Enhancing His Professional Experience with Quality Education
Last Updated October 24, 2024
With over 30 years of experience in the areas of transportation logistics, warehouse operations and last mile delivery, Norman W. Staples is a supply chain veteran. He is also a lifelong learner. Having earned two bachelor’s degrees in Business and in Management, Staples understands the challenges to continues one’s education while working full time and raising a family.
It’s these challenges that “spun me into taking on one last feat – to gain a Master Certificate in Supply Chain Management and Operations from MSU,” he says.
“As an adult learner, and one of diverse background, you are constantly challenged to dig-deep into thought,” explains Staples. “I am proud to say that this program has opened my thought selections in tackling current and future projects.”
As a Transportation Manager at McLane Company, Inc., a supply chain services provider in the grocery and foodservice industry, Staples says, “I’ve already felt the differences in how the master certificate has supported my post-education [career].”
“My peers as well as upper management recognize this accomplishment and have come to me for specific ideas on what I’ve learned,” he explains. “There’s a feeling within me that ‘I’ve arrived’ in offering-up my education along with my years of experiences…”
The Fun in Solving Problems and Finding Solutions
New ideas Staples has gained and is applying include planning and forecasting supply chain scenarios, his favorite takeaway from the certificate program.
“I can put together scatterplots, look for linear regression solutions now, understand short run and long run concepts—to name a few,” he says. “It makes it fun to solve a problem with such knowledge given to me from Professor Talluri.”
The opportunity to learn from the leading faculty of the top-ranked supply chain program was a deciding factor for Staples in choosing MSU’s online Master Certificate in Supply Chain Management and Operations.
“MSU has a great supply chain school within the Broad College of Business, and it ranks high in best-in-class for colleges that offer Logistics and SCM curriculums,” he says.
The convenience of a 100% online program was additionally important. “I had experiences of online coursework while gaining my bachelors…a combination of classroom and online together,” Staples explains. “MSU was a breeze because I had gained the discipline for online classes.”
To those who are unsure about the online program, feeling they may lack the discipline needed without the set time and location of a physical classroom, Staples sets the example for how to be proactive and engaged in the online classroom.
“I make sure that my professors answer questions outside of the lecture times using discussion boards and email,” he emphasizes.
Staples also advises fellow SCM professionals considering the program to not hold so tightly to what they already know, but to be open to the new knowledge and skills they stand to gain.
“Loosen up, you adult learners who have done things a certain way in your years of acquired skill sets, that are behind you, [and] you will be awakened to learn advanced ways in solving SCM issues,” he reiterates. “It brings the fun back in finding solutions.”
“Keep On Pressing”
It is this proactive, positive approach as a lifelong learner that continues to drive Norman Staples forward in his career. Having earned his Master Certificate, Staples’ next goal is “landing a senior role soon.”
Continual professional growth and achievement are the reasons for “my sacrifice in obtaining this education as an adult learner—not an easy task to raise a family [and] gain education at the same time as putting a kid through college!”
His son is a senior at Tuskegee University, the private HBCU in Alabama that was home to scientist George Washington Carver and the famed Tuskegee Airmen.
Staples’ own determination and confidence continue to serve as his motivation to succeed, and he hopes inspire his son, as well as fellow adult learners putting in the work to be seen—and succeed.
“As one of diverse background, I have seen glass ceilings in the workplace, where sometimes it’s harder to make a statement in an interview or at time of promotion, but you keep on pressing and find ways to overcome and affirm to the hiring managers that you are that choice candidate. When taking on solid years of being the best knowledge worker or top leader, combined with quality education, one cannot be denied that they can take a team to the next level—this is where I sit today!”
Learn more about MSU’s online Supply Chain Management Certificate programs
