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Author: Bradley Lellis | President of Transportation & Logistics Club
Major: Transportation & Logistics Management
Graduation: May 2026
My internships at the Port of Oakland (Summer 2024) and Bio-Rad (Summer 2025) gave me the opportunity to apply what I learned in the School of Business and Economics in two very different, real-world environments. In both experiences, I found that the most valuable skills I brought with me were rooted not in any single class, but in a combination of analytical thinking, communication, and adaptability that the program consistently emphasizes.
One area that had a particularly strong impact on my professional development was coursework in Intermodal and International Transportation, Transportation Fundamentals and Supply Chain Management. At the Port of Oakland, I was able to see firsthand how global logistics systems function, and concepts like process flow, efficiency optimization, and bottleneck analysis became tangible rather than theoretical. What stood out to me was how often concepts that we learned and discussed in class were brought up as real-world issues, especially in a busy and complex environment of a Port.
Similarly, at Bio-Rad, my experience reinforced the importance of data-driven decision-making and clear communication. Courses focused on statistics and accounting helped me interpret data, but more importantly, they taught me how to present insights in a way that stakeholders could understand and act on. The knowledge that Kyle and Rachel have passed to me, especially with regards to Excel and Payment Terms, were key pieces of this internship.
Whether working in a team setting or sharing updates with supervisors, I found that strong communication skills, something consistently emphasized through presentations and group work in class, were extremely critical in a professional environment.
Beyond specific concepts, one of the most impactful aspects of my education has been the emphasis on collaboration. Group projects, case studies, and class discussions helped me develop the ability to work effectively with diverse perspectives, which translated directly into both internships. In professional settings, success is rarely individual, and being able to contribute meaningfully within a team proved invaluable.
Overall, my experiences at the Port of Oakland and Bio-Rad highlighted how well the School of Business and Economics prepares students to bridge the gap between theory and practice. The skills I developed in the classroom provide us with the confidence and entry level knowledge to begin working and expanding our skillset at the professional level.
