Ismail Volkan Kar
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Saglam Metal
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
After leaving Exeter, I fulfilled my military service. Later, I worked as an engineer in the logistics, logistics planning and supply chain departments of various companies, respectively. Since June 2020, I have been working as Logistics Chief at Saglam Metal, which has been active in the metal sector with hard copper alloys production factory and tool steel stock warehouse, servers almost all sectors.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
I have completed my Master on MSc. Engineering and Management (Supply Chain and Logistics). I have always had the chance to apply the quality education we received in Exeter University . For example, one of duty in my current job is to apply the topic of dynamic logistics neural network optimization. Of course, with the support of various software, planning, implementing and controlling material delivery and raw material collections with the lowest cost is very important not only locally but also in the global chain. This brings a good knowledge from the relationship between theoretical aim and practical result.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
The thesis writing phase was very enjoyable, because with my supervisor, we found a thesis topic that examined the relationship between agility in the supply chain and the green supply chain. In an environment where there is no navigation, which is the case with smartphones today, I have studied more than 90 articles and worked on parameters. It was really motivating that we brainstorm one to one with my thesis advisor Stephen Childe.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
First of all, research, cause-effect relationship and reasoning are the skills I have always used until now, gained in my education at Exeter University. The data always change, but the logic is always the same.