As Caleb Jones tackles tricky topics in his global supply chain management (GSCM) classes, being personally accountable is his priority. Jones says this proactive approach has helped him grow and apply the things he learns to his studies as well as his personal life.
“I feel like I’ve been able to grow much more because I’m constantly focusing on my own accountability and not trying to push off accountability on others,” says Jones, a native of Centerville, Utah. “I’m always trying to think of what I can do to continually improve in any area of my life.”
Part of Jones’ philosophy means being responsible for his time through intentional planning. He schedules time for his work (both as a TA and as a member of the Global Supply Chain Association presidency), schoolwork, scripture study, and his social life—then he reviews the time he spends on each category to see if there’s any room for improvement.
“If I’m dedicating a lot of time in one area of my life, but not so much in another area, I might need to reprioritize,” Jones says. He recently realized that he wasn’t planning enough time for spiritual activities. So, he shifted around his schedule and dedicated more time for scripture study and temple attendance.
Intentionality has helped not only with his schedule but also with his classes and various areas of his life, Jones explains. “The tools that I’ve gained and skills that I’ve developed from supply chain classes—like negotiations, planning, being a really active listener, empathy—have carried over to my personal life and benefit me in more ways than I probably recognize.”
Even when the content isn’t transferrable, he says his studies help him practice perseverance. Jones recalls when he needed to learn programming for an analytics course. “It just kind of went over my head,” he says. “At first I had no idea what was going on—I could have easily given up.” Jones decided to take accountability for his studies and put in extra time studying, until, finally, “at one point, it just clicked.”
“Being able to just persevere through a certain period of discomfort and not knowing how to do something helped me push through, and everything kind of fell into place,” he says.
Jones credits his intentional actions and learning for preparing him to apply—and receive a job offer—at Sunrise Technologies. “Sunrise Technologies works with a number of different companies,” he says. “It’s very project based, very dynamic, and the problems they encounter are new.”
He looks forward to tackling those problems with the skills he has learned at BYU Marriott. “I’ve gained a deeper ability to think critically in regard to more ambiguous problems,” he says. “I now have a set of tools: frameworks and more technical skills that I can approach problems with, and I believe those are going to be super helpful throughout my career.”
