The Early-Career Guide to CHAINge North America 2025
By Rochisshil Varma - Media Partner | August 19, 2025
Why students, new grads, and young entrepreneurs should be in Columbus this September
Did you know the average age of a supply chain professional is now 46, and 3 out of 4 companies are actively hiring younger, tech-savvy talent? AI, automation and sustainability are rewriting the rules of the industry — and numerous roles are being created that didn’t exist three years ago.
If you’re early in your supply chain journey — student, new grad, analyst, founder or just “supply-chain-curious"
That’s exactly what CHAINge North America (Sept 9-10, Columbus, Ohio) delivers: two high-energy days where you’ll discover how leading organizations are winning today, meet people who hire and mentor, and leave with actionable plays.
These conversations won’t be on YouTube. If you’re not in the room, you’re missing the chance to connect with the people shaping the future of supply chain.
Why CHAINge Is Built for You
Practical > theoretical
No “someday” ideas here. You’ll learn the field-tested methods supply chain teams are using right now, with metrics, quick frameworks and “what we’d do differently” takeaways.
Cross-industry perspective
Hear from leaders in retail, tech, health care, manufacturing and logistics — because innovation often comes from looking outside your own lane.
Learn your way
Enjoy short keynotes, expert panels, hands-on workshops, use-case theaters and the Innovation Tech Showcase (fast demos of next-gen tools).
Real people, real time
From structured roundtables to coffee-break meetups, you’ll actually get face time with executives, practitioners and founders.
Career momentum
Leave with new skills, a stronger network, and a portfolio of projects and insights you can show to hiring managers or investors.
What You’ll Learn (and Use Immediately)
- AI with ROI: Forecasting, planning copilots, network design and automation that’s beyond the pilot stage
- Planning and orchestration: Aligning demand and supply, building buffers, and scenario modeling disruptions
- Supplier and logistics resilience: Multisourcing, nearshoring trade-offs and cutting out last-mile headaches
- Sustainability that sticks: Circularity, emissions reduction and practical ESG reporting steps
- Leadership for early careers. Stakeholder management, data storytelling and earning credibility quickly
Who You’ll Meet
- Mentors and hiring managers actively scouting early-career talent
- Product leaders and startup founders building tools you’ll be using in the near-term
- Peers who speak your language and could become long-term collaborators
Pro Tip: Come with three problems you’re trying to solve (for example: "first S&OP project," "inventory turns," "how to break into planning") to turn small talk into high-value conversations.
Students and Young Entrepreneurs: Why This Is YOUR Room
- Students/new grads: Turn coursework into outcomes, connect with mentors and speak the language of hiring managers.
- Analysts/early pros: Get proven frameworks you can bring back to work and the confidence to lead initiatives.
- Founders/builders: See market direction, test your idea with practitioners and find design partners.
Make the Trip Work (Budget and ROI Tips)
- Use code ROCHI200 for a $200 discount.
- Room-share to reduce cost or pick the official block for flexibility.
- Ask a professor or manager to treat CHAINge as a capstone project; then, offer a post-event briefing in return.
- Set a personal ROI goal (“Meet one mentor and one collaborator,” or “Find two ideas to save 10 hours/month”).
The Takeaway
Opportunities in supply chain are shifting fast and directly toward those who learn, adapt and share at speed. CHAINge North America 2025 gives early-career pros the context, skills and connections to lead that change, all in just two days.
Don’t just watch the change happen. Be a part of it.
Sept 9-10, Columbus, Ohio
Bring curiosity, good questions and comfortable shoes. The rest follows.
