Q – What is logistics?

Introduction (Definitions & Redefinitions)

We’ll start with a few definitions of logistics:

According to Dictionary.com it’s:

the planning, implementation, and coordination of the details of a business or other operation.

According to Wikipedia it’s:

the part of supply chain management that deals with the efficient forward and reverse flow of goods, services, and related information from the point of origin to the point of consumption according to the needs of customers.

The first definition is more general, the second a bit more specific to the sector.

Both are pretty much on the money. But there’s a problem. Both sound quite…boring.

Which is why, here at Generation Logistics, we’re putting forward our own definition. Here goes:

An underexposed, often misunderstood sector offering incredible role diversity, great pay, some of the most rapid progression prospects of any career anywhere, delivering complex work that’s essential to the modern world.

Nothing against those first two, but we like ours better.

Opportunity (and Misunderstanding)

As you might have guessed from the previous para, we’re pretty high on logistics as a career pathway. And yes, we’re biassed.

But there’s a good reason for that – it’s not simply hyperbole. Logistics does represent tremendous career opportunities for young people, and it is widely misunderstood.

As research tells us, most people think it’s just lorry driving.

They don’t think (or know) about other modes like rail, air or sea. Nor do they think about all the planning (to an incredible level of detail), the technological innovation and ingenuity, the engineering, the management, the marketing, or sheer business nous that’s making those seemingly simple, A to B jobs possible. They aren’t thinking about how important all these jobs are in the context of our daily lives (food, medicine, EVERYTHING!).

They aren’t thinking about the awesome skill-sets required of the people that are out there getting it done, on the daily.

And they definitely aren’t thinking: hey, maybe that could be me!

But they… actually scratch that….YOU really should be.

So, consider this a crash course into a whole new world of opportunity.

Logistics in depth.

As mentioned logistics is an incredibly diverse sector, made up of all different roles and specialisms. At Generation Logistics, we’ve catalogued these in terms of ‘job families’ just to provide an overview of the different avenues and pathways on offer.

• – Transportation

• – Warehousing

• – Infrastructure

• – Finance

• – Digital Tech

• – Customer Care

• – Solutions Design

• – Engineering

• – Customs & International Trade

• – Operations Excellence

• – Sales & Marketing

• – Human Resources

• – Consultancy

In summary, whatever your interests are, whatever subjects you’re looking to pursue at school or college or university, chances are there’s a logistics specialism that would be a great fit.

To find out more about any of the above areas in more detail, with salary and qualification info to boot, you can check out our job family pages.

A career that matters.

The other thing about logistics – which isn’t the case for all sectors – is that it’s fundamentally important. As in, logistics is the sector that allows other sectors to function.

Take manufacturing for example – nothing can be made if you don’t have the things you need. The components, the ingredients, the raw materials. They are only ever in the right place at the right time thanks to logistics.

Likewise, when you’re in the supermarket, or the pharmacy, or your favourite boutique retailer, the reason there are products on the shelves is because a logistics operation got them there. When you buy something online, it’s able to be shipped to you the next day due to incredible efficiency, technology and innovation in the logistics supply chain.

In short, nothing in the modern global economy happens without logistics.

Making a difference.

But maybe that’s not the importance you had in mind. Perhaps it’s more about the significance of your work. You’d like to have a career with a bigger purpose, which actively helps do good in the world.

Again, logistics can deliver on that too. Humanities logistics is all about delivering crucial supplies to the people and geographies that desperately need them. Think the delicate, temperature controlled transportation of Covid vaccines, think medicines and treatments into conflict zones like those in the Ukraine or Gaza.

These are logistical operations of the utmost importance, and a logistics pathway you could certainly take.

The type of person?

There is no logistics ‘type’. It’s a sector that embraces all comers, all skill sets, all interests.

As you’ll be able to see on our Stories page, there are young people making their own logistics from every walk of life, pursuing their own ambitions. Whether it’s going from a graduate scheme to innovation analyst like Benjamin from GXO, or making a degree in English and Hispanic Studies work for Account Management like Danielle at Maersk, or a direct entry into the workplace like Ross McNichol, who progression from operations into IT via on-the-job training, qualifications and sheer hard work.

If you want to find out more about these stories, and explore our extensive library of others who are realising their career ambitions in logistics, you can do so here.

Want to find out more?

Hopefully we’ve given you a bit of an insight into what logistics is, and why it’s worth exploring when you’re thinking about your career options.

If so, you could do a lot worse than exploring the Generation Logistics site in depth.

As well as further info around job roles, entry pathways and case studies there’s also cool stuff like our Find Your Future Quiz, and live opportunities board, with postings from some of the biggest logistics companies in the world.

Oh, and don’t forget to check out our socials either for all sorts of bitesize content and tips.