The supply chain field is a good career choice, according to nearly all respondents (99%) in a new survey.

The report, released Tuesday during the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) annual conference, collected responses from hundreds of supply chain professionals aged 30 and younger. Ninety-five percent of respondents say they’re excited to have a career in the supply chain field, and 97% would recommend others consider supply chain as a career. 

"As a leading employer, these results are very encouraging as we seek to recruit, hire and develop a diverse group of future supply chain leaders," stated Karyn Troxell, vice president of human resources at Penske Logistics. "The pandemic has clearly elevated society's attention to careers in the supply chain and it has also resonated with a purpose-driven generation of young professionals working in our industry." 

This year, 58% of respondents said they chose to pursue a supply chain career due to the impact supply chain roles have in business and their tangible impact on outcomes. This is a significant increase from the 13% who cited this reason in 2019 and the 10% who noted it in 2017. The number of respondents entering the industry due to first-hand exposure, 38%, also increased over previous studies. 

"Supply chain has become a dinner conversation in peoples' homes,” said Melissa Hadhazy, senior client partner at consulting firm Korn Ferry. “That is getting people interested in degrees in the supply chain, and it has opened their eyes to the tech companies and how they can support supply chains." 

Young supply chain professionals said they are eager to continue their education on the job, and 95% of respondents expressed excitement for their development track and training opportunities. Young professionals generally remain satisfied with the compensation they receive, with 86% saying they earn enough to live on, 75% saying they are comfortable, and 48% saying they are well paid. 

Overall, respondents reported that they are happy with their current employers, and they said they are staying at their current employer due to the work environment-culture or co-workers (60%), development opportunities (60%), and the salary and benefits (53%). 

CSCMP’s Young Professionals Report was authored by Korn Ferry and sponsored by Penske Logistics.