Working in supply chain gives you a hands-on role in the success of your business, requiring you to tackle challenges head-on, including keeping up with technological change and improving the quality of goods and services.
It’s no wonder that 88% of supply chain management professionals say it is a rewarding career path.
Business master’s programs can give you the tools to succeed—but it’s not always easy to know where to start. After all, supply chains wind all around the globe; how can you pick the best location for your studies?
Experts on the 18-month MSc in Supply Chain & Purchasing Management program at emlyon business school believe that France is your best bet. Here are the 4 main reasons to study supply chain management in France.
4 Reasons To Study Supply Chain In France
When you think of reasons to study abroad in France, things like the food, the weather, and the culture might be at the top of your list. For aspiring supply chain professionals, however, there are some even more compelling reasons.
1. Its status as a logistics hub
Did you know that France is the second-largest logistics market in Europe, and the sixth-largest globally?
Thanks to its geographical position, bordering seven European countries and with four openings onto the sea, the French logistics industry is robust and growing. The country is home to 150,000 logistics companies with €200 billion in turnover in 2019 alone.
Proximity to multinational businesses and logistics hubs has a big impact on students’ learning and job placement opportunities.
For instance, on the program at emlyon, students take part in a four- to six-month internship at the end of the program, facilitated by the school. Students take up roles such as purchasing manager, operations manager, and supply chain analyst.
The program even boasts a 100% employment rate within six months of graduation,
2. It offers innovative business programs
France is home to many world-renowned universities, emlyon business school among them. The MSc in Supply Chain Management at emlyon is the top-ranked supply chain program in France and the fifth globally.
The curriculum prepares students for the challenges they will face in the dynamic supply chain landscape, starting with fundamental courses covering topics like:
- Extended enterprise
- International trade
- Forecasting and planning
- Business, innovation, and value
- Information systems architecture
- Creativity and critical thinking
In the second semester, students level up to more complex topics, for instance surrounding technology. The program offers cutting-edge courses on data science and Industry 4.0 and how these impact supply chain and purchasing.
Learning on a top-ranking program in a supply chain business hub like France is a golden opportunity for any aspiring supply chain professional.
3. There is a growing focus on sustainability
A sustainable or “green supply chain” is one that reduces the negative impact on the environment of the supply chain process—for example, by reducing water usage, greenhouse gas emissions, or other types of pollution.
The France Supply Chain initiative is made up of 400 companies and 50 prestigious universities and aims to push forward sustainability in supply chain management in France.
As well as learning from initiatives such as these, students on the MSc at emlyon can also learn about sustainability in the curriculum.
In the final semester of the first year of the program, students can take optional advanced courses on either supply chain or purchasing. During this period, students have the option to learn about sustainable supply chain developments.
You could even learn from students and alumni within emlyon’s community. For example, Pedro Prado is a former emlyon business school student who is now the founder of a sustainable logistics startup in Brazil.
4. It offers opportunities for international networking
For many of the same reasons outlined above—chiefly its position as a transport hub in Western Europe—France offers students many opportunities for international networking, for instances as conferences and industry events.
Students on the MSc at emlyon get to experience this during the International Seminar section of the program.
This is a designated opportunity for students to attend conferences and connect with companies, gaining first-hand experience of how the economic landscape influences business strategy and growing their international network.
So, if you're seeking a dynamic career that leverages your problem-solving skills, supply chain management is a highly rewarding path. With its vital role in business success and the constant challenges it presents, this field is engaging and impactful.
Studying supply chain management in France offers leading advantages. From its strategic position as a logistics hub and top-tier educational programs to a strong emphasis on sustainability and abundant networking opportunities, France stands out as a prime location for advancing your supply chain career.
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