Devin Chan is currently enrolled in Global Logistics Specialist Professional Designation Program at California State Long Beach offered through the Center for International Trade and Transportation. He is also working as Logistic Apprentice at Kuehne+Nagel, Inc at Torrance, California. In this article, we share his journey to becoming an apprentice at Kuehne+Nagel, Inc.  

Chan was born in Paramount, California, USA, and grew up very close to Long Beach. “As for my family,” Chan said, “I am the third person to graduate from a college/ university. My family emigrated from Cambodia in the 1980’s, coming to America with little to nothing and education has always been instilled into the next generation. Essentially, I am the second generation of college graduates in my family, and I hope to be the first to obtain a Master’s (degree).”

He shared the driving factors in selecting his majors in California State University, Long Beach. “Initially, I choose to attend CSULB based on their Business program and close location. The thing that stood out most at CSULB for me was the campus diversity and amount of student support they offered. Cal State Long Beach is a very diverse school with students from across the country and the world. It was interesting to see different worldviews and perspectives, especially when working in groups. I also enjoyed the support services the school offered such as supplemental classes, free tutoring, major specific databases, use of available facilities like computer labs and study rooms, support for student organizations, and academic counseling.  In the school of business, professors came from many different backgrounds and industries, and I enjoyed when they could share real life experiences or incorporate actual supply chain exercises for assignments and projects. I chose to focus on Supply Chain Management late into my time at CSULB. Since some management courses and supply chain courses overlapped with each other, it made sense to go for a dual option in management and supply chain. The thing that sparked me to pursue a career in the field of supply chain was when I had the opportunity to tour two major ports of the world —the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Hamburg. Both experiences opened my eyes to the world of transportation logistics. By seeing one part of the broad supply chain network; I was instantly fascinated by all the different areas involved with the ports such as trucking, ocean carriers, and freight forwarders, etc. There is so much involved in moving freight, and I am happy I found my place in it all.” Chan has previously worked in retail, customer service, data sampling, and the food service industry. Speaking about his experiences in these areas, he noted, “Having experienced working in different sectors, I gained an open view of the professional world. My experience gave me a greater appreciation for people working in various industries. The one common thing I saw in each of my workplaces was personal work ethic. No matter what the industry, I've met many people with great work ethic. I observed several individuals who went above and beyond what the position called for, and I will always remember the amount of energy and commitment they put forth. These people inspired me to strive for the same level of detail and engagement in my current position.”

Chan was thrilled to secure an apprenticeship at Kuehne+Nagel, a European based company, headquartered in Switzerland. “The knowledge you gain and connections you make are important later in your career. What I like most about this apprenticeship is that it's a tremendous learning opportunity. I am new to the industry so I try to absorb all that can help me work more efficiently in the future. I also like the working environment and the diversity of my co-workers, who come from many different backgrounds around the world, and it's interesting to get to know each of them. Most of them also come from many different companies within the industry with years of experience; to be able to learn from them is a great opportunity for me.” Comparing Kuehne+Nagel with companies based in America, he said, “I prefer the way it operates as compared to American-based companies. There seems to be a greater sense of individuality and horizontal integration here. Employees are empowered to do their work and are more involved in critical decisions.” Regarding his thoughts on the difference between college life and his apprenticeship, he said, “In college, you get an overview of the industry you’re getting into, while learning conceptual information and the fundamentals of subjects related to your major. The topics are broader and more varied in college, while my apprenticeship helps me focus on the industry that will be part of my future career. College also enables you to adjust to the group dynamics and organizational roles that you will encounter in the workplace. Both experiences are beneficial and can be carried on throughout your career.”

When asked how he got to know about the apprenticeship opportunity, he said, “I attended a Supply Chain panel at Cal State Long Beach, hosted by CITT in April 2016. Our branch Vice President Stefan Minder was one of the panelists in the supply chain panel. After the panel, I talked to our HR manager and could learn about the details about the apprenticeship. Initially, I was there to find out more about the master's program and available industries in the supply chain. I was fortunate to get the opportunity to attend the event that would eventually lead me to my current career.  Starting off, I had a vague notion about apprenticeships and assumed it was sort of like an internship. The concept turned out to be so much more. Apprenticeships are abundant in Europe, but are relatively new to the U.S. I think apprenticeships appealed to me because you're working with the company in a full-time capacity and like similar training programs, your put into different departments to get a feel for the company; while doing actual work in each department. At the same time, you have the option to pursue your masters or other programs like the GLS. I find apprenticeships a very enriching experience.” Chan also shared his typical day at his apprenticeship. “In my current rotation, I am in Trade Management at Kuehne+Nagel. We handle a lot of quotations with potential customers as well as support for our West Area branches. Typically, once I get into the office I start off with any pending emails I may have, which can vary day to day. Once I've checked and responded to emails, I get started on the all the projects that I may be working on for the week. The past month has been busy as this is the prime time for generating business opportunities, and each day is a potential opportunity to work with a new customer or an existing one. Since I am completely new to the industry, every day is a learning experience. I get a wealth of information on how the sea freight industry works and how Kuehne+Nagel interacts with customers both internally and externally. Each day can differ from the next, which is challenging when you must manage different quotations at once. You're constantly shifting your focus and trying to meet deadlines. I’m also in contact with the sales team, which acts as the first point of contact for our company between our customers. I usually help with any inquiries they may have that relate to our clients. It's exciting to be in a department that deals with trade lanes and ocean freight rates. At the same time, the industry is going shifts in ocean carrier alliances. It’s interesting to see changes to the industry and how companies will react to those changes. For example, the Hanjin bankruptcy has had ripple effects throughout our industry. From start of the day to the end, I constantly have on-going task and projects. A lot of the projects require the use of Excel and communication with collogues within the branch as well as our offices abroad. As apprentices, we typically spend a month or two in each department, so our roles and task are always changing. I enjoy going through the process as I get different responsibilities and can work with the various people throughout the branch. Overall it feels great to be a part of a large global company.  You gain a broader perspective of the world and get to see how supply chain connects it all.”

Chan has both short and long-term career goals. “In the short term, I hope to learn everything I can about the freight forwarding industry. I want to absorb all the information I can from the many departments within our company. I hope I can gain a greater understanding of the industry that will enable me to move forward in Kuehne+Nagel. I also want to complete the Global Logistic program with CITT at CSULB, which would also further my knowledge about the industry. In the long term, I want to obtain a Masters in Global Supply Chain Management while working at Kuehne+Nagel in the exact role that I trained for during my rotation. I'm not sure what role I will be in at the end of my apprenticeship, but my long-term goal is to move up within K+N so that I can make it to a supervisory role.”

Since many students, recruiters, and other people who set up and manage apprenticeship programs wanted to know more about the whole process he went through, we asked him if he would advise on this. He readily obliged and said, “I recommend getting involved early. For anyone who desires to get into any field, I suggest finding clubs, events, meetings, and internships related to that area. By getting a head start and experiencing it firsthand, you can get a feel for that industry; which enables you to see what best fits for you. Apprenticeships are an excellent way to get hands-on experience that fully immerses you into the inner workings of a company. Same with internships, any experience no matter what role will be an excellent addition to your resume as well as your personal life experience. Making connections is also a significant aspect of it all. Some long-term relationships that gained during my time in school have truly been invaluable today. I joined student-run organizations late into my college experience. By joining and becoming an active board member of a management club called SAM, I could open myself to my field through networking, attending speaker series, and going to social functions. The college experience you get is the one you make; I honestly believe that if a student wishes to get the best out of their time in education, you must put yourself out there and go for opportunities that can help you in the long run. 

When we asked Chan if he wished to share some upcoming news with us, he said, “I am currently taking the GLS program at CSULB and hope to complete my Masters in Supply Chain after this. I am also currently attempting a lifestyle change by following healthier habits to promote a healthier life. Since starting work, it has been difficult to maintain a routine in daily exercise and diet. Fortunately, I have support from Kuehne+Nagel’s health initiatives, and I plan to improve my current habits. I feel both body and mind are essential to thinking clearly and performing productively.”

Deepa Hegde

Deepa Hegde is a graduate student pursuing Master of Science in Business Analytics at the USC Marshall School of Business, and expects to graduate in Dec 2017. She is interested in Human Behavioral and Social Media Analytics and aspires to bring a positive transformation to society through her problem-solving and analytical skills. She can be reached at [email protected].