For National Career Development Month, CSCR is catching up with recent Penn State Supply Chain and Information Systems (SCIS) alumni and exploring their journey from student to full-time professional. Learn more about 2023 SCIS graduate Ben Krantweiss and his experiences as a supply chain young processional.
Tell us about yourself!
Hi, my name is Ben Krantweiss, and I currently work at KPMG as an Advisory Associate in their Advisory Supply Chain practice.
What career accomplishment are you most proud of?
How do you plan to continue your professional growth?
I’d like to start studying for the CSCP certification as well as potentially pursue a Lean/Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification in the near future. I’d also like to expand my knowledge of sustainable supply chain practices and how companies are incorporating ESG principles into their operations. I believe that creating sustainable supply chains is an area many companies are starting to shift their focus to, and it’s a topic I’m passionate about learning more about. Lastly, I’d like to grow my understanding of how various operating systems work, like SAP and Oracle, and how they can support supply chain efficiency.
What was the biggest success/challenge you faced going from college to your job?
One of the biggest challenges I found was adjusting to a new way of living and a new schedule. Getting used to a regular work week took some time to get accustomed to, compared to life in college where each day looked different with classes at different times and a more flexible schedule.
One of the biggest successes has been building a solid support network in the DC area, which has helped me get acquainted with a new city. I’ve been able to reconnect with friends I made while in my undergrad program and have made some new friends through other Penn State alumni. They’ve helped me feel welcomed to a new place since moving from State College.
Can you speak to the importance of being flexible and adaptable in your career after college?
With businesses and industries still adjusting to a post-pandemic era and economic fluctuations, it’s crucial now more than ever to be flexible and adaptable to changes in your career. I experienced change firsthand when my initial start date was postponed about a year. Rather than wait to begin my career, I chose to pivot and returned to Smeal to pursue a Master’s in Business Analytics. KPMG worked with me and gave me the freedom and support to finish my degree while transitioning into my current role with them. While I did not initially plan to return to get my master’s right after undergrad, that’s what I ended up deciding to do. So far, it has helped me kick start my career with a leg up and important skills that have translated directly into my current role.
What is the most important risk you’ve taken and why?
The most important risk I’ve taken so far was deciding to go back to school to get my master’s degree. I had the option to search for other employment opportunities after my start date was pushed, but I decided going back to school was best for me. This meant postponing a year of work experience and income in the beginning of my career, which I seriously took into consideration. Ultimately, I decided that furthering my education would help me in the long run with my career goals and give me a deeper understanding of analytics, which is a passion of mine. I’ve found since starting at KPMG, I’ve been able to continually sharpen and grow my analytics skills through the work I’ve done thus far. I think it was the right decision for me and I’m pleased with how the degree has helped me in my current position, and I’m sure in future roles as well.
What do you feel you took from Penn State to your current role?
The experiences and teachings from my Smeal classes have been my biggest takeaway. They’ve prepared me quite well for my current role. Many of the topics covered in the supply chain classes are prevalent in the work I do every day. In addition, working on a team is another big skill I learned. Through the various opportunities at Penn State, I was able to get involved and be a part of organizations and extracurriculars that taught me how to collaborate with others in group settings, which is an essential skill I use every day.
What is your dream job if you had no limitations?
I would love to be an outdoor/adventure guide somewhere with great hiking and camping like Colorado or Washington.