD, or discussing with a customer if they need a hotshot, flatbed, or RGN it can be easy to get lost in what everything all means. Thankfully, because there are so many new terms and acronyms in this industry, the company has provided all new and existing employees with a glossary of terms, which I have found extremely beneficial.

There have already been so many challenges and opportunities for growth through this experience so far, and I have truly enjoyed every minute of it. It has been extremely interesting to see how the supply chain continues to function through the lens of my experience at a 4PL company, and I look forward to continuing this experience throughout the summer!

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