Cameron Herbert

Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota

“I really have no idea where my life is going, and I’m proud of it.”

Fun fact about yourself: I visited 10 different European countries in the span of four months.

Hometown: Bloomington, IL

High School: University High School

Major: Accounting and Finance

Minor: N/A

Favorite Business Course: Principles of Corporate Finance with Helen Moser

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

• Carlson School of Management – Board Vice President
• Carlson School Student Ambassador
• University Honors Program – Aiming to graduate with Summa Cum Laude Latin honors
• Dean’s List – Past six semesters
• Student Accounting and Finance Association – CFO
• Delta Sigma Pi – Initiated Member
• Elevate Program Participant – PwC
• Emerging Leaders Program Participant – EY
• Global Perspectives Conference Participant – EY
• Carlson Crew Leader
• Students Today Leaders Forever (STLF) – Service trip participant
• Major League Baseball Green Team member (2017)

Where have you interned during your college career?

• Risk Assurance Intern – PwC: Minneapolis, MN
• Finance Intern – Snack Media: London, United Kingdom
• Finance Intern – Sleep Number Corporation: Minneapolis, MN
• Strategic Resources Intern – State Farm: Champaign, IL

Where will you be working after graduation? Assurance Associate – PwC: Chicago, IL

What did you enjoy most about your business school? While there are many people involved with the Carlson School who make it such an incredible place, my favorite characteristic is that 100 percent of students study abroad. How many other schools can claim this? Being able to bond with my fellow students who went to London or learn from those who went elsewhere all over the world is incredible. I love that Carlson pushes us to pursue an international experience and I can honestly say I haven’t met a student who said they wish they hadn’t gone.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? I learned that you are your own limitation. If there’s something you want to achieve, somewhere you want to be, or someone you want to become, it’s possible. I understand that the path to this is much easier for some than others. However, I never fail to be amazed by the sheer impact business has on our daily lives and the world as a whole. I will graduate with a business degree knowing I have the potential to benefit millions of lives, but it’s up to me to make that happen.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Don’t let what people expect or advise you to do impact your decision too much. Far too often, I hear of people who aren’t content with their major or their job. Pick a path where you can see yourself getting up in the morning excited to go to work.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of the work I have done as Vice President of our school this year. I work with some incredible people, mainly on our board’s Policy & Curriculum Committee. I often hear my friends and classmates express their desires for change within our school, so it’s been rewarding to work with like-minded peers and professors to create change for our school.

What was your biggest surprise in business school? The value of knowing what you don’t know. I think it is so important to understand your strengths and weaknesses, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of others. I think that to be a good leader in business is to use your skills to your best advantage, but to be a great leader is to help others use their skills to their best advantage.

Which classmate do you most admire? The classmate I admire most is Ivy Khong, who I’ve known since we both joined the same business fraternity three years ago. Ivy has absolutely no fear in telling me when I’ve messed up and I really appreciate that. She is so driven and has the ability to manage others like no one else I’ve ever met. If Ivy is representative of the future for women in business, our world is in good hands.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? Undoubtedly, it is my mother and father, Wensley and Teresa Herbert. They both come from underprivileged backgrounds and taught me that anything can be achieved through hard work and resilience. More importantly, though, they taught me the importance of remaining humble when you do achieve what you’re after.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

• Obtain my MBA from an M7 institution
• Start my own company and raise at least $50 million in funding

What are your hobbies? I am really active, especially in playing sports. I like to play intramural sports such as broomball and soccer. I’m also a huge advocate for PE classes at the U. I have taken many in the past and am currently taking a snowboarding class that might be my favorite (non-business) class I’ve ever taken.

What made Cameron such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2020?

“Cameron Herbert is a mentor. His enthusiasm for building deep, meaningful, and trusting relationships with others is contagious. Over the last three years, I’ve watched him mentor high school students through the Carlson Ambassador program while they make one of the first big decisions in their lives. He genuinely cares about each student he meets and has been noted by many students as the reason they chose to attend the Carlson School. As he’s grown in his confidence, he has become an invaluable mentor to younger ambassadors – teaching them the importance of representing the Carlson School in a way that is supportive and authentic. Every team needs someone who can bind the group together through transitions and challenging times – Cameron is that for the Carlson School. Cameron brings energy, a sense of humor, and sincerity to everything he does. In addition to all this, he is one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I know. I am honored to have had the privilege of seeing the impact that he has made on this institution.”

Kimberly Reed
Assistant Director of Enrollment & Scholarships

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