My experiences in the doctoral program were both challenging and rewarding. The Krannert community, in my opinion, is second to none. This community provided a plethora of resources that supported each student academically, as well as emotionally. Students were encouraged to pursue academic excellence, in an environment that fostered emotional health (i.e. a non-cutthroat environment). Students were recognized and rewarded for their efforts within their areas of specialization, as well as the management field, while simultaneously being encouraged to network with peers and support the success of peers. The course curriculum provided a strong foundation for undertaking any research endeavor. Exposure to top researchers helped to strengthen my research skills. Their guidance taught me the importance of narrowing the focus of research, in order to delve into the finer nuances of an investigation instead of glossing over interesting insights because of a research endeavor that may be too broad initially. Being a part of the Krannert doctoral program has enhanced my research and networking skill set. Overall, the Krannert experience has been memorable and life-changing.
Evalyn H. Henderson
Management Information Systems Ph.D. 2006 Purdue
I was attracted to the Krannert PhD program because of its international reputation and its emphasis on quantitative and analytical methodologies. The program definitely exceeded all expectations. In addition to providing a world class research environment, Krannert also fosters a wonderful and nurturing atmosphere for its doctoral students. Like any good program, there will be focused hard work involved. However, I believe that we are well prepared for a rewarding career at the end our program tenure. I look back at my time at Krannert with fondness, and I highly recommend it to prospective doctoral students.
Chetan Kumar
Assistant Professor Management Information Systems Ph.D. 2006 Purdue California State University at San Marcos
The five years I spent earning a Ph.D. in Economics at the Krannert School of Management was one of the most enjoyable periods of my life, and exceeded my expectations in every aspect, both personally and professionally. When I was accepted by Purdue, I was thrilled, but frankly wondered if it could compete with some of the “top ten” programs my former classmates were attending. It took only a very short time to realize my apprehension was completely unfounded. The faculty members at Krannert, in all fields, perform cutting-edge research, and are able to transmit that knowledge to students in a manner that provides a solid foundation for theoretical and applied empirical work. As important as their technical knowledge, or perhaps more so, was the welcoming environment engendered by the Krannert professors. In contrast to the intimidating persona displayed by professors at some top-tier institutions, my teachers were very approachable, and encouraged students to approach them for advice about research, inquiries into potential collaborations, or just to discuss the everyday issues confronting all graduate students. My thesis advisor is a prime example of that characteristic, as he has continued to be a critical guiding force in my professional development. From the support received from the Graduate Studies office, to the camaraderie enjoyed with a diverse student body, to the valuable training in instructional techniques gained, my experience at the Krannert School of Management was literally priceless, and I would unhesitatingly recommend Krannert, and Purdue, to any prospective student.
Assistant Professor Economics Ph.D. 2004 Purdue University of Nebraska at Omaha
The faculty-student relations at Krannert are amazing. During my doctoral program, I regularly interacted with the brightest minds in my field. Yes, the intellectual demands are challenging, but I graduated knowing that I had the foundation and training necessary for success in academia.
Assistant Professor OBHR Ph.D 2004, Purdue Utah State University
Offering dedicated professors from top academic institutions and professional backgrounds, Purdue provided me with every tool necessary to succeed as a professor of economics. The individualized attention, meaningful guidance, and wide variety of faculty specialties allowed me to develop a strong foundation in research methods. The opportunity to teach independently, along with the value Purdue places on quality instruction motivated me to excel in the classroom. During my four years in West Lafayette, Purdue was my home and my fellow Krannert students were my family. I graduated from Purdue with a group of lifelong friends and colleagues, fully prepared for my academic career, and incredibly grateful.
Assistant Professor Economics Ph.D. 2005, Purdue Loyola Marymount University
Being a part of Krannert's doctoral program has been an experience that has fulfilled me both on a professional as well as a personal level. Krannert has significant number of faculty who are at the leading edge of research in their fields. A coaching in the fundamental quantitative tools by such well-trained faculty, I believe, goes a long way towards creating a solid foundation on which to build a sound research structure. As a student, I found that faculty in my department were always willing to make time to discuss research ideas. I was offered chances very early on in the program to work with faculty on research projects. I found that Krannert and indeed the Purdue community offered me a chance to balance my creative life as well as the academic one. The Krannert program is certainly rigorous and demands that students stretch themselves. The fruits of those efforts in the form of gaining a unique research perspective and access to better opportunities are well worth striving for.
Shilpa Lele
Assistant Professor Marketing Ph.D. 1998, Purdue School of Management Syracuse University
Krannert offers a first-rate doctoral program and a friendly environment. During my years spent at Krannert, I had numerous research opportunities and got a great deal of exposure to different research areas. Frequent and constructive interactions between faculty and students made it easy for students to explore different research venues. Research seminars provide students an excellent opportunity to learn about cutting edge research, and also to learn about the research work of the faculty. Krannert encourages students to take courses in diverse areas. I had opportunities to do course work and research in schools across campus such as Computer Science and Industrial Engineering. Students are also given a high degree of freedom in determining research projects. Within the Krannert School, there were opportunities to take courses in different disciplines such as Finance and Economics that helped me learn the fundamentals as well as broaden my knowledge. Finally the library provides excellent research support in terms of access to academic journals and databases plus other resources. The Krannert Computing Center also provides excellent computing support for teaching and research.
Assistant Professor Management Information Systems Ph.D. 1998, Purdue University of California, Irvine
I came to Purdue with a big bag of thoughts, observations, and questions. It was obvious from the transition process in Eastern Europe, which I watched very closely, that economic life is extremely complex. In a larger context, history, institutions, market forces, and policy decisions intertwined to alter the way these economic systems worked. How does one make sense of these complex phenomena? I had no hope to understand but, quite surprisingly for me, at the end of the five years that I spent in Purdue, I realized that I had acquired a set of tools that allowed me to navigate through that complexity. Gradually, I had learned rigor, a sense of consistency and completeness, and had developed a feeling for the important. Things started to make more sense. I acquired the confidence to participate in the public domain and share ideas of mine. Professional satisfaction therefore also came naturally. I felt very comfortable leaving Purdue. This result was possible only because of the patience and shared expertise of my advisors. I received their experience and involvement and I was very fortunate to share their intellectual curiosity. The program offered the opportunity for such interaction and the faculty made sure that the opportunity was fully utilized.
