Author: Sime Curkovic

The data indicates that an MS or MBA degree continues to deliver an exceptional ROI.

When I first entered academia as a supply chain professor 30 years ago, I assumed the ROI on a graduate education in business would fade.  MBA degrees tended to be too broad in coverage and there was an oversupply.  However, the data indicates that an MS or MBA degree continues to deliver an exceptional ROI.  For example, a recent Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) report cited that over their lifetime, an MBA graduate can expect to earn $3 million...

My students in Silicon Valley say making $200K+/yr feels like making $90K/yr in Metro Detroit. Some pay close to $6K/month for rent (so they need roommates). Owning a home will be tough. Kind of related…Ranked: Worst Companies for Employee Retention:

My students in Silicon Valley say making $200K+/yr feels like making $90K/yr in Metro Detroit. Some pay close to $6K/month for rent (so they need roommates). Owning a home will be tough. Kind of related...Ranked: Worst Companies for Employee Retention: https://lnkd.in/gVqJCXtV. https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cp/median-down-payment-for-a-house-by-state/ Mapped: What You Need to Earn to Own a Home in 50 American Cities: https://lnkd.in/eMkG82KF. Real Estate 2024: 10 Cities Where You’ll Probably Lose a Bidding War for...

Great read…Translation: Success = Pick the right major (i.e., demand > supply) + Get work experience (i.e., internships related to major) + Pick the right first job (i.e., they pay a premium for your major because of supply/demand conditions and you are job ready day one because you have professional work experience). Notice:

Notice SCM made the list: Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain, Storage. https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cp/industry-hiring-in-every-country/ Also #5. Supply Chain (Logistics): If You Majored in One of These 18 Subjects, You’ll Likely Have a Comfortable Retirement: https://lnkd.in/eX8XUHxj. Great read…Translation: Success = Pick the right major (i.e., demand > supply) + Get work experience (i.e., internships related to major) + Pick the right first job (i.e., they pay a premium for your major because of supply/demand...

PROJECTIONS POINT TO SALARY INCREASES FOR CLASS OF 2024 BACHELOR’S GRADS…”Business grads have an avg salary projection that is 3% higher, lifting it to $63,907.” Note, WMU SCM grads (2022) have a median wage range of $65-$75K (add $5K+ for 2024).

PROJECTIONS POINT TO SALARY INCREASES FOR CLASS OF 2024 BACHELOR’S GRADS: https://lnkd.in/eRxevuJv. "Business grads have an avg salary projection that is 3% higher, lifting it to $63,907." Note, WMU SCM grads (2022) have a median wage range of $65-$75K (add $5K+ for 2024). https://lnkd.in/dkGr4_uX. Mapped: The Industry Hiring the Most People In Every Country: https://lnkd.in/eCDBEKzQ. Notice SCM made the list: Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain, Storage.Also #5. Supply Chain (Logistics): If...

Do not be a victim of technology. You could make the case that every Business major should minor in Data Analytics. These skill sets would perhaps include:

“Half our member respondents (50%) said they would take a “Data Analytics” class to continue their growth as supply chain leaders. Second on the list was taking a “Finance” class (33%).” https://lnkd.in/eEEVhWEX. “Knowledge workers were the hardest positions to fill. With the explosion of data in supply chains and the richness of that data, many companies are starting to understand the value of that information. This is causing tremendous demand...

For a list of employers with 100% remote jobs…When in the job interview process do you disclose that you only want to work remotely? It is becoming increasingly common for our graduates to prioritize remote work opportunities. The appeal of flexibility and the comfort of working from one’s own space is undeniable (I do it VERY often).

For a list of employers with 100% remote jobs, see: https://lnkd.in/g6cq-S6E. When in the job interview process do you disclose that you only want to work remotely? https://lnkd.in/ggqZ8xbZ. It is becoming increasingly common for our graduates to prioritize remote work opportunities. The appeal of flexibility and the comfort of working from one's own space is undeniable (I do it VERY often). Young people who work remotely are 'probably not' going...

It might be time for price risk sharing in these buyer-supplier relationships…Also, get ready for another supply chain disruptor: no succession planning…Do not forget where most of the supply chain is: Small Businesses. From HBR article:

It might be time for price risk sharing in these buyer-supplier relationships: https://lnkd.in/eRm5Cdxw. Also, get ready for another supply chain disruptor: no succession planning…Do not forget where most of the supply chain is: Small Businesses. From HBR article:“The U.S. has an opportunity to do more than just get its supply chains back on track. It can prevent future disruptions by fundamentally improving how they operate...Supply chain companies — defined as...

Our new “apprenticeship” program: We just concluded a co-op pilot program with a F500 company that was highly successful and has started its second iteration in 2024. So, what makes this Co-op program different?..

More WMU SCM student & program success stories… https://wmich.edu/news/2024/02/74893 Our new "apprenticeship" program: We just concluded a co-op pilot program with a F500 company that was highly successful and has started its second iteration in 2024. So, what makes this Co-op program different?...https://lnkd.in/eBTbaQui.1. Dylan Sing is a team player as a student athlete on the WMU men's soccer team & as a SCM major. https://lnkd.in/ggqPmMyw.2. SCM student wins prestigious scholarship. Madison Dober excels...

Very nice graphic. Demonstrating self awareness during an interview is huge. Here is a website that is similar to MBTI and it is free…I actually require my students to conduct a personal SWOT and they largely struggle. How about a personal SWOT analysis? For details on how to build your brand (with a workbook):

Very nice graphic. Demonstrating self awareness during an interview is huge. Here is a website that is similar to MBTI and it is free: https://lnkd.in/ey4TEUY. I actually require my students to conduct a personal SWOT and they largely struggle. How about a personal SWOT analysis? For details on how to build your brand (with a workbook): https://lnkd.in/dSAA6wF.Prepping for a job interview? Here's how to answer 'What is my biggest weakness?'...

Great read…Note, we cover this in our CIS 4640 Business Data Mining class which is the capstone class in our Business Analytics minor. The forecast-driven idea is something that our CIS faculty have been selling to SCM students in this course. In fact, more than 70% of the class is about forecasting and predicting. We specifically talk about data quality treatment strategies to reduce forecasting/prediction errors. CIS 4640 – Business Data Mining:

Great read… https://hbr.org/2024/03/how-machine-learning-will-transform-supply-chain-management Note, we cover this in our CIS 4640 Business Data Mining class which is the capstone class in our Business Analytics minor. The forecast-driven idea is something that our CIS faculty have been selling to SCM students in this course. In fact, more than 70% of the class is about forecasting and predicting. We specifically talk about data quality treatment strategies to reduce forecasting/prediction errors. CIS 4640 -...