Meet Haley Himmelreich, a supply chain and information systems third-year who is minoring in information systems management. Haley recently shared about her time at the Penn State Smeal College of Business and her experiences as a supply chain student.
What excites you about a career in supply chain?
I love how many opportunities there are within supply chain. There is truly so much you can do with a supply chain degree. I especially love the continuous improvement aspect of supply chain. The supply chain industry is constantly evolving allowing so much opportunity for continuous improvement and innovation.
What internship experience have you gained while at Penn State?
The summer of 2023, I was a supply chain wholesale intern with The Restaurant Store, a division of Clark Associates. In this position, I was trained in each department of the store: sales, hospitality, fulfillment, procurement, operations, and merchandising. I also created and executed a project for the store involving top stock and eliminating time inefficiencies. Since May, I’ve been with Clark Associates as a purchasing intern. In this position, I take on some of the daily responsibilities of a vendor analyst. Some of the projects I work on include pricing strategies and stocking strategies, and new items adds. This summer, I’ll be at Henkel as a continuous improvement and logistics intern.
What organizations are you involved in within Smeal and at Penn State?
I’m involved in many volunteer groups on campus. I am on-site coordinator for the Student Red Cross Club. In addition, I’m a member of ServeState which is a student organization committed to service and philanthropy. For THON 2024, I was a security leader for a Rules & Regulations Committee and this year I am a part of an operations committee. Within Smeal, I am a part of the Supply Chain Management Association and I’m currently doing a research project with Sigma Chi Mu Tau (SCMT).
How has Smeal and CSCR prepared you to make an impact outside the classroom?
Smeal has prepared me for my future career by offering opportunities outside of the classroom to gain real-world supply chain experience. Through my research project with SCMT, I’ve been able to use my classroom knowledge and apply it to a real project in the industry. My SCIS professors have encouraged me to think critically when approaching complex problems. Smeal also places a strong emphasis on honor and integrity, that I’ll carry with me into the workforce.
What is your favorite part about being a supply chain student at Smeal?
There are so many opportunities to hear from industry leaders and the networking opportunities within Smeal are endless. I’ve gotten to speak to many supply chain professionals and hear about their experience in the industry. These conversations have opened up so many doors for me and have given me a better understanding of what careers in supply chain I can pursue.
What is your favorite Penn State memory?
My favorite Penn State memory is THON 2024. It’s such a privilege to be a part of the largest student run philanthropy. THON weekend is truly an amazing experience that cannot be put into words.