PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. - For Tirzah Gabourel, Broward College’s Supply Chain Management program removed career obstacles and opened the door to new opportunities, both in that field and information technology.

Gabourel already worked in supply chain management but found that the lack of a college degree was creating a roadblock for further advancement.

“It became a pain point for me, not only professionally but also personally, because I couldn’t overcome those obstacles without formal education,” she said.

Gabourel said the coursework was invaluable in learning about topics like reverse logistics, the process in which goods go back from the consumer to the manufacturer. She implemented what she was learning in class at her job and began moving up. Not wanting to lose the momentum from earning her bachelor’s degree in 2017, within a week of graduation she was accepted into Florida International University’s engineering/industrial management graduate program.

Pivoting from supply management to IT provided a promotion opportunity, and Gabourel was able to leverage her skills in a new field. She currently works as director of IT at ZimVie, a dental implant manufacturer based in Palm Beach Gardens. The role encompasses leading major projects, including the implementation of Oracle cloud systems in 13 countries.

Gabourel recently shared her insights with current supply chain management students at a talk on the Judson A. Samuels South Campus on how AI is impacting supply chains. She outlined both the pros and cons of using AI as she took questions from the audience.

Dr. Tuly Badillo, one of Gabourel’s professors, said the supply chain management program prepares students for a future‑ready career at the center of global business, data, and sustainability. Badillo said she was proud of her former student’s success.

“Tirzah is an excellent example of how the supply chain management degree prepared her for a high‑impact career that combined strategy, technology, and real‑world problem solving at her company,” Badillo said.

Despite earning a master’s degree and now working toward a doctorate, Gabourel said she was most proud of her Broward College bachelor’s degree.

“I was thankful for the opportunity to speak to students,” Gabourel said. “I love Broward College. It truly is the degree that changed the trajectory of my personal and professional life.”

-BC-