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:
- Kelley Alumni: Throughout my recruitment process, I relied heavily on the wisdom and experience of many Kelley alums. They offered insight into different industries, functions, mock interviewed with me, reviewed my resume, and let me vent. I am forever grateful for the relationships I’ve built with alumni who inspire and are invested in me.
- Current students and their partners: Getting through this first year would not have been possible without my 1st and 2nd-year classmates. We helped each other get through the first accounting quiz. We’ve traveled together during academy trips. We’ve celebrated finishing Core at the faculty auction. We’ve helped businesses grow through GLOBASE [#goodTHAImes]. We experienced a Passover Seder (a first for me and my daughter Taylor). I’ve leaned on them for last-minute childcare and through personal challenges throughout the year. Through it all, my classmates have become my family. I knew I’d build relationships at Kelley but I never thought I’d build relationships as strong as I have. The humility, sincerity, fun, down-to-earth nature of my peers made year one a blast!
- Staff and professors: When the Little 500 weekend arrived, I knew I wanted to experience the hype but I also knew I didn’t have child care for the weekend. One staff member, Tiesha Douglas, graciously offered to watch my daughter so that I could have fun. That is just one story that personifies my village at Kelley. Staff and professors have gone above and beyond, not just to teach and help us learn, but to make sure we are well-rounded and successful in all aspects of the MBA experience. I have leaned on them for everything and they have been there countless times.
My Kelley experience has been truly amazing thanks to the village who supports and encourages MBA moms like myself. I look forward to continuing to build on all of my relationships in year two – and making sure I pay it forward to the incoming MBA Class of 2021.
