Joseph St. Amant

"Even in the current poor job market, I'm still relatively confident about finding a job in the industrial distribution field. This confidence is a result of the experiences I've had over the past two years, both at Clarkson University and at my internship experience in the distribution industry.

"In studying Global Supply Chain Management at Clarkson, I've come to believe that distribution is the very core of the Supply Chain. Through my various courses, I feel as though I've developed a solid academic foundation in the supply chain discipline, particularly the distribution aspect. I'm confident that this background will not only help me get a job, but ideally allow me to be successful in that position.

"The other area that I feel has made me so marketable to potential employers is the real-world experience I gained this summer as an intern with Grainger Industrial Supply. I believe there is no substitute for this type of experience.

"What I've learned in my courses is extremely valuable, but the experience gained from working for Grainger simply could not be duplicated in a classroom setting. I was exposed to a variety of aspects of the distribution industry. This included spending time in different service channels at the local branch level, going off-site with sales representatives, training at a zone distribution center, and sales and marketing of an e-business Web site.

"These activities have given me a fundamental understanding of the inner workings of the distribution industry. Ultimately, I believe that this understanding will give me a distinct competitive advantage when pursuing a job in industrial distribution as I begin the application and interview processes for several positions in the very near future."

Shawn Karaca

"I would not say that I am worried about getting a job following graduation, although I would say I am concerned about finding a great job. I think anyone about to start interviewing should be a little concerned, just to keep them on their toes, and, in addition, start thinking about other options in case you don't get that ideal job.

"That said, I am pretty confident that I will receive a job offer or two before I graduate. Being an Industrial Distribution major at Texas A&M offers countless opportunities to get your name and face familiar with the industry years before graduation. As a member and officer of A&M's PAID (Professional Assn. for Industrial Distribution) organization, I have had the chance to network with numerous prospective employers and get to know them a little before interviewing with them. PAID serves as a link between ID students and industry, and it is important to take advantage of that link by being as active as possible in the organization.

"Other factors also contribute to my confidence, as well. I had the opportunity to intern at Wholesale Electric Supply Co. this summer. This experience allowed me to see firsthand how a distributor operates from the inside, something that you cannot fully get a feel for in the classroom. My seven years of work experience for Marriott have given me a solid background in customer service, which is significant because I plan to go into sales. My plan has been to meet as many company representatives, obtain as much on-the-job experience and do as well in school as possible. I believe, come graduation time, it will all pay off for me in the form of a job offer that I will be more then happy to accept."