2018 Best MBAs: Sheldon Anderson, Purdue University (Krannert)

Sheldon Anderson

Krannert School of Management, Purdue University

Engineer | Team Player | Family | Analytical| Leader | Community | Innovative | Ambitious| God-Fearing

Age: 28

Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Fun fact about yourself: I love to travel! I’ve visited nearly 10 countries across 4 continents in 2017 alone. All with my beautiful fiancée of over 6 years.

Undergraduate School and Degree: University of Florida, Industrial & Systems Engineering

Where did you work before enrolling in business school? Procter & Gamble – Supply Network Operations – Transportation Operations Leader

Where did you intern during the summer of 2017? Deloitte Consulting – Technology – Summer Associate – Chicago, IL

Where will you be working after graduation? Deloitte Consulting – Technology – Senior Consultant – Chicago, IL

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

Student Involvement & Awards

  • President of Net Impact Club
  • Treasurer of Krannert Graduate Society of Black Managers
  • Dean’s List
  • Graduate Assistantship at Purdue’s Center for Entrepreneurship
  • Management Leadership for Tomorrow Fellow

Community Involvement

  • Master of Ceremonies for Krannert’s Inaugural Charity Pitch Competition
  • Facilitator for Financial Planning Session for Young Adult Scholars Club in affiliation with HeadsUp! and Purdue’s Black Graduate Student Association
  • Purdue Jr. MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences) Symposium Business Pitch Competition Judge

Case Competitions

  • NBMBAA Case Competition ‘17
  • KeyBank Case Competition ‘17
  • Net Impact Case Competition ‘16

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I’m most proud of my work during a Purdue Sponsored Three-Week Study Abroad Internship in Bangalore, India at TVS Motor Company. While there, I was able to leverage my Supply Chain expertise to develop a new transportation strategy which could predict seasonality and provide more dynamic procurement solutions. I was also able to provide input on recommended Transportation Management Systems that would best suit TVS’s unique transportation network.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I’m most proud of my entrepreneurial ventures. Over the past five years, I’ve co-founded a K-12 school, a small business consulting firm, and a real estate redevelopment firm. Each has had its own success and challenges, but I’ve grown exponentially from these experiences. I look forward to bringing these skills to Deloitte as I work with various corporations on their challenges.

What was your favorite MBA Course My favorite MBA course was Technology Strategy. This course took experiential learning to another level. The class discussions were pure and always insightful. We were not required to read chapters or cases, but you would get nothing out of the class if you did not. It pushed the boundaries of intrinsic learning, and I certainly got the most out of it. In addition to case discussions, we were also put into teams and assigned a startup company to offer our consulting services to. There were no instructions. No rubric. Just our team working to add value to the company. This was the only course where I never thought about my grade. At the same time, I learned how to add value in ambiguity and provide a real startup with a solid strategy to bring it to the next level.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose Krannert for the people. During my visits, I felt like a part of the family. Not only with the students, but also with the faculty and staff. While here, I’ve met lifetime friends, mentors and business partners. This is a decision I’ll never regret.

What is your best piece advice to an applicant hoping to get into your school’s MBA program? Take the time to visit. Krannert is a unique MBA program. With a class of less than 100 students it’s a very intimate culture that you must be comfortable with. I can see how it’s not for everyone. For those who do fit, it’s a life changing experience. So visit! When you arrive, if it’s a fit, the decision will be a no brainer.

 What is the biggest myth about your school? Myth: Krannert is a quant heavy school for engineers only. Do we have some excellent quant classes? Yes. However, you have the freedom to design your schedule. We have a total of 8 modules. 3 of the 8 are fairly standard. But, for the remaining, you have free reign to take whatever you want. That includes a full set of strategy, marketing, communication, finance and accounting classes. There’s also the opportunity to take classes abroad and complete independent studies. Your schedule is a blank canvas for you to craft.

What was your biggest regret in business school? None. I’ve travelled the world, met amazing people and grew stronger in my personal and professional relationships. I’m living the dream!

 Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I most admire my classmate and business partner Adam Myers. We found out early in b-school that we both have bold entrepreneurial goals. So bold that they couldn’t wait! We both decided to jump head first into developing a real estate development firm in Indianapolis that we would work on between classes, nights and weekends. We have been able to challenge each other to push our business further than we first imagined. Many talk the talk, but few are willing to walk the walk, like Adam has proven to do.

 Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college? My brilliant and inspiring fiancée, Domenique Lumpkin. Domenique received her MS in Mechanical Engineering and is now pursuing her PhD in Civil Engineering at Purdue University. Domenique has always pushed me to follow my dreams and never be afraid to succeed. She is a true life partner that I can have fun with while we push each other to greatness.

If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would be…pursuing my dreams some other way. Business school hasn’t defined me, but it’s given me a heck of a leap forward.”

 If you were a dean for a day, what one thing would you change about the MBA experience? I would put more emphasis on attending conferences and provide support for those willing to attend. There are several conferences available to attend ranging from the National Black MBA Association Conference, the Net Impact Conference, etc. These are amazing opportunities to network with bright minds around the country that everyone should experience.  

 What are the top two items on your bucket list? I don’t have a bucket list. I live life one day at a time. The only things on my bucket list are keeping God at the center of all that I do and continue to have no regrets.

In one sentence, how would you like your peers to remember you? An ambitious leader who will continue to push for success while always bringing others up with him along the way.

What is your favorite movie about business? The Pursuit of Happiness. It shows that life is so much more than business. Everyone has something to live for and we can never forget that. Also, no matter what adversity you are faced with, we can all find a way to succeed.

What would your theme song be? “Buffalo Soldier” by Bob Marley

Favorite vacation spot: Jamaica – The most beautiful place on earth which is also my heritage.

Hobbies? When not traveling, I love watching documentaries and listening to podcasts.

What made Sheldon such an invaluable addition to the class of 2018?

Sheldon brought a wealth of knowledge and was a tremendous contribution to the class of 2018; from his operations and engineering experience at Procter & Gamble, his leadership experience as the President of the Net Impact Club, to his willingness to help incoming students with career insight and preparation from his participation in Management Leadership for Tomorrow along with his internship at Deloitte Consulting. Sheldon has made a lasting impression on the MBA program at Krannert even through his participation in recruiting efforts for the next class.  I was very fortunate to coach Sheldon during his time as an MLT fellow and was overjoyed with his decision to pursue his MBA at Purdue.”

Wendy Dukes

Director of Corporate Stewardship and Alumni Engagement

Krannert Professional Development Center

DON’T MISS: THE ENTIRE LIST OF THE BEST & BRIGHTEST: CLASS OF 2018

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