2018 Best & Brightest: J. Scott Allen, III, Michigan State (Broad)

J. Scott Allen, III

Michigan State University (Broad)

The Bad Boy of Macroeconomics, Broad’s iciest graduate, the young and restless, Scott Allen.”

Fun fact about yourself: I had a bad experience with raisins as a child. I find them repugnant.  To this day, I get physically weak when I inadvertently consume one of those dead grapes.

Hometown: The Village of Clarkston, MI

High School: Clarkston High School

Major: Supply Chain Management

Minor: Economics

Favorite Business Course: SCM 470 – Supply Chain Application and Policy

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Extracurricular: Intramural Basketball

Community Work: Developed the 6th Annual Latino College Day, Developed the 10th Annual Native American Community Outreach Program

Leadership Roles: President of the Native American and Hispanic Business Students, Mentor for Women in Business Student Association, Mentor for the Native American and Hispanic Business Students, UGA for Macroeconomics (EC 202)

Where have you interned during your college career?

  • Kelly Services, Troy, MI: Engagement Analyst Intern (June – Aug 2015)
  • General Motors, Detroit-Hamtramck, MI: Materials Department, Operations Intern (June – Aug 2016)
  • PWC, Detroit, MI: Industrial Products and Services, Management Consulting Intern (June – Aug 2017)

Where will you be working after graduation? PWC, Management Consulting – Industrial Products and Services Analyst

Who is your favorite professor? Dr. Jason Miller is my favorite professor at MSU. Dr. Miller, I’ve found, is one of the easiest professors with which to connect and the depth and breadth of knowledge he brings into the classroom is unparalleled. Both qualities make his class enjoyable and informative.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? Simply showing up and asking one question will put you ahead of your peers and sleeping through events and class will cripple you. Your presence is an indication of your persistence to better yourself – and that does not go unnoticed. This is applicable in all settings.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Don’t get FOMO (fear of missing out). You will have to stay in on weekends to write that paper; you are going to have to put some time aside to read those chapters; and your exam will come sooner than you expect.

Have friends who are not in business. Through “social osmosis,” what your friends are learning is transferred to you which can give you a competitive edge in the class room, building your network, and getting a job (e.g., The other night my entire friend group was in a heated debate over which branch of the government has the most power over the other irrespective of the checks and balances system. The discussion was spurred by one of my friends who is studying to be a lawyer).

“If I didn’t major in business, I would be majoring in or studying…Culinary Arts. When I was in high school, I worked as a busboy/food runner for a restaurant and working was enormous fun.  If I didn’t enjoy the competition in business, I could see myself working in the restaurant setting for the long-run.”

Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college? Coach Mike Kaminskas.  He was a logistics Major out of Wayne State who worked at S.M.A.R.T. Transportation. The summer before I went to MSU, he invited me to a tour of his facility to help me decide what to study. A high school kid entering college has a leg-up when she or he has direction, and conversations with coach gave me that leg-up.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? Being elected President of the Native American and Hispanic Business Students (NAHBS), one of the four student organizations within the Multicultural Business Programs (MBP). Being able to lead the student organization to which I owe the vast majority of my professional development solidified, in my mind that I earned and deserve my undergraduate degree at MSU. It is an organization that I admired beginning before I came to Michigan State for its commitment to my community, impact on all Broad students, and emphasis on its members.

Which classmate do you most admire? It’s a tossup between two of my best friends, Jim McKillop and Aldo Dino. Both men embody the phrase, “Work hard, play hard.” They’re leaders in the Broad College; they maintain a high ethical standard; and they always show compassion to others. My years here wouldn’t have been the same without these two. Best of luck as you begin your careers, boys; I’m only saddened that you’re going to L.A. and Houston.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? My mom and dad!  My parents have always held me to a higher standard regardless of what was expected of other kids and I credit them for helping me develop a lunchbox work ethic toward the goals I set.  Additionally, from a young age my parents worked to instil

What would your theme song be? “Boogie” by BROCKHAMPTON. This song, and the group in general, makes me feel like I can overcome any adversity that shows up on my doorstep. Theme song material? Maybe not. But if I could share a song that make me feel unstoppable, it’s going to be this one. It’s an absolute jam.

What are the top two items on your bucket list?

  1. Being able to “repay” my parents for providing me with a high quality childhood and upbringing. They have always been there for me and everything I do is to honor their commitment to loving me.
  2. Making it to all 7 continents, I bet Antarctica is probably going to be the most difficult one to cross off my list.

Favorite book: Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

Favorite movie: The Prestige

Favorite vacation spot: Puerto Rico, half of my family is there so it’s nice to see my Abuelita and my grandpa, Emillo, while catching some rays on the beach.

What are your hobbies? Longboarding, watching Detroit/MSU sports, hooping with the boys, attempting to try all the diners in the US, and travel in general

What made J. Scott such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2018?

“I have worked with thousands of business students since my return to campus in 2002. I have served as their academic advisor, faculty advisor, instructor and supervisor. In my tenure with MSU and the Multicultural Business Program (MBP) within the Eli Broad College of Business occasionally a student crosses my path that stands out from all the rest. Scott is one such student.

I first met Scott four years ago when he attended the Summer Business Institute (SBI). Since his participation in SBI, Scott has become an active member in two of the four student organizations under the MBP umbrella (Native American and Hispanic Business Students (NAHBS) and Women in Business Student Association (WBSA). He has gone on to serve as Fundraising Chairperson, External Vice President, and currently as President of NAHBS. He has also served as conference assistant and program assistant for SBI, the program her entered MSU and BROAD through his freshman year and continues to mentor many of those students he worked with through SBI. He has served as a MBP department aide and tutor for three years where he assisted over a hundred students in learning macroeconomics. In addition, he is minoring in economics and works for their program where he is currently developing closed captioning for hearing impaired students studying economics. From a global perspective, I have traveled to Cuba and South Africa with Scott as his instructor. His curiosity and passion for knowledge was evident in both education abroad programs making him stand out from the rest of the participants, many of whom seldom engaged our hosts, asked few questions, and often slept as we toured the country. He also has held three professional internships (Kelly Services, General Motors and PwC) and secured a full-time position as Management Consulting Analysis with PwC. Last, but not least, Scott leadership has helped NAHBS secure numerous campus awards for their Native American and Latino outreach programs as well as securing Best Presenter recognition by OSU’s Fisher College of Business Leadership Symposium.

In short, Scott has achieved what we in MBP affectionately call the Holy Grail of Student Leadership. He has served as a conference assistant and program assistant for SBI, been a leader of one of our four student organizations, served as tutor and department aide, secured three internships in four years, and served as mentor within BROAD and across campus to hundreds of students all while maintaining a 3.86 grade point average in the #1 supply chain management program in the country that resides in one of the most rigorous colleges on campus. This is not an easy feat to accomplish in four years, yet Scott has and that is why I believe Scott would be an invaluable addition to the Poet and Quants Best and Brightest Class of 2018.”

Kevin Leonard
Senior Program Director, Multicultural Business Programs

“Joseph (Scott) had phenomenal insights and understanding of logistics.  In addition, he was able to communicate strategic and technical information in an incredibly effective way.”

Matt Schwieterman
Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management

DON’T MISS: THE BEST & BRIGHTEST BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2018 — THE COMPLETE LIST