Careers: logistics coordinator, logistics manager, truck driver, forklift operator, and freight dispatcher. Majors: Supply Chain Management, Logistics and Distribution, Transportation Management, Operations Management, and Aviation.
College majors for transportation and logistics
Supply Chain Management
Studies how products are sourced, made, stored and delivered to customers.
Logistics and Distribution
Focuses on moving and storing goods efficiently through warehouses and transportation networks.
Transportation Management
Teaches you to plan and manage the movement of freight and passengers.
Operations Management
Studies how organizations produce goods and services efficiently and with high quality.
Aviation
Covers flying, airport and airline operations, and aviation management.
International Business
Studies how companies trade, operate and compete across countries.
Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology
Teaches you to maintain diesel trucks, buses and heavy equipment.
Careers in transportation and logistics
Logistics Coordinator
Plan and track how products move from suppliers to customers, on time and on budget.
- Typical training: 1–4 years
Logistics Manager
Run the warehouses and transportation that move goods to customers.
- Typical training: 5+ years of experience
Truck Driver
Haul freight safely across town or across the country with a CDL.
- Typical training: 3–7 weeks
Forklift Operator
Move, stack and load materials safely with forklifts and other powered trucks.
- Typical training: 1–5 days
Freight Dispatcher
Plan loads, route drivers and keep freight moving on schedule.
- Typical training: 1–3 months
Warehouse Associate
Receive, pick, pack and ship orders that keep stores and customers supplied.
- Typical training: Days (on the job)
Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Track what comes in and goes out of warehouses, stores and plants.
- Typical training: 1–4 weeks
Delivery Driver
Deliver packages and goods to homes and businesses on a daily route.
- Typical training: 1–2 weeks
Hand Packer
Pack products by hand for shipping and sale.
- Typical training: A few days on the job
Skills these careers use
- Shipping documentation
- Route planning
- Transportation and carrier management
- Inventory and order management
- Logistics software (TMS, WMS, ERP)
- Warehouse management
Minors that fit this interest
- Supply Chain Management: Adds knowledge of purchasing, inventory and logistics.
Start building skills now
A self-paced online course on what logistics coordinators do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: transportation and carrier management, inventory and order management, and shipping documentation
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Transportation and Logistics
A self-paced online course on what logistics managers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: warehouse management, transportation management, and inventory control
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Transportation and Logistics
A self-paced online course on what truck drivers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: commercial vehicle operation, pre-trip inspections, and hours-of-service compliance
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Transportation and Logistics
A self-paced online course on what forklift operators do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: forklift and reach truck operation, load handling and stacking, and pre-shift inspection
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Transportation and Logistics
Transportation and Logistics: frequently asked questions
What careers are there in transportation and logistics?
Careers connected to transportation and logistics include logistics coordinator, logistics manager, truck driver, forklift operator, freight dispatcher, warehouse associate, shipping and receiving clerk, and delivery driver.
What should I major in if I am interested in transportation and logistics?
Majors connected to transportation and logistics include Supply Chain Management, Logistics and Distribution, Transportation Management, Operations Management, Aviation, and International Business. Compare what each includes, the skills it builds and where it leads.
What transportation and logistics careers do not require a four-year degree?
Examples include logistics manager, truck driver, forklift operator, freight dispatcher, warehouse associate, and shipping and receiving clerk. They typically start with a high school diploma, a certificate, an associate degree, an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.
Which transportation and logistics careers usually require a bachelor’s degree or more?
Examples include logistics coordinator and airline pilot. Some also need a license or certification.
What skills do you need for a career in transportation and logistics?
Skills that come up often in these careers include shipping documentation, route planning, transportation and carrier management, inventory and order management, logistics software (TMS, WMS, ERP), and warehouse management, along with communication and problem solving.
What minors fit an interest in transportation and logistics?
Minors connected to transportation and logistics include Supply Chain Management.
How do I start a career in transportation and logistics?
Learn about the careers in the field, choose one or two that fit you, check the education or training each requires, and build practical knowledge early through classes, part-time work, volunteering or short career training.
Can I explore transportation and logistics careers before choosing a college major?
Yes. Career profiles, job shadowing and short online career training let you learn what jobs in transportation and logistics involve before you commit to a major or program.
Does Career Education Institute offer training related to transportation and logistics?
Yes. Related online trainings include Logistics Coordinator Training, Logistics Manager Training, Truck Driver Training, and Forklift Operator Training. They are general, non-credit courses that teach what a job involves; they do not grant a degree or license.
Which colleges offer programs related to transportation and logistics?
Use the college search to find U.S. colleges that report awarding degrees in related majors, filtered by state, city, ZIP code, online programs and type of school.