Student Spotlight: Joe Bushnell
With his methodical nature coupled with a deep curiosity about the world around him, Joe Bushnell is perfectly suited for a career in logistics — though he didn’t always know it himself. Instead, it was a Navy supervisor who noticed his natural aptitude for planning, and recruited the young soldier for his first job in the field.
"I was working in Personnel Management, helping to forecast what we needed for parts and supplies. After doing the job for seven years, I knew I was going to stay in the field. I already had a strong foundation, so I decided I might as well go ahead and get my master’s degree."
Joe’s timing was perfect. He enrolled in Embry-Riddle’s Master of Science in Management degree program, choosing integrated logistics as his focus. Then the university launched a new degree: the MS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. With the encouragement of his professor and mentor, Dr. Bernard, Joe switched to the new program and began developing his knowledge of logistics at a much deeper level.
Through Dr. Bernard’s tutoring and mentor program, I was able to do things I never thought I could, including linear programs, ANOVA regression and statistical process control analysis. He inspired me to start my own research on total cost of ownership in project management and economic order quantity. Now, we’re working on that research together and are actually going to have it published.
In addition to conducting research, Joe quickly learned to apply his new knowledge on the job, implementing a number of new purchasing tactics that reduced his department’s costs significantly. Soon enough, friends and colleagues at major aviation companies started calling him for advice. Despite his extensive experience in the field, Joe attributes his expertise to his degree’s comprehensive curriculum.
"I worked in logistics for seven years before starting the degree. I picked up a lot on the job, but I never even came close to the understanding that I have now. When it comes to grasping the big picture, that all came from my coursework."
Joe retired from the Navy in October of 2009, and is now focusing on the next step in his logistics career: a doctorate degree. He hopes to become a professor one day, so he can serve as a leader and mentor to other rising stars in the field, the way that Dr. Bernard did for him. Until then, there may be another dream job out there.
"The Navy Reserves is looking for a Supply Officer. They want someone who has an understanding of the total cost of ownership. I am walking in with a master’s degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, plus, I am literally writing the book on total cost of ownership. All in all, I’d say I’ve got a pretty good shot!"