2019 Best Brightest Kirt Matthews Jr., Purdue University (Krannert)

Kirt Matthews Jr. 2019 Best Brightest: Kirt Matthews Jr., Purdue University (Krannert) by: Jeff Schmitt on March 23, 2019 | 0 Comments Comments 464 Views March 23, 2019Kirt Matthews Jr.Purdue University, Krannert School of Managementâ€Å"A determined and outgoing trumpet player who loves laughing, sports, and winning.†Fun fact about yourself: In high school, I was apart of the Macy’s Day Parade in New York City and the Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.Hometown: Elkhart, IndianaHigh School: Concord High SchoolMajor: AccountingMinor: FinanceFavorite Business Course: Venture Capital by Fabricio D’AlmeidaExtracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:Extracurricular ActivitiesAlpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Gamma Rho Chapter), PresidentSociety of Minority Managers, Vice PresidentCornell A. Bell Business Opportunity Program, Peer MentorPurdue University Residences, Student Office CoordinatorCommunity WorkUnited Way of Greater Lafayette, Ta x PreparerInternational Studies Abroad (ISA) of Spain, VolunteerHartford Hub Community Center, VolunteerHonors AwardsPurdue University Emerging Leaders ScholarBusiness Opportunity Program ScholarLeadership Development ProgramsManagement Leadership for Tomorrow – Career Prep Class of 2018Sponsors for Educational Opportunity – Class of 2017JumpStart UGrad Diversity Forum – Class of 2017Microsoft’s Finance Leaders of Tomorrow – Class of 2017Oliver Wyman’s Diversity Forum – Class of 2018Where have you interned during your college career? 2016 – EY, Launch Intern – Indianapolis, Indiana2017 – Morgan Stanley, Global Capital Markets Summer Analyst – New York City2018 – Goldman Sachs, Investment Banking Summer Analyst – New York CityWhere will you be working after graduation? Accenture Strategy, Strategy Analyst – New York CityWhat company do you admire most? Patagonia, because the company was founded on environmentally friendly principles and today continues to donate at least 1% of all sales to improving the planetWho is your favorite professor? My business law professor, Cara Putman. I really appreciated her simplistic teaching style and how she took a genuine interest in my career aspirations.What did you enjoy most about your business school? The exposure I had to top executives throughout programs in Krannert, my internship experiences, and my various organization involvementsWhat is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The relationships you build are just as important as the work you produceWhat advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Business teaches multiple transferrable skills: teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, etc. Use these skills to pursue your interests in and out of the business world.What has surprised you most about majoring in business? The diversity of learning. I did not believe I would g et a comprehensive understanding of business by majoring in accounting because businesses are more than accounting.â€Å"If I didn’t major in business, I would be majoring in or studying†¦ Political Science, because I have a passion for governmental policy and the impact it has on citizens.†Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college? My counselor, because she believed my skills and interests aligned well with business-related fieldsWhich academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? Volunteering with the United Way of Greater Lafayette to do free tax returns for low-income families in the community.Which classmate do you most admire? I admire David Day because of his academic success and diverse experiences at Purdue (football, Purdue Student Government, internships, study abroad, etc.)Who would you most want to thank for your success? My mother, because without her encouragement and motivation, I would not be where I am todayWhat are the top two items on your bucket list? Seeing all Seven Wonders of the WorldMeeting LeBron JamesWhat are your hobbies? Playing sports and travelingWhat made Kirt Matthews Jr. such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2019?â€Å"Kirt has an incredible drive to grow both scholastically and professionally. He sees each course as an opportunity to stretch intellectually and each internship as an opportunity to stretch professionally.While taking my advanced financial accounting course, Kirt demonstrated an ability to work through complex financial reporting issues quickly and then, importantly, to follow through to their implications for business decision making. It was also clear to me that he is a natural leader and a generous peer. These qualities are further reflected in his active involvement in the Society of Minority Managers and his internships with EY, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs.Kirt does not stand still; he keeps moving forward. I can’t wait to see where he is in 10 years.†Susan Watts Emanuel T. Weiler Chair in Management Krannert School of Management, Purdue University Page 1 of 11