My Experience as an Logistics Intern at Allen Lund Company & How it relates to the Supply Chain Management Field

One of the main reasons I chose to attend the University of Arkansas was the ample opportunities in the Supply Chain Management field. Ranked in the top 5 for the past 4 years, it was an obvious choice. This decision has opened numerous career doors for me, leading to an internship at Allen Lund, a prestigious company specializing in the transportation of dry, refrigerated, and flatbed freight.

My role as an Logistics Intern

My first seven weeks at Allen Lund in the Dallas office have been amazing, and I have learned a lot. I love working at Allen Lund because of the trust they place in their employees. They provide detailed explanations of procedures and policies but also allow you to learn on the job. I thrive under pressure, and it's reassuring to know they have my back if I make a mistake. It's also fun working alongside other interns from surrounding SEC schools.

In my internship, I am responsible for dispatching carriers across various U.S. lanes, ensuring they have all the correct information about their loads. I also assist in updating Allen Lund's customers with crucial information, such as delays or issues like produce quality rejections. Additionally, I handle contacting carriers for the correct paperwork, including BOLs and PODs, to ensure proper invoicing for both them and our customers. Moreover, I set appointments for our office's lanes when they aren't pre-scheduled in our system.

How the UofA prepared me for my Internship

In the Spring of 2024, I took Intro to Supply Chain Management, where I learned a lot. I gained insights into Less Than Truckload and Full Truckload logistics, including order numbers and how to read and understand a rate confirmation sheet. This knowledge has been invaluable in scheduling appointments and explaining information to carriers over the phone or via email.

In class, we also covered driver regulations, such as the requirement for drivers to have eight consecutive hours of off-duty time before starting a shift and the maximum of 15 consecutive hours on duty after that. This has been beneficial when communicating with truck drivers and dispatching them. Additionally, we learned about truck weight limits, with the maximum gross vehicle weight for a full truckload (FTL) on the Interstate System being 80,000 pounds. This understanding has helped when carriers arrive at the shipper and get loaded or when advising carriers based on the rate confirmation.

Overall, the supply chain terminology and concepts covered in SCMT 2103 at the University of Arkansas have given me a significant advantage over other interns, as I was well-versed in the language and practices of the industry before starting my internship.

Things I have learned from my Internship

Interning at Allen Lund has taught me so much, and I am incredibly grateful for the experience. Working during the 4th of July week and the busy summer produce season has given me a deep understanding of freight movement rates. I've learned how national holidays lead to increased freight to meet customer demand.

Primarily working on the produce side, I've gained extensive knowledge about reefer temperatures and requirements, such as pre-cooling, center or side chutes, and specific temperature needs for different produce items during transit. A seemingly small but significant adjustment for me was learning military time, which is crucial in the 24/7 supply chain industry.

Understanding military time has streamlined my work, especially when coordinating multiple lanes across the country. I've learned to estimate travel times from Point A to Point B, determining whether a solo driver can handle a route or if a team is necessary. Calculating competitive rates for customers has also been essential, factoring in fuel costs, mileage, and average weight to stay competitive.

I've also been introduced to the prevalence of scammers in the industry, posing as legitimate carriers to hijack loads. My bosses at Allen Lund have taught me the processes and procedures to verify carriers' legitimacy and recognize red flags during interactions.

Conclusion

Overall, I have loved my internship experience at Allen Lund. Working under professionals with over 10 years of industry experience has been invaluable. They have provided me with not only industry insights but also life advice. I have gained a wealth of knowledge about Supply Chain Management that will be crucial for my future career.

With only three weeks left, I am deeply saddened, but I am also incredibly happy and grateful for everything I have learned over the past seven weeks. Interning at Allen Lund has made me even more excited for a career in the Supply Chain Industry and has confirmed that attending the University of Arkansas was one of the best decisions I have ever made.