Students Get Involved With MHEDA
As part of MHEDA's effort to engage the next generation of industry professionals, the association hosted university students at the Annual Convention for the third consecutive year. Read below about one such student, Jonathan Jones. Also, MHEDA once again sponsored scholarships through the Material Handling Education Foundation. One 2008 scholarship went to James “Cody” Chason.
JONATHAN JONES
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Jonathan Jones |
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Age: 22
Hometown: Diboll, Texas
Major: Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University (graduates December 2008)
Career Plans: For now, my post-graduation plans are unknown. I plan to pursue a career in sales or management, but I am unsure of the industry and exact company for which I will be employed.
Why I Like Material Handling: If the people I met at Convention were any representation of the industry, material handling would make an excellent career for me because it would allow me to interact with such wonderful people on a day-to-day basis.
Convention Experience: Before the MHEDA Convention, I had only brief exposure to the industry. Once I was invited to Convention, I researched the industry and discovered an interest which was re-affirmed through my attendance. I learned what areas are encompassed by the term “material handling.” I learned that the people of MHEDA are what make the industry such a huge success. I also learned to expect the unexpected. At 7:00 a.m., a talking pineapple is definitely a surprise!
JAMES “CODY” CHASON
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Cody Chason |
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Age: 22
Hometown: Maryville, Tennessee
Major: Logistics at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville (graduates December 2008)
Minors: Pre-Law, Project Management
Career Plans: Upon graduation, I hope to work full-time at Kimberly-Clark, Proctor & Gamble or Target, or manage or design a distribution center for a major logistics firm. After several years in the industry, I plan to pursue an MBA and work toward my definitive goal of becoming a senior-level executive for a Fortune 500 company.
Why I Like Material Handling:I never really thought about how the products we consume every day end up on the store shelf until seeing how everything works. With the ever-changing global economy and pressures to meet growing consumer demand, getting the right product to the right customer in the most cost-effective manner has never been more challenging.
Convention Experience: Last summer, I toured Australia's largest distribution center and saw every characteristic of warehousing, inventory, movement and equipment I had learned about. I also did a six-month co-op at the transportation headquarters of Kimberly-Clark Corporation, where I coordinated and managed all export ocean volume traveling to Australia and Asia and also managed worldwide air freight. |
