"The training I got at EAE has helped me to perform my job at DHL"
17 de April de 2018
17 de April de 2018
Through the Professional Careers Service, EAE Business School helps its students to make their way into the employment market, where they can put into practice the knowledge and skills they have acquired in the classroom. Isabel MuƱoz, a student on the Master in Supply Chain & Logistics, is a clear example of the effectiveness of EAE's Employment Portal. After applying for a position offered by DHL, the multinational quickly got in touch with her so that she could join the team in Valencia.
When Isabel started the Master at the School, one of her goals was to complement her training in Business Administration and Management before embarking on her professional career in the logistics sector. Joining DHL has enabled her to achieve one of her objectives and cross it off the list.
First of all, tell us how the opportunity to join DHL came up?
In February, I joined the team at DHL Freight. This opportunity came up thanks to EAE's Employment Portal, where I saw the vacancy that the company for the terminal in Valencia. I couldn't let a chance like that pass me by! Just like that, the opportunity to work in one of the world's leading freight forwarders fell into my lap.
DHL is one of the most important logistics companies at an international level. Apart from the company's great sway in the logistics sector, what led you to submit your application?
As you point out, DHL ranks among the leading logistics operator in the world. Without a doubt, that was one of the aspects that most attracted me to the company, but that is not the whole story. Another great feature of DHL is that it ranks among the leading companies in the Great Place to Work league table.
What was the selection process like?
They were really quick to contact me. Just a day after submitting my application for the job offer, they called me from DHL's Human Resources department. During the conversation on the telephone, they wanted to find out about me and my curriculum. A few hours later, the Terminal Manager of DHL Freight in Valencia got in touch to arrange a personal interview. After going to Valencia for an interview, they told me that I had been selected. Right from the first day, they were friendly and approachable to me!
How have you settled into the company?
My induction into the company couldn't have gone better. I have settled in really quickly. Right from day one, I feel like just another member of the team. I feel completely integrated with the rest of my colleagues and I enjoy the really pleasant working atmosphere.
What is your day-to-day work like? Tell us about your position and your everyday duties.
Over the working day, I carry out operations in the export groupage department. Ā My duties include providing support to my two colleagues and, between the three of us, we take charge of consolidating all our clients' freight through two daily feeders to Barcelona, as well as occasional trailers on a direct route to France or Germany.
What were your expectations when you first joined DHL? Are they being met?
From the beginning, I wanted to join the world of logistics and begin my professional experience in the sector. The experience is completely meeting my expectations!
DHL recently presented a report entitled 'Digitization and supply chains Ā Where are we now and where are we going?'. The report showed the company's commitment to incorporating new technologies, such as robots and augmented reality and the Internet of Things, to innovate in the supply chain. After your experience at the company and the knowledge you gained on the Master, how are new technologies revolutionizing the supply chain sector and what changes do you think we will see in the future?
As the report highlights, new technologies are increasingly being developed at a faster rate to be applied in industries. In this respect, robotics, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, blockchain and Big Data are technologies that modify the traditional supply chain. Faced with these challenges, companies have to adapt in terms of their supply chain operations and strategies.
As emphasized by the author of the report, Lisa Harrington, digitization is here to stay. Having a supply chain digitization strategy is essential for embracing the new technological scene and carving out a path that enables you to reap benefits and remain a market leader.
At DHL, we are already applying a lot of new logistics development, such as augmented reality in its warehouses, which helps to achieve greater efficiency in terms of carrying out orders. Another of the new logistics development implemented by DHL are warehouse robots.Ā They enable us to improve picking times, as well as providing support for employees on certain tasks. Moreover, the new sensors provide real-time information, so DHL makes use of the Internet of Things.
In the future, there will be lots of changes in the supply chain. DHL is always investigating future technologies in order to achieve a supply chain that is constantly efficient and effective at the same time.
Ā What are the company's values that you most identify with?
DHL has different values, but the motto we have in common is "Living with responsibility". Ā This can be applied in loads of different areas within the company. In my opinion, the most important values would be openness, trust and respect for colleagues. Business success is achieved by attaining an active environment, free from prejudices, discrimination and stereotypes. DHL fulfils all these requirements.
This is your first professional experience in the logistics sector, isn't it? Why did you decide to go into this area?
I haven't had the opportunity to work in the logistics sector previously. I have a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration and Management. During my training, I took some courses related to distribution and logistics, but I felt I wanted to broaden my knowledge in the sector. Logistics is a sector that is growing due to it opening up into foreign markets and ecommerce.
In this respect, what led you to take the Master in Supply Chain & Logistics?
I took the Master because it was the ideal complement to my knowledge, as well as being a really valuable addition to my professional career. My aim was to specialize in the flow between companies and their respective suppliers and customers.
What aspects of the Master would you highlight?
First and foremost, I would highlight the academic faculty, who are specialists in the supply chain sector, as well as magnificent and extremely approachable people. I have always been able to count on their support for any enquiry or problem. With respect to the classes on the Master in Supply Chain & Logistics, they were very dynamic, with lots of real practical case studies that brought the reality of companies into the classrooms.
Beyond the training, what will you take away with you from time at EAE?
I'm taking so many things away with me! Most importantly, I would say my classmates. Many of them have become friends and I have learned loads from them as they come from other countries. Secondly, the School always gave us the opportunity to go to Trade Fairs, Logistics Congresses and take part in workshops, such as the Soft Skills program.
Moreover, EAE's Welcome Week was an incredible experience, which gave us the chance to meet people from other Masters.
Are you applying the knowledge acquired on the Master in practice?
Of course, I am applying knowledge acquired on the Master, particularly with respect to the shipping course. For instance, the lecturer Ricardo de Vera taught us what costs and expenses you have to add to the fleets depending on the incoterms, as well as the documentation required to export freight by sea, air and land. You never know whether you are going to be able to apply everything you learn on the Master in the real world but, in my case the training I received at EAE has enabled me to perform my job at DHL.
On this program, you have the opportunity to get SCPRO Level One certification from the CSCMP Spain global organization. Would you like to sit the examination?
I wouldn't rule it out in the future, but my priority right now is to continue broadening my professional career and gaining more experience in the sector.
What are your objectives in the short and long term after finishing the Master?
My objective in the short term is to develop my professional career within the world of logistics. So far, I have been on the right path working for a company like DHL!
With respect to my long-term objectives, I would like to keep training to acquire new knowledge in the supply chain sector. Learning other languages is another one of my objectives. I would love to be able to head a supply chain department some day!
To finish off, would you recommend EAE? Why?
Of course, I would! The training that EAE offers is very comprehensive. The classes are complemented my practical case studies presented by great lecturers. Moreover, the networking activities organized by the School give us the opportunity to meet lots of professionals with extensive experience and get feedback from them.