After earning his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the Universidad del Noroeste, Raul Maya began working in logistics. He’s stayed in the field throughout his career but has had the opportunity to work in different environments, such as in the warehouse for General Motors and currently in the retail industry as the Senior Director of Engineering (Automation & Innovation) for Luxottica. (You can think Raul for shipping your favorite pair of Ray-Bans to you!) We recently caught up with Raul to see how he is using perspective gained from UTC’s CSCP Certification Review course to enhance his supply chain career.
Marah: What made you decide to pursue a supply chain certification, specifically CSCP?
Raul: I have worked in logistics for 15 years. If f I’ve learned anything throughout that time, it’s that supply chain is always changing. I decided it was time to refresh and update my knowledge of supply chain concepts. During the pandemic, I was spending more time at home and decided it was the perfect time to go after certification. I chose CSCP so I could gain a more holistic view of supply chain operations overall.
M: What are the big takeaways you have from the course?
R: As I mentioned, I wanted a broader view of supply chain. I have focused solely on the warehousing part of logistics, like storing and receiving, for most of my career. By attending the course, I was able to learn about what’s going on in supply chain outside of my company’s four walls. Many of my colleagues were from different industries; the variety allowed me to learn from their diverse experiences and implement what I learned into my role. For example, there are many complex challenges that come within areas such as transportation and forecasting. My eyes were open as I learned how others have approached (or would approach) various challenges.
M: Did you enjoy interactions with your instructor?
R: Absolutely. Chris Barnes was a great instructor. I really liked his interactive teaching style and how he created an atmosphere of participation. He always asked people to share their real-world experiences and encouraged the class to talk about current supply chain events. I especially enjoyed the activities Chris led using Kahoot!. Now I use Kahoot! with my colleagues in my current job because it creates a fun sense of competition and helps participants engage in an enjoyable way!
M: What advice would you give to someone who is considering taking UTC’s CSCP course?
R: The main recommendation I have is to take as much advantage of the materials as possible. The books are helpful, but the online materials students have access to were EXTREMELY helpful to me. I would prepare for the next class session beforehand by reading and taking pretests over what we were planning to cover. Don’t just take the class to get a piece of paper; take advantage of all the points of view being shared and learn from them!
M: How did you prepare for the CSCP certification exam? What helped you be successful?
Practice tests were a valuable tool while preparing for the exam. Pay attention to Chris’s recommendation as well. He shared tons of test-taking recommendations and information on topics that tend to pop up more frequently on the exam.
M: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your UTC experience?
R: I highly recommend the course. While you can prep for the exam on your own, the networking interactions and insight you gain from personal conversations in a prep course are highly valuable. Prepping for certification is a great way to get back to the books and refresh your skillset!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Marah Whitaker (think Laura with an M) serves as the marketing assistant for the UTC Center for Professional Education. During the workday, she spends time writing blog posts, creating content for social media, developing email campaigns, and building relationships with CPE’s customer base. During her free time, you can find her getting lost in a good book, having spontaneous dance parties, playing piano, and going to Buffalo Wild Wings on Wing Night. Professionally and personally, she aspires to live by Mr. Feeny’s advice, “Dream. Believe. Try. Do Good.” She strives to use her passions to serve others and contribute positively to the world around her.
Connect with Marah on LinkedIn.