This photo of Tyler Giza standing under a bridge in Tucson, Arizona, tells you a lot about the 2018 Henry Ford II High School graduate. He’s inquisitive about how things work and he pays attention to detail. That made him an ideal candidate for Macomb’s Global Supply Chain Management Program.
“I’ve always been curious about how components get from one place to another,” says Giza, who just completed his first year at Macomb on his way toward an Associate of Business Administration Degree in Global Supply Chain Management. “I emailed Professor (Patrick) Greek when my sister told me about this program. He has become my mentor.”
Upon Greek’s recommendation, Giza participated in Wayne State University’s Supply Chain Case Competition, sponsored by Ford Motor Company, earlier this year. Giza was the only community college student on his team, which was faced with the task of solving a supply chain dilemma: a shortage of one type of widget and a surplus of another. His team’s solution involved modifying older parts until the new ones could be delivered, allowing production to continue. Out of 12 teams, Giza’s took first place.
“That was a pretty great experience,” he says. “It really sold me on supply chain management. It is an up-and-coming career that is expected to grow by seven percent. It doesn’t matter whether its frozen dinners or automobiles, every company depends on its supply chain.”
Just as he did his research before deciding on a career, Giza is also determined to learn as much as he can about the automotive industry, in which he expects to begin working after graduating from Macomb. He will be attending the Center for Automotive Research Management Seminars, held in Traverse City each summer, on a scholarship from the organization. Speakers will include executive leadership and researchers from General Motors, Ford, Daimler, Nissan, Honda, U.S. Department of Energy, Magna International, Delphi Technologies and the University of Michigan, to name just a few. Topics will focus on the future direction of the automotive industry, with ample opportunities for students to network with prospective employers.
“I’m looking for flexibility in a career,” says Giza, who intends to transfer to Wayne State University after he graduates from Macomb to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Global Supply Chain Management. “At Macomb, I’ve had a lot of engaging professors, like Professor Greek, and they’ve kept things interesting. I’ve been able to save money and get a feel for what supply chain management is really like.”
Giza, who works full time as a cook at Lakeside Family Restaurant, also participated in the Inforum Breakfast in downtown Detroit in January. It’s held each year during the North American International Auto Show and is intended to raise awareness among college students about leadership opportunities in the automotive industry. For his part, Giza has no doubt about what those opportunities will involve.
“I think autonomous vehicles are the future,” he says. “The vibe I get is that it will happen.”