From the classroom to the warehouse, GTCC prepares students for careers in supply chain

Ian Patrick said GTCC’s Supply Chain Management program “opened my eyes to an entire world I had never considered before.” Thao My Trang added, “The job opportunities are massive because of this.”

Three years ago, Thao My Trang came to Guilford Technical Community College to earn her high school equivalency credential, drawn by the financial support and range of programs available. After earning her credential, she continued at GTCC to pursue her associate degree.

An Introduction to Business class introduced Trang to the Supply Chain Management program. With two years of experience already in the industry, she saw an opportunity to build on that and advance her career. 

At the time, she wasn’t fully aware of all the supply chain industry entailed. She understood the production side, but didn’t know about other aspects like transportation, logistics, purchasing, sales, operations, and more.

“I learned that supply chain begins with the first stage of buying supplies and raw materials to making and delivering finished goods to customers,” said Trang. “The job opportunities are massive because of this.”

Trang also appreciated the hands-on approach to learning the program offered. She recalled a project where she and her classmates worked together to operate and solve a problem for an orange juice company.

“We learned how to earn more profit for the company while improving return on investment, customer service, and communicating with different departments to come up with a final decision,” said Trang. “We used the SAP system and Inchainge. After finishing the course, I felt like I just completed a project for a real company.”

That real-world approach is also what drew current student Ian Patrick to the program.

Patrick has always enjoyed working on things with his hands. With his grandfather's help, he gained a passion for metal fabrication, blacksmithing, and knife-making. After high school, he pursued that passion into a machining career, earning a machining degree and working his way up to a large machine shop running equipment the size of a garage.

But Patrick soon learned that making his passion a career blurred his work-life balance.

“I couldn’t shut my brain off between work and play,” Patrick said. “What I’d done as a hobby for so many years, I now felt forced to do. It wasn’t fun anymore.”

Knowing he needed to make a change, he heard from a family friend about the supply chain management program at GTCC. He was already the middleman for manufacturers up and down the supply chain at the machine shop, so this felt like the natural next step to get even more involved in the process.

“It opened my eyes to an entire world I had never considered before,” he said.

Patrick started the program last fall and expects to graduate in May 2027. Like Trang, he soon learned the different aspects of supply chain management through classes like accounting, logistics, and purchasing.

GTCC provides an immersive training experience with supply chain warehouse lab. Students learn through a variety of supply chain simulations to gain insightful experience for full-time industry careers.

“In every class, we are taught by experts who have worked in the industry for a long time,” said Trang. “Every lesson always comes with real-world examples.”

Patrick echoed that sentiment.

“All of the instructors have brought something to the table from their personal experience,” he said. “I ask a ridiculous amount of questions, and they are so encouraging to oblige me and answer them.”

One instructor in particular changed how Trang viewed herself. 

“Karen Pentz is the instructor I appreciate the most,” she said. “I was so shy, and she encouraged me to be more confident and gave me more chances to share my ideas. She inspired me to understand what I’m doing instead of just focusing on the outcome.” 

Pentz, a supply chain instructor and associate professor of business administration at GTCC, sees a field that has never mattered more. 

“Supply chain management touches nearly every aspect of our daily lives, but most people don’t think about supply chains until something is unavailable,” she said. “At GTCC, our students learn how to solve the complex challenges that ensure products and services are available when and where they’re needed.” 

The supply chain management program provides learning not only on campus and in the classroom, but off campus, at real businesses too. 

One of Patrick’s favorite moments in the program so far was a class visit to Old Dominion Freight Line, led by a manager who started as a forklift driver and worked his way up. Patrick was struck by the efficiency of the operation, comparing it to a well-oiled machine. Hearing the manager’s story told Patrick he was exactly where he wanted to be. 

“He told us he talks to people all over the place and makes a ton of interactions, all of them interesting,” he said. “I thought, that is exactly what I want to do.” 

Manager isn’t the only career path in supply chain management. The field offers roles like supply chain analyst, logistics coordinator, buyer, production planner, warehouse supervisor, and demand planner. 

Trang, who finished her degree in May 2026, has transferred to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University to obtain her bachelor’s degree. She hopes to work as a supply chain analyst or inventory management specialist after graduation. 

Patrick's post-graduation plans are still up in the air. He’s currently focused on taking it all in and learning as much as he can.

“Nothing in this world can be done without supply chains,” said Patrick. “How do you think Amazon gets to your house? There’s someone behind it planning it.” 

Learn more about the supply chain management program.