By TYLER ELLYSON
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – Caleb Hoadley is the kind of guy who can walk into a room full of strangers and leave with 15 new friends.
He loves talking to people and creating connections.
That’s why he’s a perfect fit for the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s industrial distribution program.
“My personality lines up well with what this program teaches you to do,” said Hoadley, who graduates Friday with a bachelor’s degree in industrial distribution and a minor in military science. “It teaches you to build those relationships – and build them to last – so you can have really good partnerships between your company and the companies you’re serving.”
UNK is a national leader in the industrial distribution field, offering a specialized program that prepares students for careers in technical sales and management. Graduates play a vital role in the global supply chain, ensuring businesses have the inventory and tools they need to operate. You can find them in a variety of industries, from agriculture, automotive and aerospace to building construction, electronics, health care and power transmission.
“With ID, you can go into almost any industry,” Hoadley said. “And the professors here do a really good job of touching on a lot of different industries so you at least have the basics of it. It’s more like a mile wide and an inch deep, rather than an inch wide and a mile deep, which is really nice because it helps you learn what industry you want to go into.”
The UNK industrial distribution program has strong relationships with industry organizations and companies across all sectors, so the curriculum is designed to meet today’s needs and produce professionals who are ready to tackle the newest challenges.
These program partners are represented during guest lectures, career fairs, sales competitions and networking events; their products fill a branch simulation lab where UNK students gain real-world skills without leaving campus; and their financial support provides scholarships for industrial distribution majors.
“There are a ton of companies that come to campus to meet with students, give us advice and talk about the industry,” Hoadley said. “We definitely get a lot of exposure to them while we’re still going through school. There are so many companies that are trying to get into our career fairs that we have to start turning them away because we simply don’t have room for them.”
HIGH-DEMAND HIRE
Industrial distribution majors are consistently among the most highly recruited students on campus, whether they’re looking for a summer internship during college or full-time employment. The program boasts a nearly 100% job placement rate for graduates.
“If you want to know that you’re going to have a job, ID is the place to go. It’s almost guaranteed that you’re going to have at least one job offer before graduation,” said Hoadley, who had a total of eight employment offers. “There is such a need for salespeople in this industry.”
The Columbus native completed his internship last summer, working as a sales representative for Uline in Omaha. Offering more than 42,000 products, the company is a leading distributor of shipping, industrial and packaging materials to businesses throughout North America.
The opportunity to take the knowledge and skills he gained in the classroom and implement them in a real-world setting was “huge” for Hoadley.
“We learn so much while we’re in school, but it’s kind of hard to put it in perspective until you’re actually out in the field,” he said. “The internship allows us to experience what we’ll actually be doing after graduation. For me, it was confirmation that this is the right career.”
After his internship, Hoadley was hired for a part-time position with MSC Industrial Supply, one of the largest industrial distributors in the U.S. The $4 billion company provides metalworking and maintenance, repair and operations products and services, with more than 2 million product offerings.
Hoadley works directly with Kearney-based Parker Hannifin, supplying personal protective equipment for employees working at the global manufacturer of filtration products. He already accepted a full-time position with MSC Industrial Supply, keeping him at Parker Hannifin as the in-plant solutions specialist.
“I’m beyond excited and ready to get my career going,” Hoadley said. “I feel very prepared. I really do genuinely think that ID does a great job of preparing students and letting them know what to expect in their careers.”
MILITARY LEADER
Alejandro Cahis, a lecturer in the UNK industrial distribution program, calls Hoadley a leader inside and outside the classroom. He was the “go-to guy” during program events and sales competitions.
“Caleb is a very reliable student, always willing to help and step up whenever he’s needed,” Cahis said. “His discipline and responsibility set an example for the rest of his classmates. He was never afraid of taking on new responsibilities or challenges, no matter how uncomfortable the situation was. He keeps pushing forward.”
Those traits are also apparent in his other role.
Hoadley has served in the Nebraska Army National Guard since 2019 and he was part of the Army ROTC program at UNK.
“I take a lot of pride in that,” said Hoadley, an indirect fire support specialist with the 1-134th Cavalry Squadron. “It’s not something that everybody wants to do, but it’s something that I really enjoy. Not only that, but you’re helping people out and you’re part of something bigger than yourself.”
After graduation, Hoadley will be commissioned as an officer in the Army National Guard, where he’ll lead a platoon of cavalry scouts trained in reconnaissance. He’ll continue serving his state and country for at least six years.
“I think he will be a great leader in the Army,” said Capt. Jon Policky, an assistant professor and department chair who oversees the military science and ROTC programs. “With his personal skill set and the ability to relate to people, managing soldiers will come naturally.”
