ABINGTON, Pa. — Two years ago, the Project and Supply Chain Management (PSCM) program wasn’t even on Lorenz Merard’s radar, but this spring he earned a degree in the major from Penn State Abington thanks in part to three faculty. After getting to know him, the trio was convinced PSCM was a great fit for Merard's talents, so they decided to bring it up to him.
"It was a different path for me, but it clicked. I'm so happy they talked to me because I'm really passionate about it," the Philadelphia resident said.
Merard said he credits two pillars of the Abington Experience — internships and leadership development — with sharpening his skills and clarifying his path. The Abington Experience is the campus's roadmap for launching students from college to career — and in his case to his first professional position in Texas at Lockheed Martin, which builds defense and aerospace systems worldwide.
An internship at Arkema, a global chemical manufacturer, gave the first-generation college student real-world experience that validated his career choice and equipped him with concrete examples to highlight in job interviews. Merard also has been serving on the board of governors of the Traffic Club of Philadelphia, a transportation, supply chain, and logistics industry organization spanning Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
But those conversations with faculty set him on a path defined by two things: an instinct for showing up and a refusal to let opportunities pass him by.
Unconventional internship path
Merard’s success is a direct result of developing campus connections and networking, including at other colleges across Greater Philadelphia and attending company tours and industry events. Penn State's campuses share supply chain opportunities, with information flowing between them and creating a broader network of student connections.
The same day he was scheduled to join a student tour of Arkema, an Abington professor told him he should apply for an internship at the company. Coincidentally, he met the Arkema internship contact during the tour, and things unfolded from there.
"I was in the right place at the right time,” he said. “It wasn't the traditional method of finding an internship, but I met professionals in different industries, and it opened doors. Networking saved my life."
At Arkema, Merard worked on cross-functional projects with teams across the United States and Canada, supporting inventory tracking, building presentations for the sales team on product location, and contributing to quarterly meetings where teams discussed product strategy.
"It was very hands-on. I was working with real data and projects. I also had a lot of small conversations with people at Arkema who gave me advice on my career path,” he said. “My internship propelled me forward."
The Greater Philadelphia advantage
Merard attended career fairs at University Park, which all Abington students can access along with other recruiting opportunities. But Abington’s location less than five miles from Philadelphia, a hub of the East Coast’s transportation and logistics industry, was a game changer, he said.
"Being at Abington gave me the Penn State education and credentials but also let me build relationships in the Philadelphia supply chain community," he noted.
Building leadership skills
The Abington Experience also provided valuable leadership development opportunities. Merard served as academic director on the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments, which connects students at all Penn State campuses.
"It made me comfortable talking to a group, speaking up, and not leaving my opinions to the side," he said. "It helped me learn to say what's on my mind, which also works in corporate meetings, where if you don't speak up, you're not seen as productive."
His role on the Traffic Club of Philadelphia's board of governors has sharpened those skills, he noted, while giving him a platform to advocate for students and young professionals in the field, which ties into his advice for students.
"Everyone is human no matter their road," he said. "Don't be afraid to ask questions. You might feel insecure in the moment, but if you don't ask, you won't learn anything."
About Penn State Abington
Penn State Abington, home to nearly 3,000 students and just minutes from Philadelphia, offers four-year degrees and NCAA Division III athletics. The Abington Experience launches students from campus to career through internships, leadership development, academic travel and faculty-led research. Penn State Abington — where the city's energy meets the best of the suburbs.