Matt Allum
Two Passions: Music and Supply Chain
For Matt Allum, music is a way to connect with people. He grew up listening to all kinds of music, from country to ’80s rock, and he picked up the guitar in middle school. By the time he was in college, he had written dozens of songs.
Allum describes his music style as a mix of his country and vintage rock roots. “I’ve always loved older songs, the stories they can tell, and the way they impact people,” he says. When he decided to sing few of his songs at an event, they were a hit—and Allum wondered if he was onto something. A few years later, he was performing live several times a week. He went on to enter a songwriting competition and was signed by a Nashville label. He’s since recorded several songs that are performing well on streaming platforms. “Music is an ongoing journey with ups and downs, but at the end of the day, if you love doing it, there’s no reason to stop.”
In the meantime, he’s wisely pursuing an education as well. An MBA candidate at Haslam with a focus in supply chain management, he grew up fixing cars with his dad. He also gained extensive experience in manufacturing through undergraduate internships with Taylor Power, Toyota, and Nissan through a program at the University of Mississippi. “Working on the shop floor in manufacturing facilities opened my eyes to supply chain issues and strategies,” he says. “Supply chain is such an intriguing topic because it applies to every kind of manufacturing.” This summer, he’ll expand his hands-on supply chain experience with an internship at Caterpillar.
Allum isn’t just earning an education at Haslam. He’s getting support for his music career, as well. The Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation plays a pivotal role in helping him pursue his music while exploring career options in supply chain management. “They’ve been a huge support in navigating the business side of my music,” Allum says.
While a music career isn’t out of the question, Allum likes the balance of pursuing supply chain management, too. “I know I’ll always have another option available,” he says. “I’ve always wanted to serve in a leadership role. Whatever I do, I’d like to make the world a better place.”
