Five young adults gather around a conference table with open laptops, talking and smiling during a collaborative meeting. A wall sign behind them reads “Allegion – Pioneering Safety,” suggesting a workplace or corporate training setting. 

Your journey at Ball State is defined by more than just academic excellence. We provide a dynamic environment where you transition from a student to a logistics professional through direct engagement with the global marketplace. By participating in our immersive programs, you will gain the technical proficiency and leadership skills required to navigate the complexities of modern commerce.  

We provide a structured pathway to professional placement through targeted recruitment and preparation activities. These efforts ensure you are highly competitive in the global job market.

  • Credit-Bearing Internships: Gain professional experience through structured roles at leading organizations, ensuring your academic learning is reinforced by industry practice. One of the priorities for the Oz Nelson Center is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to find an internship that fits their interests and career aspirations.

  • Resume and Interview Workshops: Engage in specialized coaching sessions tailored to the logistics and operations sectors, focusing on highlighting your technical certifications and project results.

  • Dedicated Recruitment Fairs: Attend exclusive events where top-tier employers come specifically to recruit Ball State talent for internships and full-time roles. We work with many of the top organizations in the field to connect students to employers. Our goal is to have every student in our program connected with their future employer by the time they graduate.

Students gain a competitive edge by transforming classroom concepts into data-driven results for real businesses. These immersive opportunities allow you to solve complex challenges while mastering the strategic tools required to optimize global operations.

  • Capstone Projects: Work in a student-led consulting team to analyze a partner company's real-world data and present actionable solutions for their supply chain.

  • Case Competitions: Compete against peer institutions to solve complex logistics puzzles under tight deadlines, often presenting to panels of industry executives.

  • In-Class Simulations: Participate in hands-on workshops where you map processes, identify waste, and redesign workflows to achieve peak operational efficiency.

Building a professional identity requires consistent interaction with the people and places that drive the economy. These activities provide a behind-the-scenes look at global commerce.

  • Executive Guest Speakers: Attend regular sessions with supply chain leaders who discuss emerging trends in the industry and how you can prepare yourself to become a leader in logistics, operations management, and supply chain.

  • Behind-the-Scenes Site Visits: Tour advanced distribution centers, manufacturing plants, and intermodal hubs to see how massive networks are managed in real time.

  • Professional Networking Events: Participate in targeted networking events featuring senior leaders and recruiters who hire for top tier roles. These sessions offer a unique opportunity to discuss career paths and industry expectations in a collaborative, small group setting.

A Community Built for Success

A group of eight smiling young adults sit and stand around a table indoors, waving and gesturing enthusiastically toward the camera. They appear diverse in ethnicity and style, wearing mostly red and casual clothing. Large windows and a hanging light fixture are visible behind them, and their reflections can be seen on the glossy tabletop in the foreground.When you join this program, you become part of a supportive and highly engaged community dedicated to your professional growth. We ensure that you have the resources and peer connections necessary to thrive through both digital and student-led platforms.

 

Dedicated Canvas Community: You will gain access to an exclusive digital hub designed specifically for logistics and supply chain management students. This platform serves as your central resource for program updates, internship postings, and collaborative discussions with your peers and faculty. It ensures that you stay connected and informed throughout your academic journey.

Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) Student Group: You can take an active leadership role by joining our ASCM student chapter. This organization provides a unique space for students to organize their own activities, from peer-led study groups to specialized industry experiences. By participating in these student-led initiatives, you build leadership skills while fostering a network of colleagues who will support you throughout your career.