Turning Class Lessons into Real Logistics: My Internship at NWA Courier

By Fernanda Ramos

I used to feel small and nervous driving next to trucks… now I just feel grateful for them to be there.

This summer, I’m interning at NWA Courier, and it’s opened my eyes to the real world of supply chain logistics.

Last semester, I took a Transportation & Distribution class with Professor Donnie Williams at the University of Arkansas. In class, some of the things I learned are that transportation and warehousing are key parts of the supply chain. This summer, I got to see it all in action.

From helping in the warehouse to watching drivers plan urgent deliveries, everything I studied started to make sense in real life.

About NWA Courier and My Role

NWA Courier is a time-critical courier service based in Northwest Arkansas. We specialize in the last mile, the most important and often the most unpredictable step in the supply chain. We deliver to hospitals, labs, tech companies, field service providers, and more across Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Chicago....

My role this summer has involved contributing to marketing, operations, logistics planning, recruiting, and technology integration. Each task is directly tied to improving performance, reducing friction, and creating visibility across our supply chain.

What I’ve Done: Real Supply Chain Work

This internship has been fast-paced, hands-on, and deeply educational. Here are just a few ways I’ve supported NWA Courier’s supply chain:

Operations & Logistics

• Observed route planning and dispatch coordination in real time

• Learned how drivers are assigned, scheduled, and supported using e-Courier software

• Participated in warehouse operations: staging inventory, sorting items, prepping time-sensitive shipments

• Studied inventory management practices, understanding how demand fluctuation impacts labor and loading efficiency

• Completed Specimen Handling & Transportation Certification, including HIPAA and Bloodborne Pathogen training

Technology & Data

• Used Open Force for driver onboarding and compliance

• Created blog posts and communication templates that reduce miscommunication and increase transparency

Marketing & Brand Identity

• Improved our Wix website with a modern design, embedded video, and mobile optimization

• Managed social media on all of our platforms

• Created marketing content using Canva for email campaigns, social media, and recruitment

• Managed Google Ads and analyzed performance to boost inbound leads and expand our customer base

• Helped design company shirts and driver ID badges, contributing to driver engagement and brand consistency

Sales, Hiring & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Assisted in recruiting and onboarding new drivers: screened resumes, conducted interviews, and helped select candidates

• Supported sales outreach efforts, learning how customer acquisition and logistics capacity must align

• Collaborated across departments, dispatch, operations, and marketing to maintain service levels and resolve real-time delivery issues

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  +8.8% growth in profile interactions! Excited to see our digital efforts paying off at NWA Courier.

  
  

  Challenges and Lessons

One challenge I faced was seeing how even small miscommunications, like unclear driver notes or missing order details, can slow everything down. In a fast-moving logistics environment, clear communication and follow-through are everything.

I also realized that having the right tools isn’t enough; you need the right processes behind them. If onboarding steps or delivery instructions aren’t consistent, it creates confusion. That’s why I spent time helping improve SOPs and driver materials to keep things running smoothly.

These experiences pushed me to think more like a supply chain professional—looking ahead, solving problems early, and making sure everyone is on the same page.

Thought Leadership: What This Internship Means to Me

Supply chain management is often invisible to the customer, but that’s the point. When it’s working, no one notices. When it fails, everyone does.

This internship has made the supply chain personal. It’s not just about warehouses and transportation; it’s about building resilient systems that serve people. I’ve seen how technology, communication, and trust keep our operations running smoothly, even during the unexpected.

This summer has confirmed that I want to pursue a career in supply chain management and Marketing. I’m excited to keep building my skills, applying what I’ve learned, and helping design supply chains that are smarter, faster, and more human.

#Waltonsupplychain #SupplyChainU @J.B. Hunt Transport Department of Supply Chain Management at the University of Arkansas