Class of 2024 profile: Jake Sherman

Jake Sherman has taken every opportunity to get involved and excel while a student at the University of Missouri. On Sunday, he will graduate with a degree in finance and banking with an emphasis in real estate from the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business as well as a degree in economics. 

The St. Louis native has been an active member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, revitalizing the chapter’s philanthropy initiative for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation after Covid-19. He was a three-year the Rockin’ Against Multiple Sclerosis (RAMS) Steering Committee, a student-run organization that raises money for the Multiple Sclerosis Institute at MU Health Care. Additionally, he served on the Interfraternity Council (IFC) Task Force, then expanded his services to the executive board where he served as president. He also worked for two years as a leasing agent at Brookside Downtown and participated in other organizations on campus, including University of Missouri Investment Group, Missouri Real Estate Club and Mizzou Business Careers in Entertainment.  

For Sherman, the maxim “You get out what your put in” has been a guiding principle during his years at Mizzou.  

Why did you choose Mizzou? 

My father is an alumnus of the University of Missouri, and it’s close to my home in St. Louis. Mizzou was the obvious choice compared to the other colleges I visited because it offered everything and more in terms of what I was looking for in a school. 

What motivated you to pursue your field of study at Trulaske?

I knew coming to Mizzou that the Trulaske College of Business offered a great education, and I couldn’t pass that up. There were endless options and paths to choose from, but ultimately, I landed on finance and banking with an emphasis in real estate. I eventually added economics as a dual degree, but that would have never been possible without Trulaske.

What person at Trulaske played an instrumental role in your college experience and what lessons did you learn from that person?

There are so many professors at Trulaske who are amazing and played a great role in my success, but the person who had the biggest impact was my advisor for over three years, Stephanie Toigo. It wasn’t necessarily about the lessons but more about the guidance and comfort she provided me from day one – it was unlike anything I could have expected from an advisor when I arrived. She was someone I could always rely on to provide accurate information and to help me navigate the sometimes stressful challenge of enrollment and other advising tasks we tackled together. She really set my great standard of Mizzou faculty and staff and embodied the values of a Tiger. I was extremely grateful to have her.  

What business class at Trulaske made the biggest impression on you and why? 

There were several courses early on that were memorable, but the most influential courses I’ve taken at Trulaske are two I’m taking now – Portfolio Management and Investment Strategies of Warren Buffett. These courses have really opened things up for me in terms of knowledge and understanding of investing as a whole. They have connected the dots and provided me with a lot of history and inspired some of my own investment journey. They also have been the most challenging courses for me, so they have truly exposed my weaknesses but piqued my interests in several areas and inspired me to learn more.  

What kind of leadership skills have you gained at the Trulaske College of Business?

I think overall, the core values of Trulaske reveal themselves all through the curriculum – it becomes a way of life, if you will. I was able to transfer a lot of the skills I learned at Trulaske to other on-campus leadership opportunities. I was able to improve my communication style, emotional intelligence, team building, strategic/critical thinking and so much more that will be transferrable to the workplace soon! Working with the Trulaske Edge core competencies early and staying with them throughout college was great and reaffirming for how to go about my professional career. 

What hands-on learning opportunities at Trulaske have helped you the most and how will you apply them to your business career?

BA 3500, which provided me the opportunity to take what I learned in the classroom and put it into practice through a professional team-based project with a real local client. This allowed me to work with my group in a true professional climate while meeting hard deadlines and seeing a project through the lens of a small business owner. Getting to experience the strategies behind the operation was invaluable to my understanding of business as a whole.  

What are your favorite Mizzou memories?

There are so many to count, from my fraternity to my extracurriculars to sporting events and so many other spontaneous events that I will miss. I have been extremely lucky to have such a jam-packed college career of different but incredible memories. Each year was so different from the last, offering numerous opportunities I could never have predicted before arriving on campus. That’s the beautiful thing about Mizzou – rich traditions and so much more.  

Looking back on your college career, what are the biggest lessons you’ve learned?

I think a big takeaway that wasn't as apparent to me before is you get out what you put in. I’ve also learned you can put in a lot of work and still fall short, and that’s OK, too. However, if you want something in this life, you need to go grab it. My father taught me at a young age, "If it is going to be, it is up to me." That has stuck with me. 

Additionally, working with purpose and intention is something I learned while serving in leadership roles with the IFC. Having a reason behind my decisions and actions is extremely important because it reminds me to see things through and helps me understand what I hope to gain from what I am doing. It also ensures that I keep a level head and strive towards positivity. 

Another core philosophy I’ve had since high school is everything happens for a reason. I have been lucky – even in dark moments – to find some light, some good and some positivity. Even in a world where it seems like every day brings a new negative, being able to holster a good outlook on why things happen has been a valuable skill I have developed. 

Finally, I have learned that this is a world of connections. You can learn a lot by stepping out of your comfort zone and jumping into something new. You never know where you might end up if you just put yourself out there and take a chance on something new.  

What advice would you give incoming Mizzou students?

Go after new opportunities early on and expand your network as soon as possible. Mizzou is home to so many incredible organizations and clubs, so explore them and find the ones that are right for you. Develop good habits in all areas of life, whether it’s in the classroom, getting enough sleep or staying active. It’s easy to get into a funk when there is a lot going on. Try your best to stay on top of your events and stay organized because there are so many moving parts at Mizzou!

What’s next for you?

I have been extremely lucky to continue my summer internship with Tropicana Brands Group through my senior year and will continue that work remotely for the near future. I will also continue investing and developing my portfolio and hopefully take some time for other activities before finding a permanent job.