Just two years after earning his degree in project and supply chain management from Penn State Wilkes-Barre, Logan Baseski is continuing to grow in his career working for PepsiCo.
By: Goldie Van Horn
Alumnus working for PepsiCo after successful internship there
Just two years after graduating from Penn State Wilkes-Barre, Logan Baseski is continuing to grow in his supply chain career working for a major corporation.
Baseski, who earned his degree in project and supply chain management in 2021, is a daily operations supply chain leader in the transportation department for PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division. Based at the company’s Kirkwood, New York, facility, he oversees about 75 employees in daily traffic operations.
“I make sure everything is going accordingly and our runs are being dispatched on time,” said Baseski, a native of Shavertown who now lives in Olyphant. “I also work with our dispatch team and drivers if they have questions or concerns while on the road.”
He moved into his position after completing an internship with Frito-Lay in the summer of 2020, after which he received a full-time job offer.
“I went to a Penn State career fair at the Woodlands in 2019, as a sophomore. I wanted to see who in the area was looking for supply chain interns,” he recalled. “I saw PepsiCo and recognized the brand, so I turned in my resume. I got a call a day or two later for an interview. After a few interviews, including the final one at Frito-Lay in Kirkwood, New York, I was offered an internship for the summer of 2020.”
After the COVID-19 pandemic began, Baseski was unsure if he would still be able to complete the internship, but he learned he would be able to do it virtually.
“Going into that summer, it was really nice knowing I had an internship lined up,” he said. “After that summer internship, I received a full-time job offer once I graduated. Going into my senior year of college, I already had a full-time job lined up. It gave me certainty and I didn’t have to worry about looking for a job after I graduated.”
When he started college, he initially planned to spend his first two years at Penn State Wilkes-Barre before transitioning to University Park. However, Baseski decided to spend all four years at Penn State Wilkes-Barre after the local campus began offering the project and supply chain management bachelor’s degree program during his sophomore year.
“It was a huge win for me to be able to stay home and still have that Penn State degree,” he said.
Baseski said the preparation he received both in and out of the classroom at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, including assistance from Career Services to help build his résumé, helped prepare him for his internship and position.
“I really appreciated that Penn State Wilkes-Barre offered practical classes on what to expect going into the workforce. I learned things that I use every day in my job,” he said. “The projects I worked on in college also taught me about how to work cross-functionally with other people. Going to local businesses and presenting the projects I was working on for school helped prepare me for the day-to-day tasks I complete now.”
“I was able to excel in a smaller classroom with more of a connection with my professors,” Baseski continued. “It was great to be able to go to them for help whenever I needed. In particular, Mrs. (Theresa) Clemente was instrumental for me from day one. I had her for all four years and I was able to go to her with classroom or scheduling questions or for advice with my internship. It was very helpful to have that connection.”
Outside of work, Baseski, who graduated from Dallas High School, has had several developments in his personal life. He and his wife, Julia, got married in June 2021 and purchased their first home in May 2022.
“Getting the job I have has enabled me to do a lot of things I didn’t necessarily anticipate, being so young,” Baseski said. “I’m so thankful for how Penn State Wilkes-Barre prepared me for this position and future positions I will have within PepsiCo.”
He encouraged students in the project and supply chain program to work closely with faculty members and take advantage of the opportunities that Penn State Wilkes-Barre provides.
“Continue to develop a relationship with your professors and use the resources Penn State Wilkes-Barre offers, including the Career Services office,” he advised. “Don’t be afraid to get out there and take a chance. It could be worth it, like it definitely was for me with PepsiCo. Originally, I was hesitant about going to that career fair since I was only a sophomore, but that led to me getting the internship that led to my position post-graduation.”
