Jarrett McCurry: AU Experience, Degree Leads Way to Opportunities

How did you learn about Anderson University? What led you to enroll?  

Growing up in Anderson, I always heard about it. I had a cousin who went to Anderson. She had nothing but great things to say. So, having family connections and growing up here, I knew Anderson had a good reputation. And then also, cost came into the equation. Those are the three main reasons.  

Was majoring in supply chain your original plan?  

I started college as a kinesiology major, then decided that it wasn't for me, especially after the first six months of COVID. I went to the College of Business. One of my close friends from high school transferred to AU. He started in supply chain before me. I told him, “I was transferring out of (another department),” and he said, “Come give my major a look and give it a try.” I kind of fell in love with it. I talked to Dr. Whitehead for the first time, asked her about what I'd be doing and what the major was, and it was right up my alley. It sounded challenging enough. I would always have problems to solve daily.  

What are some of your favorite memories of being a student at AU?  

One of my most cherished memories from college... Some friends and I had a weekly Tuesday night meet up where we hung out. We prayed together, sang hymns—did life together, every Tuesday night for four years. And even during COVID, we met on Zoom. Another core memory was working as a student employee for the university. I made tight friends while working a lot of late nights and early mornings setting up for campus events. 

What kind of job was it?  

I worked in guest services, specifically in our events productions department. I ran sound and video for orientations, campus worship, lectures and guest events.  I was all over the campus which gave me the opportunity to connect with incredible people. That experience, being able to put both technology and customer service on my résumé, helped me get into the professional role I’m in. 

I'm currently working in IT. Although I have a business degree in supply chain, I’m in a discipline that I don't have a degree for, but having a business degree carries a lot of versatility and then having technical experience with my degree helped me get a job in a forward-facing customer service role for technology meeting users needs’ at their desk. My AU experience set me up for success in my career regardless of the direction my path takes me. 

What are some more ways you feel like your AU education has helped you in your job? 

I will tell you that everything costs money—you hear that a lot in our Supply Chain program. Having a supply chain and production planning and inventory management mindset, I sit down and look at a production line that's sitting still and not moving, and I can tell you right off the bat; this is costing. I understand that manufacturing business involves many different people, this group, that business unit, and all these different folks that are planning and playing into it. Having the background from my supply chain education, helps me understand the importance and the effect of what I do and how it impacts the business in unseen ways.  

My education also helps me understand looking at problems and being able to say, "If we prioritize this issue first, it's going to put the most points on the board in ways people don’t see but have the greatest impact on the business.” 

At the end of the day, what gives you a feeling of accomplishment?  

For me, it’s alleviating people's stresses and needs from the customer service side. From the business side, my sense of accomplishment is being able to step back and say, “I've been working on something for weeks or months now.” Here's how it's going to pay off for the business and here's how it's going to make us more effective.  

That gives me extraordinary satisfaction, and as an aspiring entrepreneur, it excites me to be able to say, "Hey look, I did that. These are the tangible business results.” That is, in my opinion, part of business education—to push you to go above and beyond. I've always had those goals, ever since I was a young teenager. The College of Business absolutely helped advance my goals, but then also give me a mindset of “don't settle for where you're at.”  

If somebody would ask you about working in Supply Chain Management, what would you tell them about considering that as a potential career?  

The entire business world revolves around supply chain. Even if you work in digital content, even this interview is a supply chain. You're sitting here talking to me, a supplier of information, and I’m giving you something to put out. If you want a career, but also a professional degree experience that's going to open many doors and give you many options, a degree in supply chain is where you need to go.  

I understand that Anderson University was especially helpful as you were overcoming a health challenge. 

When I was 17, I had a hemorrhagic stroke. I was born with a brain aneurysm and didn't know it until it ruptured. I'm in a lifelong recovery. I'll always carry the effects of my injury; that’s always a factor I must take into everything. I've been blessed go to college at a university that was all incredibly understanding and willing to work with me to help me be successful. They helped me with being able to communicate with professors. My needs were understood.  

It looks like the Lord is looking out for you.  

Absolutely. I look at it like this; you can't let it slow you down. And you're going to live one of two ways, miserable or happy, and I would much rather live a happy and full life. Having the right people around you makes it possible to live a happy and full life. During my college experience, AU made it possible. 

Is there anything else you'd like people to know about Anderson?  

If you're willing and you choose the right program, you will absolutely get every penny out of it. You're going to get a return on your investment if you're prepared to put the work in during and after college. Any way you cut it, you will leave AU prepared for the future.