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From India to Indiana: Reflecting on my first year as an MBA

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By Harsh Singh, MBA’24

As I eagerly anticipate my upcoming internship this summer in the bustling Big Apple, I can’t help but look back on the incredible whirlwind that was my first year as an MBA student. Today, I proudly refer to myself as a second-year MBA student at the prestigious Kelley School of Business. However, just a year ago, I found myself bidding farewell to my employer, a salad bowl of emotions swirling within me. The decision to take this leap of faith—leaving behind my country and my family and immersing myself in a foreign land for a truly global experience—both thrilled and frightened me in equal measure.

In July of 2022, I embarked on an extraordinary journey that spanned three flights and lasted a grueling 32 hours. It transported me from the hurried streets of Mumbai to the serene and picturesque town of Bloomington, nestled in the heart of Indiana. The constant symphony of traffic and street noises were replaced by the soothing chorus of birds chirping every morning, accompanied by a profound silence that enveloped the surroundings. I transitioned from a life devoid of public transport to complete reliance on the town’s bus service as I adjusted to the quaint pace of my new environment. (more…)

Donut doubt the sign of a good town

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By Rachel Morrison, MBA’24

I am a donut hunter. What does that mean? In every town I visit, I search for a local donut shop. Donuts are delicious and I believe it is an amazing way to get a feel for a place! When I first visited Bloomington, I was walking around the IU campus when I saw a donut shop. I was so excited to see a local shop that I immediately began researching to find reviews. Imagine my surprise when I searched “donut shops” in Google Maps and saw that Bloomington boasts four local donut shops plus a Dunkin Donuts! From my past experience hunting donuts, this is a very impressive feat for a smaller town.

This is a tale of many donuts and exploring an adorable town. I fell in love with Bloomington during my visit and committed to attending Kelley for my full-time MBA. I’ve spent this past year trying all the donut shops in Bloomington, and now I’m sharing the results of my meticulous research. Fair warning: my ranking is controversial, but I believe I discovered the most delicious and authentic donuts in town. Here are my findings: (more…)

Following my gut to the Kelley MBA

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By Priya Garg, MBA’24

After deciding to move from India to the US for an MBA at the Kelley School of Business, I was having a plethora of mixed emotions. I was unsure of what to expect from life here and how it would differ. For the last nine years, I was financially independent and could afford most of the luxuries in India. Is it worth giving that all up for my dream—i.e., an MBA—at this stage? My gut said, “Yes!”

MBA in India vs the US

I got into all the top MBA colleges in India and had a few offers from the US. I compared the benefits and decided on the US, primarily for exposure. It proved to be the right decision. What better school to choose than Kelley, which has a huge pool of international candidates, a focus on bringing diverse perspectives through students, and one of the best ROIs for a full-time MBA program in the nation? Moreover, as a bonus, I would get to study along with my husband! Being part of one of the largest universities gave me insights into new happenings across the globe. Life took a U-turn and I had to face the reality of not earning anymore and living on loans, and this still isn’t the most adjusting that I had to do! (more…)

A Breath of Fresh Air

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By Jack Floyd, MBA’24

Before coming to Kelley, I lived in downtown Atlanta for three and a half years and Midtown Detroit for three years. There is a lot to like about living in a large city, but the constant hustle and bustle was starting to get to me. It is interesting that big cities, while full of people and things to do, can also feel cramped. When it came time to submit my MBA applications, I was looking for a change of scenery that would provide a breath of fresh air.

My first visit to Bloomington was in early February. It was the day after a large snowstorm, and it was cold and clear. I will never forget my first time walking through the Sample Gates—the surest sign that you have arrived at IU. Campus was covered in a blanket of snow, and the energy was palpable as the IU Women’s basketball team was playing our rival, Purdue, at Assembly Hall. After walking through Dunn’s Woods, along the campus river, and past IU’s iconic limestone buildings, it was obvious that both IU and Bloomington were special.

While it is important to choose a full-time MBA program that is an academic and professional fit, to me it is equally important to choose a program and city that feel like home. After that first visit in February, I knew that Kelley, IU, and Bloomington were home. Now through my first semester, I want to share a few of my favorite things about my home. (more…)

Embracing change with the support of the Kelley community

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By Rekha Jagadish, MBA’23

I’m a firm believer that growth occurs outside of our comfort zone. I had more than 10 years of progressive experience in audit, risk, and compliance before joining the Kelley MBA program. Stepping out of my comfort zone to become a student challenged me, but I was ready! I envisioned the long-term benefits to my professional life, instead of taking a short-sighted view of the challenges of life as a student again. I decided to pursue an MBA now before I hit the glass ceiling in a few years. With this, I joined Kelley, my dream school.

The past year has been a 360-degree change for me—moving countries, becoming a student again, and making a massive career shift. I have grown more as a person in this one year than I did for years in my comfort zone. This whole journey gave me a real perspective of my capabilities and helped me understand myself better. If anyone asks me if I would do anything differently, my answer is No! The Kelley MBA was the best thing that happened to me, and I am grateful for the opportunities that I may never have explored otherwise.

(more…)

Why an MBA now? Because it’s MBA

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By Mani Selvaraj, MBA’23

“Why an MBA now?” This was the question I got every time I told people that I wanted to do an MBA. The people who asked me that question would always remind me “You’re married with two kids”, “You’re 34”, ‘You’re already at JPMorgan with a well-paying job”, “You have 10 years of leadership experience from the military”, “Why not a part-time or Executive MBA”… and so on. But I was very determined to pursue my MBA dream.

A Kelley MBA, it is… I would say that my MBA dream would have not come true without my best friend Rohit Raman’s (MBA ’22) push and motivation. Back in our Indian Navy times, we both started MBA applications together. I applied for a couple of one-year MBA programs in the US and secured admission from USC Marshall. Meanwhile, Rohit joined Kelley; through him, I got to know about the Kelley full-time MBA program. The more we discussed his first-year experience at Kelley, the more I started liking the program. While I was in the Indian Navy, we were driven by the motto “Sail together or Sink together”. I found everyone from the Kelley community very supportive and I valued the collaborative culture. Kelley was the only two-year MBA program I applied to, and I am happy that I am here now.

Kelley MBA – A once in a lifetime learning experience. Having spent almost 10 years in the military, I had to unlearn some things and re-learn new things while I transitioned from the military to the corporate world. My MBA made that process smooth, easy, and efficient. I really love the multicultural environment at Kelley, where I have fellow classmates from more than 30 different countries. GLOBASE is another opportunity for me to learn about multicultural experiences and doing business in different parts of the world. I am astonished at how my diverse classmates come up with different unique solutions for the same business problem during a case discussion in class. I am part of Supply Chain Academy and Digital Enterprise (SCADE), which is one of the best decisions I made at Kelley. I learned a lot of practical aspects of Supply Chain & Operations through expert speaker sessions, and industry visits to companies such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, Subaru of Indiana, GE, and Whirlpool manufacturing facilities, etc. Once you add the academy experience with core classes, case competitions, and club activities, learning from each one of my classmates will enable me to succeed in the years to come.

Striking the balance. Kelley alumni often told me that an MBA is all about prioritizing. There are so many things going on around the campus and the town. However, one must prioritize what you want out of the MBA program, and what your long-term and post-MBA goals are. Networking was very new, and I wanted to improve at it. I spent a lot of time networking with alumni and corporate recruiters to help me hone my skills and comfort level. Since most of my experience was from the military, following hierarchy and chain of command was engrained in me. It was a challenge to leave my comfort zone and feel comfortable with networking. While academics and recruiting kept me busy throughout business hours, my family and friends did their part to keep me on my toes during the off hours. “Halloween Party at Bluebird. Come on let’s go” says my friends; whereas my wife says, “Kids want to go Trick or Treating”. ‘Whom should I say no to?’ Of course, I went Trick or Treating. I have the same dilemma (friends or family) for Christmas, Diwali, other celebrations, and weekend parties. Balancing an MBA and a personal life for a student like me with a family requires meticulous planning. But I think I tried to strike the balance between the two although my wife disagrees with me on this.

Pathways to my career. I wholeheartedly thank Kelley MBA alumni and Graduate Career Services for helping me be successful during both my internship and full-time career search. The Kelley staff and alumni have helped me with numerous mock interviews, casings, and networking sessions. Their support has been the stepping stone to my success. Last summer I interned with Mercury Marine, in their Corporate Strategy Leadership Development Program. Those 10 weeks have taught me a lot about what I need to excel in Corporate America. That transformative experience along with the support of Kelley has given me the opportunity to realize my potential and succeed with a full-time offer from Amazon. While my first year was full of academics, networking, and recruiting, by contrast, my second year is more contributing to the Kelley community. As VP of the Data & Operations Club and the Veterans Club, I enjoy giving back to the community from which I received a lot. As I am enjoying the last few months of my MBA, I am looking forward to joining Amazon in Seattle as a Senior Product Manager upon graduation and continuing my journey as a Kelley MBA alum.

Kelley has not just helped me in achieving my post-MBA goal but has also given me lifelong experiences and made my moments go to momentum.

The Gratitude Jar

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By Tanushree Mitra, MBA’23

Sometimes I wake up and my first thought is “I didn’t get enough sleep.” Then, I look at my to-do list and realize I don’t have enough time to get halfway through it. I go to the bus stop and discover that I missed the bus. Later, I come home to realize that I had missed an assignment submission.

You get the picture: It’s easy to go through days feeling like you’re never wealthy enough, thin enough, or successful enough. When we compare what we have with what everyone else has, it becomes a draining cycle that always ends in the same conclusion: “Wish I did something more.”

For the moments when this self-doubting mentality crops up, I’ve found one simple tool to be helpful: The gratitude jar. A gratitude jar is a fun way to create reminders of all the blessings in our lives. Essentially, it’s a place to record and store everything you’re thankful for.

Over the last 27 years, I have had a lot of moments in my life that I have felt thankful for, but the Kelley MBA journey is easily the top 3. Not only will I leave with a degree from one of the most well-known schools in the country but also with a sense of belonging, lifelong friends, a strong community, and just a feeling of settlement. So, here is a list of my Kelley gratitude jar!

KELLEY FUN
I am thankful for gaining such a rich holistic experience that made me grow in all spheres of life. The Kelley program not only has academic advancement opportunities but also opportunities to just have fun. Coming from India, I had never experienced a Tailgate. Frankly, I didn’t even know what it was. Only to find out that in American football you actually don’t use your foot, I was ecstatic to experience a big part of the American culture. Tailgates are my favorite as you get to giggle and mingle with all your classmates in a fun open space. Even though I thought I knew what I was expecting out of an MBA program, I never thought the people and the events would become a significant part of my memory.


KELLEY ACHIEVEMENTS
I am thankful for the success that I was able to achieve because of the Kelley MBA. I had a great summer internship at Amazon in Seattle, and I am grateful to get the opportunity to go back there full-time. This gives me a sense of security and a feeling of settlement. The Amazon experience was something that would cherish for a lifetime. Due to COVID, it had been a while since I had physically been to work and experienced the complete corporate life. Yes, ZOOM meetings are fine, but nothing beats the experience of getting ready in the morning to leave for work, packing your lunch, working in your assigned office space, chit-chatting with your colleagues, turning around, and knowing you have your manager to answer your questions, going out on team outings, taking coffee/lunch breaks and coming back feeling content and fulfilled. The cherry on the top of the cake was having my Kelley family with me in Seattle. I didn’t even once feel alone in a new city. We explored Seattle together, went out on lunches/dinners, heard everyone’s internship stories, and just had fun together.

KELLEY PRIDE
I am thankful for the achievements that make my parents, family, and friends proud of me. Born and brought up in India, it was never easy for me to leave my people and move to another part of the world. I miss them every day, all day. But what makes me sleep peacefully at night is knowing that they are proud of me. They have seen me grow, they have seen my challenges and successes and they are the most important part of my journey. I would have not been the person I am without their love, support, and trust. The Kelley journey would have been incomplete without them being by my side always. The structure of the MBA program is such that you find time to go and meet your family during summer, spring, or winter break. I grabbed all possible chances and took a 16-hour flight back to India only to see my people. Spending 2-3 weeks at home, helped me recharge and get back to the grind with newfound energy.

KELLEY FAMILY
I am thankful to the Kelley network that helped me advance professionally. I have been part of the Cornell case competition, where we secured 3rd position. It was a dream come true as Kelley sponsored our teams’ trip to New York, where we could present in person to the judges, who were renowned professionals from big companies. We also competed against top universities from across the country. Further through my Business Marketing Academy, I was part of the MBA consulting team for Ecolab. We created a Go-to-market strategy for their hand care division. I felt the value of our insights when leaders from Ecolab came personally to Bloomington to listen to our recommendations for their business. The professors, the alumni, the MBA office, and of course your classmates are the biggest asset that comes with the Kelley MBA program. I am grateful and thankful for the journey I have embarked upon. It’s a lifetime of beautiful memories.

A summer of growth and balance

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By Charishma Myneni, MBA’23

This summer was a summer of learning. I spent most of my summer in Austin working with Dell Technologies as a product management intern. After my internship, I was able to explore some parts of the U.S. and visited Nashville, Washington DC, Tampa, LA, and Madison for the first time.

The Dell University Relations team provided a holistic experience by putting together a super structured internship program and organizing tons of social events for the intern class. My project was to identify monetizable opportunities and devise a go-to-market strategy for open-source software related to the Dell storage portfolio. Though the first two weeks were all about getting up to speed with the features of the product, I spent the next few weeks surveying customers, researching the market, and gathering insights from internal stakeholders. Using all the information, I devised a monetization strategy that made a significant impact on the team and the business unit.

The best part about my internship was that I got to connect with 50+ people working across five cross-functional teams. I loved Dell’s flexible work culture with no restrictions on where and when I work. The work environment was fast-paced and challenging, but everyone respected each other’s time and work-life balance. Being part of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), attending external conferences with my team, and volunteering for local NGOs helped me build a strong network within Dell.

Looking back on my internship experience, some things that worked well for me:

  • Meeting with my manager and mentor regularly (at least once a week) to keep them up to date on my project progress and seek continuous feedback
  • Being part of employee resource groups and attending ERG events to understand the organization’s culture beyond work.
  • Having a draft presentation deck from week 3 helped drive the conversations and receive early feedback on my project approach
  • Making sure that all the stakeholders are on board with my recommendations before my final presentation.
  • Using different Kelley resources such as professors, IU library, and Graduate Career Services during the internship. A huge shout out to GCS for making me reflect on my internship journey through “finishing strong” and “opening move” sessions.

 

I finished my internship with great feedback from my manager and all stakeholders. I am more confident now that I can make impactful decisions in a high-stakes environment. I left Austin with a lot of swag from Dell and an amazing feeling that I made a positive impact on the team and the organization.

My learning did not end at Austin. I went straight to Washington DC for the Washington Campus program. The best thing about it was regrouping with my Kelley friends after 3 months. The week was filled with many informative sessions on public policy and touring beautiful monuments and memorials in Washington. Then came the most awaited part of my summer – Florida!  I loved the beaches in St. Petersburg and Clearwater. The roller coaster rides in Universal and Falcon’s fury in Busch Gardens helped me relive my childhood. I can’t think of any better way to end my summer. I am super excited to be back in Bloomington for my second year and to reunite with my amazing classmates at Kelley.

 

The Kelley Network

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By Jacob Shinoff, MBA’23

As I began my internship at Kellogg’s as a Brand Marketing Intern, I quickly realized that the frameworks and concepts learned in the Consumer Marketing Academy directly applied to the project I was working on. Before the start of my internship, I was able to work on projects with companies to solve their business problems. This experience and understanding had a profound impact that set me up for success in my internship. While the concepts and knowledge you learn in the classroom are the best in the nation, it is the Kelley Network that helps to round out your skillsets.

Leading up to this point in my career, I knew I always wanted to be in a culture that embodies collaboration. The Kelley culture only further illustrated what led to this true spirit. Coming into my internship at Kellogg’s, I had to prepare by knowing about its current long-term strategies and how it hopes to position itself. I knew the best way to learn more was to utilize the Kelley Network. When working in an internship, you have multiple stakeholders; thankfully, with the Kelley Network’s solid footprint, you will have the chance to speak with other Kelleys at the organization you’re interning at. With such an extensive network, you can talk with people at various stages of their careers, all the way from c-suite executives to recent MBA Graduates. Still, the one consistency across every individual is the genuine feeling of wanting to see you succeed continues to be carried by all Kelley alumni.

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is that how you succeed is all about how you set yourself up for success. No matter the industry you go into, either in your internship or in your full-time role, it comes with great comfort that the Kelley Network is cheering you on as you continue your journey. I can comfortably say that this spirit will continue going forward as I can already see this occurring with the relationships I’m building with my current classmates, who will be the Kelley network’s future generation. Here’s to the next generation of Kelley alumni that I look forward to being a part of.

Celebrating Independence

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Bhavyaa Sanghvi Full time MBA, Class of 2023 | Forté FellowBy Bhavyaa Sanghvi, MBA’23 | Forté Fellow

Enjoying a summer break tops the list of all the unexpected benefits of returning to school. While I relish the grind and the constant need to be chasing a goal, winding down and relaxing for just a bit has afforded me some time to introspect and truly decipher what independence has meant to me.

I grew up in Mumbai, India in a cross-generational family. Having spent most of my adulthood living with my parents, as is the norm back home, independence meant getting to set my own rules. Moving out and building a home in a new country, continents apart, helped me realize it was so much more.

Independence to “figure it out”

Starting afresh is tough. Having left the comfort of my home and the silent support of my family, I now had to adopt the role of cook, cleaner, and housekeeper as efficiently as I could from the get-go. I wish I could say I figured it all out by myself – but it sure does take a village and some Kelleys to help you along the way. The Woodbridge crew* (MBA’23 pictured left) played partners-in-crime/guinea pigs for this MasterChef-in-the-making while Ashwin Vadalkar, Manish Jha, Rohit Raman (MBA’22) doubled up as grocery-guides and furniture-haulers as I figured out how to set up a home. Being an accountant at heart (shout out to our amazing Prof. Brian Miller for reigniting my love for the subject), crafting the budget life was easy, but Bloomington International Student Ministries (BISM) and Asian MBAA club helped provide crucial tips and tricks I needed, to implement the same. I was also lucky enough to find not one but three safety nets in Rob Hendrickson, Zach Herge, and Parth Goradia (MBA’23) who were there when I didn’t have it all figured out. And in all honesty, I am still learning to enjoy this independence – but knowing I will find my way with the help of my classmates and mentors, makes it all worth it.

Independence of Choice

With over 100 different classes available, my Spring semester schedule was but a matter of choice. This, for me, was a unique experience since the collegiate structure in India is relatively uniform. The subjects I would be required to take and the schedule I would follow to earn a Bachelor of Commerce degree in India might look identical to that of my classmate’s. However, at Kelley, your MBA is one of your own makings. Carving my path was an empowering experience and thanks to the guidance of my coach, Emily Stern, I am set to earn a Major in Business Analytics and Management along with a Minor in Marketing.

I would be remiss if I do not mention one of my earliest and probably easiest choice—my first year Academy: Consulting Academy. This experiential learning course led by J. Scott Laughner and GCS Coach Suzanne Stuebe not only helped me build the right skill set but also the right mindset to succeed in my chosen career path. Thanks to the support of this amazing group and the CA-GAs (Consulting Academy Graduate Assistants) – Farrah Bhimani and Rebecca Shanker (MBA ’22), I am currently interning at EY, a Big four consulting firm, in Chicago.

Independence to Grow

It’s only human to gloss over memories of busy periods in your life; the times you stuck your head down and hustled. Year 1 of my MBA feels like a reel of all the core homework sessions, hangouts with my core team (shout out to Green 4!), recruiting, casing, networking sessions, and Kelley club socials, in fast forward. But it is to these experiences that I owe thanks – for affording me the independence to grow professionally, socially, and personally. I never believed alumni when they said they made friends for life, here at school. After all, how do you forge close friendships over just two years? Well, Year 1 is just about done, and I can not-so-grudgingly admit that they were right. For those saying “Pics or it didn’t happen” – here is a picture of Kelleys in Chicago, hanging out together on a sunny day, sharing and growing together as Kelleys do.

In celebration, here’s to another year of figuring it out, some more choices, and growth. I am grateful for this opportunity and am excited for everyone who accepted not only an offer to the Kelley MBA program but also an offer to find their own versions of independence! Go Hoosiers!

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