Senior Aiden Anderson ’26, international business and operations and supply chain, has taken advantage of every opportunity to actively engage in leadership, academic, study abroad and professional programs while at the Darla Moore School of Business.
Inspired by his campus visit before enrolling, Anderson not only came to the Moore School for his undergraduate career, but he has also encouraged prospective students to begin their own journeys.
“As a prospective student, I was captivated by the Moore School Student Ambassadors’ stories during Admitted Students Day and their personalized campus tour,” he says. “Their enthusiasm inspired me to envision my own path at USC as an international business student pursuing a global career. Now as an ambassador myself, I’ve loved giving back by sharing my journey with prospective students. Serving as an ambassador has significantly developed my ability to connect with others and my confidence in public speaking.”
That same sense of connection and inspiration carried into Anderson’s studies and professional interests within the Moore School, especially since he chose to major in the Moore School’s No. 1 international business and No. 15 operations and supply chain programs, according to U.S. News & World Report.
“The Moore School has been a catalyst for my passion for supply chain and international business,” Anderson says. “It's tight-knit international business community fostered connections with peers and professors through events and mentorship programs.”
Through the Management Science department and Supply Chain Operations Excellence Club’s Career Workshop, Anderson says he gained valuable exposure to the many career paths within his field.
“Hearing insights from alumni gave me a better understanding of the opportunities that exist,” he says.
Anderson credits much of his professional growth to the mentorship opportunities he’s embraced at the Moore School.
“Being paired with a Microsoft supply chain alumnus through the Moore School’s mentorship program was particularly impactful,” he says. “The guidance I received on interviews, career growth and goal setting helped shape my professional journey.”
Involvement across the Moore School has also provided endless opportunities for leadership development.
“Starting with Alpha Kappa Psi and Gamecock Consulting Club onboarding, I thrived in team-based problem-solving through case competitions,” he says. “Competing in EY’s annual case competition at the Moore School further confirmed my interest in consulting's fast-paced, collaborative nature. These experiences mirrored the strategic challenges I’ll tackle at Kearney.”
Anderson developed his leadership through Alpha Kappa Psi and SCOPE. As Vice President of Professionalism and Director of Alumni Relations in Alpha Kappa Psi, he guided peers and built alumni connections. As President of SCOPE, he led initiatives connecting classroom learning to real-world operations, strengthening his strategic and collaborative skills.
The Moore School has been a catalyst for my passion for supply chain and international business. It's tight-knit international business community fostered connections with peers and professors through events and mentorship programs.
Expanding his education beyond the classroom, Anderson’s semester abroad in Santiago, Chile, became one of the most developmental experiences of his college career.
“My semester in Santiago, Chile, was transformative. Courses on international trade, mergers and acquisitions and Latin American business challenges deepened my understanding of global operations,” he says. “Living abroad with a host mom immersed me in a new culture, teaching me to navigate diverse perspectives and adapt to an unfamiliar environment, which are critical skills for international business.”
Opportunities through the Operations and Supply Chain Center have allowed Anderson to turn his classroom knowledge into real-world results.
“The Capstone Consulting Project through the Operations and Supply Chain Center stands out as a defining experience,” he says. “In this project, I worked alongside a team of students and a faculty advisor to complete an inventory management transformation for Schaeffler, a large automotive parts manufacturer, which resulted in more than a million dollars in savings for the company.”
After the project, Anderson earned the Sonoco Products Company/Operations and Supply Chain Center Lean-Six Sigma Green Belt, a highly regarded certification for operations professionals.
Looking ahead, Anderson is eager to continue building on his experiences.
“This year, I’m looking forward to participating in the Global Sustainability Supply Chain Student Competition, endorsed by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals,” he says. The case focuses on rural agricultural logistics in Ethiopia. Anderson is “hoping to learn how sustainable solutions in logistics can transform farming distribution and sales.”
These experiences culminated in Anderson being named a 2025 Richter Scholar, a national honor awarded by the Richter Foundation in partnership with the Institute of Supply Management.
“The scholarship recognizes the top six rising students in supply chain management nationwide,” he says. “The award is based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, high ethical standards, and a commitment to pursuing a career in the field.”
Graduating in May 2026, Anderson has already secured a position as a Business Analyst in Strategic Operations Practice with Kearney in Chicago.