What is the career path for logistics?

Most working in the logistics field have obtained at least a bachelor's degree in one of the following majors:

• Logistics

• Supply chain management

• General business

Some are able to obtain work in the field with only an associate's degree. However, this is becoming less common, and those with associate's degrees in logistics have less of a chance at career advancement and higher-paying roles than those with bachelor's or master's degrees do.

There are many different certifications that can help a professional to advance on one of the logistics career paths. The most respected professional certifications in logistics are administered by the Association of Supply Chain Managers (ASCM), and the Institute for Supply Management (ISM).

Here are some of the good certifications for logistics professionals that can be obtained from the ASCM, ISM, and other sources:

• ASCM Certified in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution (CLTD)

• ASCM Certified Supply Chain Professional certification (CSCP)

• ASCM Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR-P)

• Certified Six Sigma (CSS)

• NCMA Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM)

• ISM Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)

Here are some important skills for logistics professionals to have that can help them to advance on their career path:

• 3PL

• Analysis skills

• Bilingual

• Communication skills

• Computer skills

• Customer service

• ERP systems

• English

• Leadership

• Logistics

• Management

• Manufacturing