Under the Knife: APICS helps students build, choose career of dreams

Advancing Productivity, Innovation and Competitive Success is not a very well-known organization on campus, but one that is very helpful to those that utilize it.

With a focus in operations management, the Geneseo chapter of APICS works to provide students with access to educational programs, networking opportunities and other resources that will help build a strong career.

Arranging tours of local facilities is a unique way that APICS provides students with educational programming. In the past, APICS has toured the Barilla Pasta plant, the High Falls Brewery, Hickey Freeman and the Greater Rochester International Airport. All of these experiences exposed students to different career opportunities along with different working environments based in operations management.

"The best aspect of the APICS student chapter is touring different facilities," said Patrick O'Reilly, a current member of APICS. "Not only does it offer us a chance to see how different businesses operate given their individual resources, but it also affords us the opportunity to ask professionals what operational procedures work best for them."

Members can take advantage of many networking opportunities throughout the organization. "The networking opportunities that APICS provides you with are invaluable," said Rebecca Schwartz, a senior and current president of APICS. "Through Rochester parent chapter meetings and regional meetings, members can meet business professionals from all different places around New York State. This is especially important in such a rough economy."

Bringing speakers to campus is another way that APICS provides educational programming. Speakers come to share their experience in their given field and build a knowledge base for those students who are willing to listen. Most recently, Larry Maggio, president of the APICS Rochester chapter, came to Geneseo's career night to talk about his experience in operations management.

APICS provides great opportunities to explore the field of operations management in a unique way. If you are interested in becoming a member, e-mail apics@geneseo.edu for more information.