Bluffton University

Intro to logistics

09/15/2023

Trey Clemons is looking forward to having a job where he isn’t sitting behind a desk all day and the stability provided by the supply chain management field.

Paid internship confirms career goal

Coming to Bluffton, Trey Clemons ’24, a business administration and marketing double major from Cincinnati, Ohio, knew he wanted to pursue a career in supply chain management.

A paid summer internship at TQL, a freight brokerage and third-party logistics firm, confirmed his career aspirations. For 10 weeks, Clemons shadowed a freight broker and helped manage his accounts.

“It was a good introduction to the logistics world,” said Clemons. “TQL really exposed me to the business.” 

TQL has more than 50 offices across the country. Clemons worked in the Cincy North office in West Chester, Ohio. While supply chain management can include moving freight via air or water, his internship focused on roadways. 

“Anything from hazmats to groceries. They move absolutely everything and have a lot of experience with different lanes – semi-trucks, flat beds, 53-foot vans,” said Clemons. “You see semis out on the road, and you don’t really think about where they came from or where they are going. Now, I wonder what they’re moving. It changes your perspective.” 

At Bluffton, Clemons is completing a concentration in supply chain management online through a unique program with a consortium of schools. Classes such as Forecasting Logistics and Supply Chain Management helped prepare him for the internship. Now, in his senior year, he’s taking a supply chain capstone class.

“There’s so much to learn and I’m still learning new stuff each week,” Clemons said of the class.

On campus, appreciates the mentorship of business department professors including Brienne Sprunger, Jonathan Burkhart and Gary Schiefer. He also enjoys the connections he’s made with other Cincinnati-area students including graduate Miguel Ringer ’23, Cameron Rogers ’24 and William Layfield ’26. 

“The people here have just been super nice, especially since I’m from two hours away,” said Clemons. “Having other students from Cincinnati introduce me to a lot of my friends and also be on the basketball team with me, has helped me spread my wings.” 

This year, Clemons is excited to return to the court after sitting out his junior year of basketball to rehabilitate from injuries. 

“I was an athlete my whole life so last year was a big change,” said Clemons. “I got really into lifting and changing my body up. I’m trying to prevent injuries big time.” 

Following graduation, Clemons plans to return to Bluffton to earn his MBA.