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:
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.- 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.
- 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.