Destiny Vojtik began her studies at UW-Stout as a business major. But after Gene Gutman, program director of supply chain management, spoke in one of her classes, she knew she wanted to look further into the field.
“My business classes weren’t digging deep enough for me and weren’t really what I wanted to do,” Vojtik said. “I like to think more critically. I don’t enjoy classes where there is an answer.”
Vojtik wanted to see the customer’s perspective of a business. Supply chain management allowed her to do that. She delved into customer expectations, transportation and logistics of shipping.
“The goal is to reduce cost and do the best job you can,” she said. “Supply chain is more about getting your hands dirty. It’s so hands-on and so different.”
A rewarding scholarship and hands-on experience
Vojtik was awarded the William and Patricia Hendricksen Supply Chain Management Scholarship.
“The scholarship allowed me to focus more time on my studies and in the supply chain lab instead of on working more hours off campus,” Vojtik said.
She learned about areas of a business she didn’t even know existed, with hands-on, real-world experiences. Her favorite experiences were in Design 1 and Design 2 senior capstone classes. She and her team reached out to businesses to seek solutions to real-world supply chain situations that they could apply post-graduation.
“These classes challenged every bit of my critical thinking skills but also allowed me and my team to get creative when it came to problem-solving,” she said.
Vojtik used her skills during a nine-month co-op at Greenheck in Schofield. She started as a materials specialist working with engineering and parts. She then worked in continuous improvement to rearrange the facility. She ended the internship as a shift supervisor in manufacturing, working with employees on how to get product out faster and on time.
The following summer her parents opened a small business. Vojtik stayed close to home and applied her supply chain knowledge to a new scenario.
“It was interesting to be able to scale down everything I learned to fit a smaller environment,” she said.
Entering the professional world of supply chain
Because of the constant change affecting products, markets, and customers’ needs and wants, the industry has many options for graduates to pursue. When Vojtik graduated in May 2019, she knew she didn’t want a desk job. She has become a buyer at Global Finishing Solutions in Osseo.
“I find myself applying the critical thinking and perspectives I learned at UW-Stout daily,” she said.
Vojtik recommends the program to anyone interested in digging deeper into the realm of business.
“My experience in the supply chain management program was nothing short of incredible,” she said. “If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be ‘growth.’ The creativity, critical thinking skills and professionalism really prepared me for the real world.”
