Lorraine Haselden Grissop

When Lorraine Haselden Grissop was growing up, watching her father run his business led to a curiosity about supply and demand. That curiosity never really went away. Although she originally considered teaching, Lorraine was fascinated by what she learned in her business classes, so she became a business major. She took those real-world business lessons she learned at Anderson University into her internship. From that internship came the start of a rewarding career at a large company, where she continues to thrive professionally.

Did you have any ideas growing up about what you would end up doing?

Honestly, growing up I dreamed a lot of dreams. Both of my parents come from a business background — my mom is a CPA and my dad owned his own business. My dad and I, from a very young age, would talk business. I think when I was five or six he was explaining supply and demand to me. When I was that age I didn’t think I would be a demand planner one day (laughs), but I’m happy with where that landed me.

When did you decide to enroll at Anderson University?

The pastor at our church had gone to Anderson and had daughters who had gone to Anderson, so hearing him talk about it put it on my radar. I did one last tour at Anderson in February my senior year. I ended up paying my deposit that day, and that August I moved into Anderson and never looked back. I was originally an education major, but I switched to business because it was the only other thing I felt really strongly interested in. Every business class I took, I felt more sure that this is where I need to be.

What are some favorite memories from your college years?

One of my bridesmaids and I actually met in business school at Anderson, doing a semester-long project for Dr. Spencer’s Introduction to Marketing. Those projects were super stressful, but our friendship was born through that and through other business classes. That project was tough; it definitely bonded our whole group together and made some lifelong friends out of it.

You had an internship with Hubbell Lighting that segued into a full-time position?

It definitely did. They offered my full-time job to me on the last day of my internship. I’m still in the same planner position, but I’ve been promoted. I moved from new product planning to e-comm planning. I work a lot with our e-comm team — it’s a great team to collaborate with on inventory, forecasts, and the exciting promotions they’re working on with their different e-comm partners.

What are some ways your Anderson education has benefited you in your job?

The general basic business knowledge I got was really helpful — especially marketing and supply chain, understanding holistically how businesses operate. But also learning group dynamics. The ability to work successfully on a team I definitely got from the group projects and the more immersive team experience. I still draw from those experiences: I do my part, count on others to do their parts, and collaborate together in a way that’s productive for ourselves and the business.

What advice would you give someone considering a supply chain or related job?

Try everything. Get as many experiences as you can and don’t take them for granted. Be willing to ask questions and put yourself out there and meet people, because that had a big hand in me being offered this job after my internship. Understand that people generally want to help you. Never stop trying to learn and trying to experience new things.

How important are internships?

Even if you feel like you know exactly what you want to do, get an internship in that area — and be open to trying other things. An internship is two or three months just to get experience. You never know, you might get an internship in something you never thought you would love and fall in love with it. It all benefits you in the long run.