When you order that next-day delivery from Amazon, you might not think about the intricate logistics network that makes it happen, but for Connor Thorpe, ensuring those trucks are packed to capacity is all in a day's work.

The road to mastering logistics at Amazon began with a significant pivot in Thorpe’s academic pursuits, one that ultimately set the stage for his career in finance.

Thorpe's journey began at the University of North Georgia, where he initially studied physical therapy. However, recognizing his passion for business and the desire to remain closer to his family in the Atlanta area, he transitioned to Georgia State University’s Robinson College of Business, where he graduated in 2018 with a B.B.A. in finance.

"I’ve always been family-oriented," Thorpe said. "Both my wife and I are from here. Staying in Atlanta gave me access to businesses and industries after graduation, and it’s where I wanted to build my life."

Thorpe participated in Robinson’s 2016 Panthers on Wall Street program. Over the course of several months, he and his peers attended trainings and met with accounting and consulting professionals, all in preparation for the highlight of the program: a trip to New York City’s financial district. The experience made such an impression on Thorpe that he serves as a Panthers on Wall Street mentor, interviews applicants, and helps in the selection process.

"Some people I met through the program were in my wedding party. It was that impactful," he said.

After earning his bachelor’s, Thorpe first worked as a senior financial analyst at Red Bull and then a financial planning and analysis manager at Acorns, a financial wellness app. Thorpe transitioned to Amazon last August to work as a finance manager as part of the company’s North America Surface Transportation team.

"My role is to track the fill rate and cost associated with middle-mile tractor trailers—those Amazon trucks you see on the highway," he explained. "I work with the operations teams across the U.S. and Canada to ensure trailers are filled to capacity."

Thorpe is optimistic about the future of corporate finance, even as artificial intelligence reshapes industries.

"AI isn’t a threat in corporate finance the way it might be in trading or investment banking," he said. "In my role, I bridge gaps and interpret data, which still requires a human touch."