Kelley School of Business

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Managing the Most Valuable Resource – Your Time

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Allison Lawler, MBA 2020

During my first week at Kelley, my Me Inc. facilitator noted that our most valuable resource during the next two years would be our time. She was candid that we would need to be selective in deciding what to become involved in, balance the demands of a full-time MBA with personal life responsibilities, and how to most effectively structure your schedule, commitment, and goals to take full advantage of the two-year program. In full transparency, this introduction made my stomach spin – – I have notoriously been a “yes” person throughout my life in hopes of growing and learning as a person. Although this mentality has given me cool experiences, I have not always been intentional in how I choose to spend my time and made a commitment to myself to be more deliberate in the experiences I wanted to have at Kelley. Reflecting on the past year, my key priorities were:

  1. Studying abroad experiences: When I applied to Kelley, I knew that I wanted to be a part of Globase, a program that lets students complete a global consulting project. During my first year, I was a part of Globase China and had a unique, fun, and rewarding experience traveling throughout China. From working with our client to market a new hotel in the foothills of the Himalayas to riding camels in the Gobi Desert and feeding pandas in Chengdu, Globase China has had a great impact on my Kelley experience. I am so excited to continue this travel focus as I complete my second-year Capstone in Sports Marketing and Management at the University of Bayreuth in Germany in March.
  2. Maintaining wellbeing and “balanced” focus: The people I have met at Kelley have had the largest impact on my MBA experience, and prioritizing time to build strong connections with my peers and maintain a wellbeing focus has helped me find balance during a fast-paced program. From 6am morning workouts with the unofficial Kelley Swim Club, to game nights, hot yoga, and going on hikes at Griffy Lake, the people have made this experience. I have found that maintaining close connections with my family and life-long friends has been crucial for me to keep a clear perspective and to support important relationships during this program.
  3. Giving back to the Kelley community: A key part of the Kelley community is the sense of giving back. My past work experience in HR has made me passionate about the recruitment and interview processes, so when I had the chance to apply to be a Hoosier Host and an Admission Counselor, I knew that these were groups that I wanted to join. Whether I am welcoming candidates at Experience Weekend or helping select the upcoming Kelley class, giving back to the Kelley community in this way has been a highlight.

Along with my new-found confidence being intentional with my time, I am assured that the decision to pursue my MBA and be a part of the Kelley community was one of the best choices I have ever made.

Embrace What You Don’t See Coming

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Bill Murphy, MBA’20

When I made the decision to go to business school, I knew what I wanted out of it; a career shift that would bring me more job satisfaction and more money. I’m fairly certain that I’m not the first person to attend B-school with those simple goals in mind. I’m also pretty sure that I’ll still achieve those goals.

What I’ve come to learn though is that I should have set my sights higher, because now – a little more than halfway through – I realize that I’ve gotten a lot more out of the decision to pack up my life and move to Bloomington, Indiana than I expected. Here are a few things that I appreciate, but definitely didn’t see coming:

  1. Accounting and Finance can actually be really interesting. Okay, maybe I should have prefaced that by mentioning that I’m a marketing major who remembers daydreaming about the next tailgate during those classes in undergrad. My point is, don’t dismiss a course or subject just because it doesn’t fall into the wheelhouse of your perceived strengths. Shout-out to professor Billett for keeping Finance interesting enough that I signed up for more.
  2. The application of what you learn can be an experience like no other. One of the first places that I got to put my newfound skillsets to use was on the other side of the planet. This past spring, 24 of my classmates and I traveled on a GLOBASE experience to Jakarta, Indonesia to meet with a group of clients to present consulting projects. I’ve known for years that travel is a passion of mine but getting exposed to industry and business culture while doing so is a twist that I couldn’t have found more rewarding … (spending spring break in Bali didn’t hurt either).
  3. Faculty and staff can really enhance the experience if you make them a part of it. Getting a master’s degree differs from getting a bachelor’s degree for a number of reasons. The most impactful reason for me is that this time, you’re an adult interacting with other adults. They understand some of the challenges that come with that. I’ve been fortunate enough to establish relationships with a few members of the staff at Kelley that have given me a lot to be thankful for when it comes time to look back on my time here. The wisdom and kindness that I’ve received will go a long way as I progress through my career and my life.

All in all, I’m confident that my decision to get an MBA from the Kelley School of Business will be well worth it; both for the reasons that I intended for it to be as well as for the reasons that I didn’t know existed.

Alumni Spotlight: Paul Alfaro Valle, MBA’2019, our first MBA/MSIS joint degree recipient

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Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background and what brought you to Kelley?

I am from Lima, Peru and have a degree in computer science from PUCP University (Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru). Before enrolling in the Kelley MBA program, I worked for several international organizations in their subsidiaries in Lima, where my work experiences were always focused on data analytics and business intelligence. What brought me to Kelley was first and foremost the passion and the pride with which fellow alumni spoke about their experiences with the program. When I was accepted into the MBA program, I felt the school really wanted me there, which was very important to me. And to be honest I did not feel the same when I was accepted into other school’s MBA programs. Furthermore, the prestige in Marketing that the school has, as well as the focus that the school was giving the analytics major were also important deciding factors. Kelley’s values strongly resonate with me and my personality—especially being in a collaborative environment, always striving for excellence, and becoming a better version of myself. Finally, the fact that it was a top 25 MBA program in the US, had relatively small classes and close faculty‐students relationships, and a beautiful campus were additional reasons to make up my mind.

Why did you decide to pursue the MBA/MSIS joint degree?

My decision to pursue an MBA was mainly to validate my business experience and solidify my career. However, I was not planning to completely switch careers—I wanted to remain in the data analytics field,  perhaps with a more marketing-oriented profile. That is why the MBA/MSIS came to me as a surprise at first but was exactly what I had been looking for. I knew the school-work burden would be heavier than just doing the MBA, but after analyzing the situation, I decided that the benefits of the program would greatly outweigh the sacrifices. And with my background in IT, I felt the program would reinforce the areas I had already studied and would update my knowledge of new technologies, practices, and frameworks. Moreover, the possibility of getting a STEM degree was very appealing since I was planning to remain in the  Data Analytics field and in most cases these roles require are STEM-oriented. Lastly, I  saw it also as an opportunity to network with people in the tech industry—a sector I wanted to break into after finishing my degree.

What sticks out to you most about how the joint MBA/MSIS prepared you professionally for your current role?

What sticks out to me the most is being able to understand how different technologies are coupled together to leverage business initiatives—whether to provide the organization flexibility, agility, efficiency or new capabilities in developing new products/services to their customers. The joint MBA/MSIS degree gave me the additional and necessary tools to speak both IT technical and business languages and to become a bridge between those two worlds, which is something many organizations are looking for in future employees.

Do you have any advice for students pursuing or considering pursuing the joint  MBA/MSIS? 

My main advice to students pursuing the joint MBA/MSIS degree is to seize the moment, learn as much as you can, and really grasp as much knowledge as you can from your professors. Talk with them, share doubts and ask for advice. And I would emphasize that they should be strategic in deciding what roles they want to pursue and how they want to get those roles and prioritize what they need to focus on to obtain them.

A Crash Course on Senior Leadership Thought Process

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Javier Angulo, MBA’20

My first week back on campus for my second year is an exciting time: catching up with old friends and making new ones, usually accompanied by, “How was your summer?” It is amazing to hear what my classmates were up to this summer – product management at big tech companies in the West Coast, weeklong assignment in London for a consulting project, designing digital strategy for a Fortune 150 subdivision, and even a post-internship trek to Machu Picchu! As I continue to answer this question myself, one theme keeps coming up: senior leadership thought process.

During my summer internship, I had the opportunity of being part of a working group which consisted of half a dozen Executive Director Level leaders. I was not only presenting my recommendations, but also we were building the project together and I got to see how these leaders approach a complex problem, what questions they ask, and equally as important, what information they discard. While a challenging experience, it was certainly the highlight of my summer. These insights are nothing new and are topics we put in practice during the MBA Program, but seeing them put in action masterfully, was impactful. Here, I would like to share three: (more…)

Pondering a Dual Degree? My JD/MBA Adventure

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Scott Miller, JD/MBA’2020

 

I have a confession, for most of my life, I never knew what an MBA was. I had heard the letters strewn together before, knew that it was an upper-level degree, I had even taken some courses at the Carlson School of Business while getting my Bachelor’s in Sport Management from the University of Minnesota. I did not fully understand (or so I thought) what an MBA degree was and what it could do for me until I was in my first year at Mauer (Indiana University, School of Law) and I made a friend enrolled in the joint JD/MBA program. I then spoke with some other friends in the law school who had considered going to get an MBA and were considering the joint program. I heard that getting an MBA would be punching your ticket to management level in business, that I better get comfortable talking to anyone about anything at any time (a.k.a. networking), and that it was going to be a lot of work.

Yes, having the initials “MBA” after your name will usually mean that you have been deemed eligible to lead others, but only because most top-programs will only accept you if you have already been a part of the workforce (i.e. 5+ years work experience) before applying.
Yes, there is a lot of networking going on in business school—with your classmates, your professors, and recruiters from company after company that you would love to work at. Although every company knows you are shopping around for the best fit, you should still treat each networking encounter and interview as if they are your #1—you never know who you will meet, intentionally or unintentionally, at b-school events.

Now that I have been through a year of B-school I can confidently say that I know what an MBA is. It’s a lot of hard work, it is more group meetings than you can count, a lot of late nights studying, while eating plenty of junk food, and it is an opportunity to realize what your potential is and who you want to be for the next chapter of your life.

For those of you contemplating a graduate degree, I would like to leave you with a few tips. Do not be afraid to be yourself; there can be a lot of pressure to mold yourself into someone you feel you are expected to be—do not succumb and remember who you are. Work hard, in everything, and you will get so many opportunities to lead, network, and to learn from your peers—take every one that you feel you can manage successfully. Lastly, please have some fun. While your future employers will appreciate that you know how to run a regression and that you understand what the words “market penetration” and “vertical integration” mean, they will also appreciate someone they can stand to work with for 40+ hours a week, so do not forget how to have a good time!

*Scott is currently interning for Walmart in the Merchandise Operations Department.

How Kelley Prepared Me: First-year to Internship

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Whitney Hamilton, MBA’20

This time last year, I was preparing to start a new chapter of my life at the Kelley School of Business. I had just quit my job in Chicago and celebrated at my going away party with friends and family. An entire year later, I look back with CORE behind me, new lifelong friends, and global experiences.

Now that I am 5 weeks into my summer internship, I get the chance to reflect on my first-year through a new lens: how it prepared me to succeed as an intern. I am thrilled to be spending my summer at Conagra as a Brand Intern. The top three things that helped me put my best foot forward during my internship are:

Professor Jonlee Andrews & Academy Projects
I was involved in the Consumer Marketing Academy (CMA) led by Jonlee Andrews. During 2nd semester we participated in an Academy Project where my classmates and I got the opportunity to work with top CPG companies (i.e. Nestle, E&J Gallo, P&G, and Scott’s) on real challenges that they are facing and deliver a recommendation. Between the practical Academy Project, and lessons from Jonlee on how to approach any project, I really got the chance to think outside the box and preview what to expect as a summer intern. My Academy Project experience really set the stage for me to succeed and I have even referred to my notes during my internship. (more…)

Year 1: My B-school Reflection

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Will Fetcenko, MBA’20 

My first year at Kelley went by in the blink of an eye. As I transition into my summer internship at 3M, I’ve had time to reflect on what made this year so incredible – I hope that this reflection can help those about to start their business school journey. If I could go back and remind myself to do just 3 things every day, this is what I’d tell myself.

  1. Use your support system (and be a part of others’). The first year at Kelley is a rollercoaster ride of classes, competitions, recruiting, and extracurriculars. Inevitably, there will be hurdles along the way. Whether you need help studying for a finance final, practicing for an interview, or just need someone to vent to, the Kelley community is there to help. Thankfully, whenever I seemed to lose my footing, I had an amazing group of friends, family, and classmates to lean on and help me get back on my feet (special shout-out to my awesome and supportive wife Kathleen, who is also the President of Kelley Partners’ Club). One of the things that makes Kelley so special is how everyone is always willing to help – so remember, when someone helps you through a challenging time, be sure to look out for ways to pay it forward.
  2. Step outside of your comfort zone. Kelley is the perfect place to build new skills and experiences. There are countless leadership opportunities, events to attend, and chances to travel to new places. Before coming to Kelley, I had never really traveled outside of the U.S. Now, thanks to GLOBASE, I have new international business experience and got to travel all the way to Indonesia for a consulting project! When I first signed up for GLOBASE, I was nervous about traveling all the way to the other side of the world. Looking back, I’m incredibly glad that I was able to travel with an awesome group of students and faculty. It made the trip much more enjoyable and provided a great set of “training wheels” for traveling internationally. If you take these 2 years to say “yes” to new experiences, it’ll be well worth it!
  3. Be yourself. There are so many impressive people at Kelley with different backgrounds and goals, and once things kick off, it’s tempting to start comparing yourself to them. There were times that I felt overwhelmed trying to keep up with others, but once I regrouped and focused on my own goals and progress, everything became much more comfortable. This is where it helps to have a trusted support group to encourage you in tough times and help identify your unique skills and characteristics that will help you stand out naturally. Though you can try to “fake it ‘til you make it” for a while, it’s better to just be yourself and use your time at Kelley to grow.

Hopefully, these tips can help keep you grounded through your first year at Kelley. I’m proud to be here and can’t wait to come back for my second year!

It Takes a Village

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By Casey Bufford, MBA ’20

This time last year, I was preparing for the Orientation Program as a Consortium Fellow. I was also wrapping up work and planning my move to Bloomington as an incoming MBA student. As excited as I was, I was also overwhelmed – I have a family, including a now 3-year old, to think about too. Fortunately, I had many family members and friends to help me make the move and begin my new phase in life as a student. It took a village to get us to Bloomington.

Reflecting on my first year at Kelley as an MBA mom, I recognize and appreciate the village that I have built within the Kelley community too. My village here includes: (more…)

An Internship Trial Run – My Academy Project

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By: Namrata Nesarikar, MBA’20

There’s nothing us millennials love more than a free trial. We want our 30 day free trial of Spotify Premium. We want our free trial class for Orange Theory, and we want our free trial of LinkedIn Premium. The First-Year Academy projects that Kelley MBAs work on during spring semester are the closest thing to a free trial run for our summer internship.

The Academy project is in the first or the second seven weeks of the spring semester, depending on which Academy you are in. In this project, you work with a real company on a real opportunity that they want to capitalize. It offers insight into what your summer internship will be like, and helps you understand specifics like what resources you would have to tap into, and what it would mean to work in a group. Most of all, it offers an environment where you can explore ideas, work through them, and still have a safety net of knowing it will have no significant detrimental impact on the company or the brand in case anything goes wrong.

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Becoming a Meeting Guru

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Natalie Shuntich, MBA ’20

Coming back from winter break I quickly discovered that there are a number of meetings in the Spring Semester. While folks here at Kelley are very collaborative and accommodating, I have found that one of the hardest things is coordinating schedules. If you did not become an Outlook Calendar wizard during Core, I can promise that you will be one by the end of March! Some folks are still recruiting. There are many clubs & activities to choose from every week. And, for those of us who are first-year students, we are now taking classes at different times throughout the day.

How am I budgeting my time? Between balancing my time between interviewing for an internship, meeting with my team for GLOBASE and my team for my Academy Practicum class, and participating in club events—my days are packed. Interviewing is a special kind of busy, and it requires a lot of practice and effort. I probably could write an entire blog devoted to just that, but I will keep it short and simple.

For those of you who are curious about GLOBASE and Academy projects, I can attest that GLOBASE China and the Consumer Marketing Academy (CMA) project are both a lot of work! They probably make up at least 50% of my calendar each week. However, I am very excited about delivering my group’s recommendations for our two clients. My GLOBASE China client is a small hotel in Yunnan, China. They are rated highly on TripAdvisor but are looking to drum up excitement and awareness with a new hotel launch. In contrast, My CMA project client is a large Consumer Packaged Goods Company who is looking to reinvigorate an old brand. As a career switcher, I strongly believe that these two projects are going to help me the most with completing my summer internship. I have learned where to go to find both quantitative and qualitative research. Based on my experience so far, I believe that having a firm grasp of the subject matter is one of the first steps in gaining your client’s trust and being able to find unique consumer insights. I have also learned how to deal with ambiguity and using both marketing and consulting frameworks. One of the most important things I have been learning is how to settle on a team recommendation and bring your client along during that journey.

Outside of job hunting and school, I am also taking the time to interact with my peers and have fun (even if that means putting time on my calendar for club events). I just participated in two events that were an absolute blast! As an active member of the Wine Club and a budding mixologist, I had to go to the “Create Your Own Cocktail Night.” I also got the opportunity to participate in a Chinese Lunar New Year celebration. During this celebration, I got to try some special Asian food items and learn how to play Mahjong, a Chinese game that I have been curious about for some time.

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