Q: Why did you choose industrial distribution as a major, and what skills do you think you'll bring to an entry-level job?

LINDSAY TACK>

Advances in technology and industry have increased the demand for efficient distribution practices. Whether it involves making sure products reach the assembly line on time, or getting a shipment in and out of a warehouse with ease, distribution plays a vital role in many businesses.

For two summers while in college, I spent time working on a factory floor. These experiences in the manufacturing environment are what revealed to me the importance of efficient distribution practices, and brought me into my studies of industrial distribution and industrial technology at Purdue University. Now in my senior year and looking into the job market, I feel that I will be able to offer vast technical knowledge as well as a "thinking outside of the box" attitude.

The foundation on which I will build my career will be based on the skills I have obtained through my internships, along with the distribution practices learned in my course studies at Purdue. Moreover, my experiences working in positive team environments will enable me to accommodate various situations. With these attributes, I am confident that I will be able to position myself in a distribution role, aiding in the growth of the industry.

JESSICA LYNNE BISHOP>

I started Eastern Michigan in the marketing program and soon realized that it wasn't what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I heard about the I.D. program through a friend, and after talking to Professor [John] Boyless and doing some research on my own, I realized that this was the program for me. I wanted to get into a field that was changing and dynamic—and with a 98 percent job placement rate, industrial distribution was a hard program to pass up. I truly enjoy learning about distribution, and it seems to make studying and doing homework a lot easier now that I am interested in the subject matter.

The industrial distribution program at Eastern has provided me with an in-depth knowledge of distribution, and has helped to sharpen the skills I will need in the field. I will also bring honesty, integrity, passion, perseverance and, above all, a strong work ethic to any job. In addition, I have a strong willingness to learn that is backed by confidence and a lot of energy.