My Internship Insights

Insights from my internship with Walmart Supply Chain

Supply Chain Overview

Coming into this internship, I had no prior experience in Supply Chain Management. My exposure to this field had just begun in my coursework and studies at Penn State. Now, after five weeks interning as a Supply Chain Transportation Area Manager, I've fully immersed myself in the field. I've gained hands-on experience in warehouse operations, shipping, and freight transportation.

During this time, I've shadowed professionals in the Transportation Office and Warehouse, gaining insights into different roles. I've visited a nearby supercenter store to see behind-the-scenes of truck deliveries and the unloading process, and I've even ridden along with a truck driver! When I'm not in the field, I'm in the office gathering data and working on my assigned projects.

My projects

My initial project focuses on the Woodland Distribution Center 6027 and our newly implemented automated warehouse system. I'm investigating how automation has impacted our forecasting accuracy, specifically in terms of pallets and daily truckload fulfillment. The objective is to gain deeper insights into how this technology is reshaping our operations, allowing us to adapt effectively and uphold our distribution center's reputation for exceptional forecasting precision.

Additionally, I am part of a group project with two other interns in Region 4. This project delves into analyzing driver errors and their primary causes. Driver errors include but are not limited to late arrivals, early arrivals, and miscalculations in estimated time of departure. By addressing and reducing these errors, we aim to ensure timely freight deliveries to stores, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction through consistent on-time service. It always comes down to the customer!

These projects provide me with a comprehensive learning experience: one where I navigate independently through an individual project, and another where I collaborate closely with teammates to achieve our objectives.

Challenges and Takeaways

1. Handling the vast amount of data and information for thorough analysis has been a significant learning curve. Navigating through the many data platforms Walmart utilizes has been a work-in-progress. I’ve gained skills in utilizing Power BI, Tableau, Excel, and other various tools. ?
2. Asking questions is crucial and does not take away from your credibility. I have always been afraid to ask questions and resort to solving problems independently as much as possible. This internship has encouraged me to ask more questions and change my habits. The supportive culture at Walmart plays a crucial role in this shift, since everyone is very willing to help when asked!

Reflection

I've gained valuable insights into Walmart's culture and core values through my experiences here. The people I've met are truly wonderful and inspiring. One highlight has been the Executive Speaker Series, where leaders from Walmart and Sam’s Club, such as Kathryn McLay, President and CEO of Walmart International; Chris Nicholas, President and CEO of Sam’s Club; and Doug McMillon, President and CEO of Walmart Inc., have spoken live and shared insights into their roles and the company, and given advice to us interns. You can learn a lot about a company from its leaders!

The hands-on experiences I've had here offer lessons that cannot be replicated in a classroom setting. I've sharpened my skills in data collection and analysis, communication, and problem-solving. I'm looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead in the coming weeks!