ART - EssayEthics 2007

The document is an essay written by Eileen Miller, a Purchasing Management Analyst, for NIGP's 11th Annual Ethics Essay Contest. The essay reflects on the author's experiences working in procurement and draws parallels between those experiences and lessons learned from picking cherries in her family's orchard. The author emphasizes the importance of ethics and integrity in procurement and the obligation to mentor and train others in the field. The essay also discusses the impending workforce shortage in procurement and the need to share knowledge and train the next generation. The author encourages procurement professionals to stay informed, detect unethical behavior, and educate others to prevent improprieties. The essay concludes by urging readers to leave a positive legacy in their agencies through their professionalism, ethics, and training efforts.