Rising Stars: Meet Jenna Weiner of C.H. Robinson

For many students, senior year of college is a time to hang out with friends and enjoy their last year of freedom before starting the grind of a 9-5 job. For Ohio State senior Jenna Weiner, senior year was an opportunity to get a head start on her career in supply chain, extending her summer internship at global logistics company, C.H. Robinson, into a part-time job. With that dedication, it should come as no surprise that less than a decade later, Jenna is a Key Account Manager working alongside some of the people she interned for. We caught up with Jenna to discuss the early days of her career,  balancing a full college class load with her responsibilities at C.H. Robinson, and why she loves working in logistics.

Describe yourself in high school. Were you more of a student or an athlete?

I was highly focused on school, relationships, and extracurriculars. I was on a competitive dance team, but it wasn't a life goal. It was more of a place to be with friends and something to occupy my time after school, giving me that team mentality.

I grew up in New Jersey and have been in Ohio since I graduated high school in 2013 until last week. I went to Ohio State for four years and then decided to stay there. I would describe myself up until college as more of an extroverted introvert. I could be personable and hold a conversation, but I was never the person to start the conversation. That changed when I got to Ohio and realized I needed to put myself out there to make friends in a new place.

The next semester, I really challenged myself and said, “I'm not going to get out of my bubble if I don't make a change here.” So I switched overnight. Looking back, it's hard to believe how timid I was in high school compared to how outgoing and sociable I am now. Being a people person is a huge part of my career, dealing with people, and talking through tough issues by using relationships.

When did you start thinking about a career in supply chain?

I was always interested in business. I looked at 14 different big state schools and ended up choosing between Kelley School of Business at Indiana and Fisher College of Business at Ohio State. I chose OSU and earned my degree in business administration with a specialization in logistics. There were a few other options—accounting, finance, marketing—but none of those spoke to me. I knew I didn't want to do finance. My mom's a CPA, and I didn't want to do that. I was looking towards logistics management or operations management. I took a logistics class, loved the professor, and ended up choosing that path.

The summer before my senior year, I was looking for internships in logistics. I was on LinkedIn and reached out to the C.H. Robinson recruiter for the Northeast because I knew I would be in New Jersey that summer. Coincidentally, there was a career fair at Ohio State that week, so I went to meet the recruiter for the Central Ohio area. The meeting went well, and she called the recruiter in the Northeast. Consequently, I secured an internship in Secaucus, New Jersey, and spent the summer commuting from my home in Marlboro.

How was that experience as a summer intern?

It was great. Coincidentally, the two people who managed me during that internship later became significant leaders in my career. One moved to Ohio and became my boss for four years, and the other is now in Philly. It's interesting how the people I met eight years ago are still important in my life today.

During the internship, I spent time with our sales team, capacity team (who work directly with the carriers), and customer team. This exposure helped me decide what role I wanted after graduation. I ended up staying with C.H. Robinson because of the great experience I had working at the company and worked through my senior year of college.

I have to ask: Why not just be a normal college student and worry about your career after graduation?

There was something in me that knew this was the career path I wanted to be on. It's hard to speak to emotions from eight years ago, but I knew that I would enjoy working more than sitting in class or doing anything else. I was able to work 18 hours a week at the Columbus office of C.H. Robinson, going in on my days off or after class, and continuing my internship as a part-time job.

What did your friends think as they were going out to parties while you worked 18 hours a week?

I was surrounded by driven people with a similar mindset, but I also embraced a work-hard, play-hard mentality. I don't feel like I missed out on anything. You go to class a few hours a day, but you have a lot of free time within the 40-hour workweek. So I had time to work and enjoy my senior year.

Did you slide into a full-time role after college?

Yes, I started full-time in May. It was great because I had already built relationships internally and externally that I still hold today.

Did you give yourself any time off after graduation?

At the time, they had a two-week training program where everyone goes to corporate. It's a great networking event, but I asked to skip it because I didn't want to lose two weeks of work.

What do you like about C.H. Robinson so much that’s caused you to remain there almost a decade past your internship?

The logistics industry can be challenging – but that is what makes it exciting. When you're at a company where you enjoy the people you work with and the customer relationships, it makes those “non-glamorous” parts that come with any job not that important. I thoroughly enjoy my job because I get to combine the business side of what I learned in college with industry expertise and relationship-building.

Can you describe your average day?

As a Key Account Manager, I work with strategic-sized customers to navigate supply chain disruptions and minimize cost fluctuations. I see myself as an extension of their team, understanding their needs and the big picture of what their company is trying to achieve. When I'm doing reviews or discussions, I ensure what we're talking about aligns with the company's strategic direction, whether that's sustainability or cost reductions.

How is it being among the younger people in your industry?

When I was hired in May 2017, I was an Account Manager. After 18 months, I was promoted to Key Account Manager. I was 23, which was on the younger side of the company. It was a transition from working part-time with mentors to being in an equal position a year or two later. I went from being on the team to running the team and calling the shots on my accounts. It was a struggle and an interesting learning experience, especially as a young woman in a male-dominated industry, but C.H. Robinson is a great company that empowers women and embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Did you find anyone who took you under their wing or mentors that were helpful along the way?

I had a lot of mentors in Columbus who helped train me from when I was part-time to where I am now. Tricia Harkins, our Corporate Senior Manager of Global Forwarding Account Management, is an incredible female leader and role model. She played a crucial role in helping me network across CH Robinson's divisions. 

How do you feel about the overall health of the supply chain industry?

I am happy with the company, the leaders, and the way the industry is evolving. The way we used to do things is changing, and I'm learning new methods. I was part of an internal program at Robinson for Key Account Managers, which allowed me to network and meet people across the country. It was inspiring to meet different people performing at a high level.

Have you done any mentoring to get younger people involved?

I love empowering people, especially women on my team. It's a personal initiative of mine, especially now that I've moved to a new office, to get to know people of all levels. I don't view job titles as a hierarchy. I want to find, develop, and mentor people who want to be mentored.

You just moved back east to work in the Philly/NYC offices at C.H. Robinson. What led to that move?

It was family-motivated but also encouraging for work. It's great to continue my career in a new office with a whole new network in addition to the two I already had.

What would you say to a college student trying to figure out their career?

If you don’t know the direction you want to go in, the path less traveled could have the most opportunities. An up-and-coming industry that isn't glamorous might be the most fruitful. Finding something that combines educational technical skills with your personality is important. I'm not someone who would do well typing at a computer all day.

There's a belief that supply chain jobs are boring. Do you agree?

The No. 1 thing I want to convey about my career is that my personality has set me apart in terms of progression. Anyone can crunch numbers, but building trusting, long-term relationships with customers is crucial. Logistics can be stressful, especially during fluctuations like COVID, but those relationships make the good times better. We celebrate with our customers when we hit milestones and enjoy the journey together.

Lastly, what do you like to do for fun when you're not working?

I'm a big reader—crime mysteries are my favorite. I also love my Peloton and all things Ohio State.