At Axle Logistics, investing in the next generation of industry leaders is part of who we are. Through a partnership with the University of Tennessee, the SCM 430 course gives students the opportunity to step beyond the classroom and into a professional environment.
Throughout the first half of the semester, students spent time gaining exposure to the pace, communication, and problem-solving that drive daily operations.
Getting a Firsthand Look
One of the most valuable parts of SCM 430 is the opportunity for students to experience the industry from the inside. Being surrounded by professionals and real conversations gives students a perspective that can’t be replicated in a traditional classroom.
For Addison Hooks, the experience quickly exceeded her expectations.
“I expected to mainly learn about logistics concepts in a classroom setting, but the first half has been much more hands-on than I thought. It’s been a great mix of learning and seeing how things actually work in a real third-party logistics environment.”
As students observed how teams communicate and make decisions throughout the day, many of them began to recognize just how quickly things move.
“What surprised me most is how quickly things move and how many decisions have to be made in real time to keep operations running smoothly,” Addison shared.
Developing Confidence Through Experience
Beyond learning about the industry, the course also encourages students to develop confidence and resilience in a professional setting.
For Christian Vilter, one of the biggest challenges early on was learning how to handle rejection during cold calls. While it tested his confidence at first, the experience ultimately helped him develop a stronger mindset and become more comfortable putting himself out there.
Over time, those moments became opportunities to learn instead of setbacks.
Christian also shared that the experience shifted how he views his future career path. Originally, he didn’t see himself going into sales, but spending time in the environment helped him discover how much he enjoys the competitive and relationship-driven side of the industry.
Another aspect that stood out to him was the culture at Axle Logistics.
“Being immersed in Axle’s culture has made my experience great so far. Everyone actually wants to help you and see you succeed. It doesn’t feel like people are just showing up to get through the day. People are supportive and willing to invest in each other.”
Stepping Into Their Roles as Interns
The first phase of the course concluded with SMART Goal presentations, where students reflected on what they learned and how they plan to apply those lessons moving forward. But for many of them, this is only the beginning.
Many of these students will now continue their experience through paid internships at Axle Logistics during the second half of the semester.
This next phase allows them to spend more time alongside their teams, gaining deeper insight into daily operations while continuing to build the skills they developed during the course.
Addison shared that she’s especially excited to spend more time learning directly from her team lead and getting more involved on the floor.
“I’m most excited to see how the operation runs day to day and continue learning from my team lead while taking on more responsibility. The few times I’ve sat down on the floor have been really enjoyable, and I’m excited for more of it.”
Christian is also looking forward to building on what he has already learned. He shared that Ryan Ross has already provided valuable insight, and he’s excited to continue learning from him while getting to know more of the team.
Carrying the Momentum Forward
SCM 430 creates a meaningful opportunity for students to connect what they learn in the classroom with real experience. By gaining exposure to a professional environment early in their careers, students leave with a stronger understanding of what it takes to succeed.
As these students move into the internship portion of the program, they’ll continue building on what they’ve learned while gaining even deeper experience alongside their teams. We’re excited to see how this group continues to grow.
