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5 tips to prepare for MBA recruiting

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By Bri Taylor, MBA’22

Making the transition from employee to MBA student is a journey in and of itself. Now add the pressure of having to secure an internship by the end of your first year, while navigating core and maintaining some sort of social life, and one can become extremely overwhelmed.

When looking back at my recruiting journey, the tips I received from my second years, Kelley alumni, and the Graduate Career Services team were extremely helpful as I prepared for recruiting season and ultimately secured my product marketing internship offer from Microsoft. As future Kelleys are preparing themselves for their first year and the upcoming recruiting season, I thought I would share a few tips that were passed down to me.

Spend time reflecting on the types of problems you enjoy solving, what areas you’d like to grow in, and what your strengths are. While I was preparing for the Consortium Orientation Program and the Forté MBA Women’s Leadership Conference, I was paired with an alumnus and a second-year mentor who challenged me to think about the types of problems I like to solve and the key strengths I would bring to my internship. Identifying those problem types helped me pinpoint my growth opportunities, which came in handy as I narrowed down the list of roles and companies I would apply to and began developing my CAR statements (mentioned in tip #4). To circle back to the pre-MBA recruiting conferences I mentioned above – the Consortium Orientation Program is an annual conference hosted by the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management and Forté MBA Women’s Leadership Conference is an annual conference hosted by the Forte Foundation. The purpose of these conferences is to provide incoming MBAs with career development advice and early exposure to corporations as they prepare to begin their business school journey. Other pre-MBA recruiting conferences and opportunities available to future Kelleys are Poets & Quants Pre-MBA Networking Festival, Jumpstart Advisory Group Career Forums, and Management Leadership for Tomorrow MBA Professional Development.

Schedule exploratory calls with current students, Kelley alumni, or people outside of the Kelley network in your desired role and industry to confirm your interest. Once I figured out the roles and companies I wanted to target, I utilized LinkedIn to search for second years and Kelley alumni who interned or currently worked in the roles I planned to apply to. In these exploratory calls, I focused on what their day-to-day and career trajectory looked like, what they liked most and least about their role and company, and what Kelley courses or projects most helped prepare them for their role. If I was unable to find a Kelley to connect with, I prioritized reaching out to MBAs in the roles I planned to apply to. By the end of these calls, I was able to confirm that I wanted to move forward with recruiting for product marketing/management roles within Big Tech. A bonus was that I was able to build a running list of suggested elective courses to take that would prepare me for my internship and later full-time role. To keep track of everyone I connected with and notes from those calls, I kept all my networking contacts compiled into one spreadsheet, which I still refer to today as I prepare for full-time recruiting.

Identify the key roles you’d like to recruit for and begin applying early. It helps if the industry or company you want to work for offers summer boot camps. For example: Procter & Gamble Brand Camp, McKinsey Early Access, BCG Unlock, Bain Base Scholars, Kearny Diversity Boot Camp. I personally didn’t participate in any of these summer boot camps since I decided to recruit in tech, but I know a few Kelleys and MBA students from other schools who did participate in them, and they found the camps very informative. These boot camps give you a glimpse of the industry you wish to work in, networking opportunities with current employees, and a chance to interview for a summer internship the following year. I mean who wouldn’t want an opportunity to start their MBA with an internship offer in hand. If like me you decide not to participate in these boot camps, don’t fret. Still begin applying and if possible, send a note to the lead recruiter at the company to express interest and to let them know that you have applied. You can search through LinkedIn for the recruiter contact or reach out to a Kelley at the company to help.

As you wait to receive an invitation to interview, begin crafting your CAR statements. Very similar to the STAR method, CAR stands for Context, Action, and Result. To get started, reflect on all the impact you made in your career and highlight about 8 to 10 scenarios that you can build strong CAR statements around. If you are a career-switcher like me, consider framing your CAR statements to highlight your strengths and transferable skills. Companies are aware that MBA students use the degree to pivot careers, but in evaluating your candidacy it is important that they can see the link from your previous experience to your aspiring path. If you need help getting started with your CAR statements, I suggest reaching out to the Graduate Career Services team.

Reach out to current students and Kelley alumni in the role and company you have applied for to schedule a few mock interviews. From these interviews, you will receive feedback on how to improve your performance and a glimpse of the types of questions that will be asked during your real interview. I found doing mock interviews extremely helpful as I prepared for my Microsoft interviews, which consisted of one 30-minute interview for the first round and three 45-minute back-to-back interviews for the final round. Putting myself in the hot seat helped me memorize the key points of the CAR statements and learn to apply them to different questions on the fly as you never know what questions you will be asked the day of your interview. Hopping on zoom for my Microsoft interviews, I felt ready for any question the interviewers would throw at me, even the curveball questions.

To future Kelleys, my hope is that with these tips you feel just as confident walking into your interviews during the upcoming recruiting season. Remember that dedication and consistent practice are key to getting the results you desire. Lean on your classmates, your second years, and the broader Kelley community to help you secure your dream internship. I look forward to witnessing all your future success in the years to come

The journey you chose

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Linh Nhan, MBA’21 

“What was the most meaningful decision you have made?” If someone asks me this question, no matter now or 50 years later, I will still say that pursuing MBA at the age of 25 is one of the most life-changing decisions that I made.

Perhaps, my MBA journey began back in 2018 when I first jotted the very first plan of preparing for my higher education. When I told my friends and family about my decision, there were a lot of questions that got me thinking about whether this will be the right choice. Sometimes, the fear of making mistakes clouds our minds and inhibits us from breaking out of our comfort zone. The fear that making the wrong choice would take us backward from our career and the peer pressure doesn’t allow us to do the difference. At the time, I kept asking myself self-doubt questions like “Would it be the right time for me, given the financial investment and career pause that I must make at 25?”, “What if I couldn’t find a job afterward?”. If there’s something I learned from my career as a supply chain specialist, it is “put it on the paper first”. I remembered it was so much clearer when I started to write my thoughts down. Besides all the pros and cons I made, right at that moment, I realized that my gut had always told me what to do and the answer had always been there. Yes, I will do it no matter what happens.

Looking back a year earlier, I am proud that I have made the right decision. I have learned and grown so much in both professional and personal aspects. I was able to take a huge leap in my networking skills and take on several roles to sharpen my leadership. However, friendship has been the most valuable gift during my MBA journey so far. In the last year, I got a chance to know many bright-minded and kind fellows. They are not just classmates but also are the 2nd years, and the alumni, who really embrace Kelley’s community and provide insurmountable supports. They are my core groupmates, who offered to do the work when one of us was busy recruiting or networking. They are the 2nd years, who spared their busy schedules and did mock interviews with us. They are also the alumni, who actively walked with me during my recruiting journey and didn’t hesitate to do mock interviews with me at 8 pm after their long day at work. Without all of those supports, I wouldn’t be where I am today, preparing for the summer internship at my favorite consulting firm. Kelley might not be the only MBA program to choose from; however, I believe that the community at Kelley is unique and irreplaceable.

To future Kelleys, I’m looking forward to seeing you on campus. Have I also told you that IU is considered one of the most beautiful college campuses in the U.S?  This is the journey you chose, so make it yours! Recruiting is important but your social life also matters. Don’t forget to spend some weekends hanging out with your classmates and explore B-town. Lastly, don’t hesitate to ask! You never know if you never ask. I wouldn’t have made it without the support and guidance I received from this community. Take care and I’ll see you all very soon!

Looking back at my first year as a Kelley MBA

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By Daniel Kim, MBA’22

As I finish the first year of my MBA journey, I am overcome with mixed feelings. Feelings of relief, joy, sadness, excitement, fear, and as much as I hate to admit it, some regret.

I thought about last August when I was just beginning the program and meeting my core teammates for the first time, and before I know it, it is summer break! (it really is not a break though)

As a big introvert, I felt like a kid who just transferred to a new school. I had a lot of uncertainties, questions, anxieties, and adjustments I had to deal with in the next few months.

I thought about the guidance and advice I received from my second years that in hindsight I find were very relatable and helped me get through the first year, so I wanted to share it with future Kelleys.

  1. Time goes by very fast, and there will be more things to do than you have time for. The first year will pass by in the blink of an eye. You have to balance school, recruiting, a social life, family, hobbies, and whatever else you have going on. Everyone will have different priorities but make sure you know yours. Don’t let FOMO get the best of you. If you want to stay in and watch a movie after a long week of classes, do that instead of going to a party. Be friends with people you resonate with. It’s so much better if you stay “you” throughout your MBA journey.
  1. Network, network, network! It may seem daunting, especially if you’re an introvert, to speak to a total stranger for half an hour. The truth is, waiting until you feel ready isn’t going to make it easier. Start with the second years. We have been graciously welcomed into the Kelley family and we’re committed to doing the same. The sooner you do it, the better you will feel about networking with recruiters when the time comes. Sometimes it may feel like you’re not getting anything out of it but you just never know who will help you land that dream internship.
  1. Be ready for the opportunity you are looking for. Otherwise, you will not get it when it comes knocking on your door. This one is a personal story. I always wanted to work in Japan and was extremely excited when I saw some opportunities in Tokyo. Guess what the requirement was? I had to be business proficient in Japanese! I speak a little Japanese, but I wasn’t at the level they wanted so I had to give up that opportunity. Most opportunities may not require specific requirements like being fluent in another language. Try to figure out early where you want to be in the summer, and make sure you’re ready for it. If you want that consulting job, start mock casing ASAP. If you want a job in a specific function/industry, get connected with second-years who interned there and ask for help. You only get one internship so make it count!

I hope you found this helpful. If you ever need help with anything, reach out for help! The sooner you ask, the easier it is to get it resolved.

Becoming MBA Leaders

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Sam Yoder, MBA’22

Student Body President * | Forté Fellow*

When I was deciding to go back to school, a few knowledge gaps ultimately clinched the decision: I knew I needed better financial understanding as well as data analysis skills. Three-fourths of the way through my first year, Kelley is more than delivering on both of those things. However, what I didn’t know I would be getting was a crash course in leadership.

About a month ago, my classmates elected me and a group of eight other students to our MBA Association’s leadership team, putting me at the head as Student Body President.  I’m about 10 days into my term, and I cannot begin to tell you everything I’ve already learned. I’m making mistakes most days but I’m also figuring out how to lead with the support of my team. I can feel myself growing and learning to take on the challenges set before me.

A few days after my team and I were elected, the student body elected 25 club presidents—other students who decided to step up and create great programming for the next year. MBA programs often have great professors and incredible alumni connections, but so much of the programming is run by students or come about because a student advocated for something they believed was important. If you want it to, your MBA program can give you the opportunity to own something, figure out how to make it happen, and benefit your friends and classmates almost immediately. Giving students leadership opportunities isn’t by accident – it’s a fundamental part of the MBA experience, but one that I apparently kind of glossed over in my initial decision-making process.

Growth is uncomfortable – this is not a new revelation by any means, but one I’m learning most days while getting my MBA. Whether that growth is in Spreadsheet Modeling or during a leadership meeting, I’m reveling in the opportunity to try things I’ve never done before and figure out how to actually do them along the way. My classmates at Kelley are going to lead the world, and all of our leadership journeys will include a chapter at Kelley. I couldn’t be more excited to see what comes in the next year.

The Kelley Community: Stability Amongst Uncertainty

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by Joe Metts, MBA Candidate Class of 2022

The decision to pursue graduate education is one of the most life-altering choices you can make. Doing so in the midst of a global pandemic makes it even more daunting. When prospective students evaluate programs, they often do so while considering rankings, career outcomes, and program reputation, all of which are valuable metrics to assess. During these uncertain times, one criterion emerged as my deciding factor in choosing Kelley, community – and it’s something I believe every prospective should consider.

What do I mean by community? It encompasses the friends and colleagues you will make as a member of the program, the faculty and staff that make Kelley a world-class school to pursue a graduate business education and life in Bloomington – a college town unlike any other.

Friends and colleagues: Every MBA program touts their holistic decision-making process and they use “diversity” as a buzzword to generate interest among prospective students. In my MBA application journey, I found those topics to be sincere at the Kelley School of Business. In this program, you will find individuals from all walks of life, which includes race, ethnicity, gender, sex, socioeconomic status, work experience, academic performance, etc. There is truly no typical “Kelley” student profile, and it makes the program an exceptional place to learn both inside and outside of the classroom. The friendships and relationships I’ve made in a short time have made this one of the most enjoyable times of my life and I’ve had the privilege of meeting hundreds of incredible people and future business leaders as a member of the Kelley MBA program.

Faculty and staff support: Over the fall semester the United States saw the majority of its Top 25 MBA programs shift to virtual learning amidst the pandemic. While this precaution is a fair one, it fundamentally alters the learning environment at the student’s expense. At Kelley, our faculty and staff went above and beyond to keep us in the classroom through their generosity and commitment to the MBA experience. Our “Core” sections expanded from 2 to 3 – with professors agreeing to teach an additional course for the benefit of the students, and expansive safety measures were put in place to keep our student body healthy and present over the course of the semester. Every professor made themselves openly available to support students along the way, ensuring we had both the personal and academic resources available to succeed. There’s certainly value in attending a program with large class sizes, but there’s also a fine line between “building a network” and becoming a number, so carefully consider the program support available to students when making your business school decision.

Life in Bloomington: My friend Danielle VeZellos beautifully highlighted what she loves about Bloomington in 2020, so I encourage you to read her thoughts. I’d like to reiterate that I believe Bloomington is a place for everyone. As a native of Asheville, North Carolina, I saw many similarities between my hometown and Bloomington when assessing business schools and considering where I’d like to live. There are hundreds of restaurants spanning the global food scene, classic college bars, and independent shops and boutiques that line the town square, not to mention outdoor staples like Griffey Lake and Lake Monroe, just to name a few. Whether you’re from or currently live in a small to medium-sized town or are interested in taking a step away from the hustle of life in New York, L.A., or Chicago, Bloomington will be an excellent fit for you over the next 2 years.

A business school’s people – its students, staff, faculty, and alums – will be your closest allies and your best friends during your two years in an MBA program, so it’s important you join the right community. I may be a bit bias, but I’d say there’s none better than what you’ll find at the Kelley School of Business. Contact me or any of the Kelley MBA Hoosier Hosts to learn more! We’re always happy to chat.

Finding my MBA path

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Rohit Raman, MBA/MSIS Candidate Class of 2022

“I want to be a Product Manager in Fintech Industry”- Source unknown.

Disclaimer: This is not my dream and frankly, when I was starting my MBA, I had no idea what either Product Manager or Fintech meant.

Before joining the Kelley family, I served in the Indian Navy for 10 years. I am second-generation Military personnel and military life is all I had experienced before. I had no idea what happened in the Corporate world, or what I wanted to do post completing my graduation. I thought two years was a long time to figure out what I enjoyed doing and then find a job that let me do that. During Me, Inc, the Cohort was split into smaller groups and then asked by a career coach what we wanted to do with our MBA. Everyone in the group except me was so sure what they wanted. Some wanted to be product managers in Fintech, others wanted to be consultants in technology or investment bankers. I freaked out and started to wonder what I had gotten myself into.

 

As to date, I have survived six months of the program and it has only been possible due to the collaboration of everyone involved with the program. Collaboration was evident even before we reached campus. The Class of 2022 started our MBAs during very uncertain times and the MBA office helped us get amended travel documents as many times as we required and supported us whenever we required any help. When I spoke to my second-year peer coach Evelyn Gill for the first time, what was supposed to be a short introductory call, lasted almost 2 hours in which she literally explained what various roles in corporate mean and where MBAs fit in the entire organization. My career coaches kept prodding me to dive in and figure out what I enjoyed most about my time in the military and kept nudging me in the right direction to figure out what kind of roles I will enjoy once I graduate. Second-year MBAs were always ready to review resumes, conduct mock interviews and case interviews, and guide us on how to be successful in the program. I dreaded networking, but after an initial few calls with alumni, I realized networking was not so bad when you have a great extended family of alumni. I spoke to several of them about what they did, what they enjoyed about their jobs, and what skills were required to be successful in their roles.

But most importantly, I am part of a Cohort with some great individuals. Most of my classmates, like me, would say that they had the best core team. Doesn’t this say a lot about the character of each and every individual in this cohort? Deciding to come back to school during a pandemic already speaks volumes about their determination and resilience. I was part of a diverse core team and we survived the grueling Core together. We supported each other through case competitions, group assignments, company presentations, etc. Everyone was always willing to help each other and go the extra mile if required to ensure we always remained on top of things.

In the past six months, I have come a long way, but am I sure about what I want to do post my MBA? Obviously NO, but at least now I know what I do not want to do and have narrowed down my options. I am sure my internship will give me another option to experiment and continue this journey of self-discovery. The beauty of an MBA program is that everyone had a different journey before deciding to come back to school and everyone will proceed to different destinations. What we all have in common is the desire to learn, the desire to help each other achieve our dreams, and the desire to create great memories during the time we all have together.

Alumni Spotlight: Udit Joshi, MBA’19

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Udit Joshi, MBA’19 shares how his experience as a Kelley full-time MBA student enabled him to build momentum in his career and take him all the way to Google as a Global Product Lead. From gaining coaching experience with 1Kelley Consulting to building his confidence and giving him an edge in his career with Me, Inc, hear from Udit on his time at Kelley:

Kelley MBA Alumni Spotlight Udit Joshi, MBA’2019 from Kelley School of Business on Vimeo.

Ready to create the future you want like Udit? Learn more about why the Kelley MBA is right for you.

Alumni Spotlight Alejandro Guerrero Canal, Class of 2015

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Where are you from, and where were you living before you came to Kelley?

I’m from Bogota, Colombia, and was living there before beginning my MBA at Kelley.

You had worked in several different corporate financial roles before you joined the MBA program. What motivated you to return to graduate school for your MBA?

I spent a significant amount of time working in my family’s business right before Kelley. When I started thinking about continuing my career elsewhere, I realized I was missing something in my background and an MBA seemed to be the right next step.

I wasn’t really sure about what I wanted to do after graduation but I knew an MBA would open doors in different directions, so for me, it was also about learning about what drives me and understanding where my skills can be a differentiating factor. Two years at Kelley helped me gain perspective to be able to make better career choices.

What factors led you to choose Kelley over other MBA programs?

I researched a good number of schools before making my decision, and I met a lot of people at MBA fairs and events. Plus, I did a lot of reading on my own. After having the opportunity to attend experience weekend in Bloomington, Kelley captivated me with a balance of great education, solid career opportunities, and a welcoming team-oriented environment. I felt I could achieve my goals at Kelley while at the same time enjoy my MBA time to the fullest before going back to “real life”.

What was it like to be an international student at Kelley and in Bloomington, Indiana?

In the beginning, I was a little hesitant about going to the Midwest but at the same time, I thought it would be an opportunity for me as an international student to differentiate myself.

Bloomington surprised us in a great way, it’s such a great little town filled with people, culture, and cuisine from all over the world. My memories from there always bring a smile to my face, not only because my daughter was born there, but just because the town has so much to offer. Additionally, the Latino community during my time at Kelley was incredible. I had a great time and made friendships that I’m sure will last a lifetime.

What were the most impactful aspects of your experience at Kelley, and what made them so?

Firstly, career services and Me, Inc: As difficult as it was for me to adjust to the intense US recruitment culture, the career coaching I received made a huge difference in my ability to sell my story to the companies that I wanted to work for. I used to joke with my wife that I had become an “interview machine” after so much time spent preparing for it at Kelley. It wasn’t easy, but to this day, the skills I acquired back then continue to help me in my career

Second, going back to balance, Kelley was a great combination of top-notch education, meaningful career opportunities, and a great environment to spend your MBA years in.

Tell us a bit about your career since leaving Kelley (including your current employer and title) and how your Kelley experience has prepared you to accomplish all that you’ve done.

I joined PwC’s M&A advisory practice right after Kelley working out of the Dallas office, where I spent around 2.5 years doing post-M&A integration and divestiture work, helping companies capture value out of their M&A transactions. I had the opportunity to work on several multi-billion-dollar deals while working with top executives from some of the largest companies in the US.

I was then recruited by Millicom, which is a telecommunications company with operations in Latin America and Africa. Under its Tigo brand, it’s one of the largest telecom companies in Latam and one of the best employers in the region. I started as a Chief of Staff to the Group’s Chief Technical and Information Officer helping him manage his interactions and communications with high profile stakeholders in the company and industry. After that, I spent about a year traveling to Central America where I led the synergy realization program for Millicom’s acquisition of Telefonica Movistar operations in Nicaragua and Panama.

Currently, I am Head of Global Investment Strategy at Millicom, based in Miami, and I’m responsible for the capital allocation process of more than $1 billion in capital deployed every year in Latin America and Africa.

What’s one piece of advice that you’d offer to a prospective student who is considering coming to Kelley for an MBA?

There’s no doubt Kelley will provide a lot of tools and open opportunities to boost your career, but you must do your part. Especially when it comes to recruiting, you must be willing to put in the work and keep an open mind to any opportunities that could present to you.

This not only means dedicating quality time every day to look for the right job opportunity, but also avoid over-idealizing your next career move. Too often I saw fellow classmates turn down recruiting processes without even researching the opportunity in detail. Your next job is important but remember, chances are it will be just another stepping stone in your career, and there are many ways to get to your goal.

Alumni Spotlight Catalina Silva, Class of 2017

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You had worked in several different engineering and supply chain roles before you joined the MBA program. What motivated you to return to graduate school—and to come to the United States—for your MBA?

Part of me always wanted to attend graduate school as I think it is important to never stop learning. My brother had gotten his MBA in the US and through some discussions with him thought this would be a good move for me in order to take my career to the next level. I knew there were many excellent universities in the US that I could look into and I also wanted to have the experience of living here.

What factors led you to choose Kelley over other MBA programs?

I attended “The Grad School”, an institute in Bogota that helps with training for the GMAT and school application counseling, and they gave me a list of potential schools that fit my interests and Kelley was one of them. I did some research on the school and the MBA program and it captured my interest, as I was looking for a school in a small to mid-sized city, with a strong supply chain MBA concentration, and a medium-sized class. After meeting in Bogota with Regina Lee, associate director of admissions, at an MBA conference and with current students during a winter break coffee chat, I decided to apply to the Kelley along with two other business schools that also met my criteria. I was accepted into all three but ultimately made my decision after I traveled and toured each of the campuses and met with people in each school. There is a magic to Bloomington and the culture that Kelley has that is undeniable and made me feel at home as soon as I got there. It is truly a collaborative, fun environment.

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