Joslynn Day: Marine, mom, master’s student

Josslynn Day

Joslynn Day leads a busy life. As a supply officer in the Marine Corps and a member of the Department of State, she spends her days coordinating medevacs for U.S. personnel in foreign countries, which include politically-turbulent regions such as Afghanistan and, most recently, Ukraine. The job understandably has its stresses, but a remote work format and a shift from active duty into the reserves has helped Day keep on top of her responsibilities. Which is a good thing, too, as Day’s responsibilities aren’t only found within her career, but also the virtual classroom and at home.

Day started her educational journey at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in fall 2020 by enrolling in its Master’s of Science in Integrated Supply Chain Management program and has been making steady progress toward her degree ever since.

“I liked how UW-Platteville is a yellow-ribbon school,” Day said, referring to the program that helps military students pay for tuition not covered by the GI Bill. “That was a factor in choosing to go here. Also, the supply chain curriculum Platteville offers is very nice, and I feel once I graduate I’ll be very well-versed to succeed in the field.”

Another factor contributing to Day’s current success in the program is the attention she receives from its dedicated faculty.

“I’ve enjoyed every one of my professors so far,” Day said. “In my experience, if I reach out to them they will help me out no problem. If there’s an emergency, they’re generous in granting extra time to complete coursework requirements.”

With a team of faculty behind her, Day intends to finish all required coursework by spring 2024. Upon graduating, she plans to find work as a facilities management professional, though this goal wasn’t always her original plan.

“I’ve actually changed a little on my goals since starting the program,” Day said. “I originally planned to go into logistics, but I’m now leaning toward facilities management. I’d still love to work in logistics, because that’s what my background is in, but through my classes I’m starting to think I have more of a mind for facilities management.”

Regardless which route she decides to take, Day feels confident she’s on the right path forward. Her interest in supply chain management continues to grow the more she’s exposed to it, and while some may view the responsibilities inherent of the profession as complex and difficult, Day finds the intricacies fun.

“I think supply chain is very interesting,” said Day. “It’s like a puzzle, in that you have to figure out the how, when, and where of items arriving. It’s pretty fun working as a supply officer in the Marine Corps, as you really start to gain a love for supply and all the kooky stuff that goes along with it.”

Yet even as she continues to excel in her classes and career, Day never forgets her main responsibility: being a mom to her two sons. Juggling a job, school and family can understandably be difficult, but if Day’s classes have taught her anything, it’s how to manage a lot of moving parts. This way, she never loses sight of what’s truly important.