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Kelley School of Business Indiana University Bloomington
Full-Time +Flex MBA Program

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.

(more…)

Alumni Spotlight: Seann Kim, MBA 2018

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Seann Kim, MBA’18, joined the Kelley full-time MBA program after a decade of military service. Seann is now an investment banking associate-Global Industrials Group at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Chicago, IL

Where are you from, and where were you living before you came to Kelley?
I’m originally from Palatine, IL. Pre-Kelley, I was stationed at Joint-Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state. While there, my family lived in beautiful Tacoma, WA, where we fell in love with the Pacific Northwest.

Before coming to Kelley, you graduated from West Point and served as an Army Special Forces Detachment Commander. What motivated you to return to graduate school for an MBA?
After a decade of rigorous military training and deployments around the world, my wife and I decided that we needed to transition to a different lifestyle. At the time, I wasn’t confident or fully prepared to pursue a specific and new career directly from the military, especially with a wife and three young kids. I believed that a full-time MBA experience would be the perfect transition for a vet back to the civilian sector. That said, I had an amazing experience as a Green Beret and wouldn’t trade it for the world.

What led you to choose Kelley over other MBA programs?
When I was exploring different programs, my sister’s boyfriend was in his 2nd year at Kelley. During his time in Bloomington, he routinely kept me up to date with his MBA experience. I eventually attended Experience Weekend. That validated a lot of the views he shared with me about Kelley’s culture, academic experience, network, and potential to maneuver my way into sought-after careers. That weekend, I officially committed to Kelley and since I did it in person, I got some cool Kelley swag! (more…)

The Power of the Kelley Alumni Network

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When Daniel de Moura Bernardes lost a job offer after graduating from the Kelley full-time MBA program due to the global pandemic, he could have never known that a tennis lesson would lead to an offer for his dream job. Listen in as Daniel discusses his last semester as a Kelley MBA in unprecedented times and how the power of the Kelley alumni network connected him to the perfect opportunity.
Ready to create the future you want like Daniel? Learn more about why the Kelley MBA is right for you.

Finding a new family at Kelley

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Siafa Hage
MBA Candidate | Class of 2021 | CGSM

The Kelley Consortium

Attending the Kelley School of Business Full-Time MBA Program is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Being taught by eager and world-class faculty and having the support of Graduate Career Services are two reasons why. But nothing has been more enriching than my membership into the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management (CGSM) family. There are definite admission awards specific to being a Kelley School CGSM member: merit scholarship, free health care during your two years of study, and dedicated faculty-led study sessions during the Core semester, to name a few. The admissions package is the outcome of not only gaining admission to Kelley but also successfully completing an independent Consortium admissions process. It represents Kelley’s commitment to eliminating the barriers that prevent many underrepresented minorities from seeking an MBA degree.

We are Family
But there is an even greater benefit that I gained through Kelley Consortium membership – family. Even before my CGSM ’21 cohort started our first class, we had bonded. We spent the summer before school preparing for and attending the Consortium Orientation Program, which gave us early recruiting access to some of the most sought-after companies. When we finally arrived on campus, we were welcomed by the CGSM class of ’20, who hosted small group dinners for us at their homes. They also planned community service activities, a Thanksgiving potluck to show off our culinary skills (or lack thereof), and a white elephant Christmas party (can you believe someone gift wrapped bacon?!). But most of all, it’s the marathon study sessions in the Kelley MBA Lounge and impromptu get-togethers at each other’s homes that I cherish the most. These were the moments where we fretted, struggled, and laughed until we cried. These were the moments when we strengthened already unbreakable bonds.

Leadership at Kelley

While we are a close-knit group, we are equally proud to be members of the overall Kelley community. This is demonstrated by our collective leadership. Of the 31 official clubs for MBA students, a third are led by Consortium members: Innovators Club, Food Club, Beer Club, Marketing Club, Luxury Marketing Club, Out@Kelley, Diversity Champions, Latino MBA Association, and Black MBA Association. The student body president is also a CGSM member and the president of the Partners Club is the spouse of a Consortium student. Additionally, we serve as graduate assistants in many areas, including two of us serving on the Admissions Committee. Proudly, we are integrated into the fabric of the Kelley community in diverse ways.

Join Us!
The 2021 and 2022 Consortium cohorts self-identify as Black, white, Latino, and Asian. We are citizens of 3 different countries. Our professional experiences, reasons for attending business school, and post-Kelley career goals vary widely. But what we have in common is a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Specifically, we are committed to the mission of the Consortium, which is to increase the representation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans in business schools, corporate America, the non-profit sector, government, and entrepreneurship. All U.S. citizens and permanent residents committed to this mission are encouraged to apply to Kelley through the Consortium. As a Consortium Liaison for the 2020-2021 academic year, I look forward to welcoming you into the Kelley Consortium family.

Summer in Bloom

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By Cait Hickey, MBA’21

When the Class of 2021 kicked off our business school experience last fall, we knew that we would be pursuing internships that would disperse us all over the country the following summer. With that said, we made the most of every fall tailgate, Bluebird concert, and opportunity to Sink the Biz. We rented the 10th and College clubhouse for game nights, bussed to Columbus for a beer festival, and threw every themed party. In case Eric Johnson or Kyle Cattani is reading this, we also found time to network and study diligently!

But as the spring semester came to a close and the world went virtual, we found ourselves in the one place we never thought we would be this summer: Bloomington, IN. And we fell in love with Bloomington all-new (physically distant) ways.

I bought a bike and explored the B-Line. We went camping and introduced some of our international classmates to smores. We played pickleball at Switchyard Park and tennis at Bryant Park. The veterans led a virtual workout that we started doing every Monday and Wednesday morning outside of City Hall (try it here). We ordered BBQ nachos from Big Woods, picked up coffee from Hopscotch and too many pastries from Two Sticks, and have tested our share of DaVinci pizzas.

Whenever I am asked how my summer was, I always say it was a summer in Bloom! We got to experience a quiet Bloomington summer and spend more time with our classmates. We are so excited that the first-years are making their way to campus and already look forward to the first time we get to come back to Bloomington to recruit the next generation of Kelleys!

What I Love About Bloomington

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By Danielle VeZolles

As you’re exploring business schools and determining where to apply, I encourage you to take a closer look at Indiana University Kelley School of Business. Sure, I could tell you about the Core curriculum, our amazing professors, or experiential learning through our Academies. But I’d like to provide you with a perspective on another aspect of the Kelley School of Business experience: living in Bloomington, Indiana. Bloomington is a quintessential college town. It’s full of eclectic restaurants, classic college bars, and independent boutiques. But what I’ve found most compelling about the B-town experience has been the beautiful campus, the recreational areas, and the slower pace of life.

Beautiful Campus Indiana University was founded in 1820 and just celebrated its 200th birthday this year. The nearly 2,000-acre campus is full of historic buildings, including some that date back to the late 19th century. Most of the buildings are constructed of beautiful locally quarried Indiana Limestone. You’ll also find ample greenspace throughout campus where students can be found stretched out in hammocks or catching up with friends and catching some rays. While you’re trekking through campus, you’re bound to encounter some of the most famed residents – the countless friendly squirrels that call our campus home. It’s easy to spend your entire day at Kelley, but there’s no better way to end a long day of class than with a leisurely stroll through campus.

Recreational Areas If you love being active, you’ll find plenty of outdoor venues to enjoy in Bloomington and the surrounding areas. Lake Monroe and Griffy Lake are two favorites that are just a short drive away where you can hike or rent watercraft like pontoons, canoes, or kayaks. Beyond Bloomington, there is Nashville, Indiana, an artist colony nestled among the wooded rolling hills. It’s also home to Brown County State Park where there are numerous hiking trails and scenic views – especially during the fall months. My favorite locale for walking, running, and biking in Bloomington is the B-Line Trail. This paved multi-use trail stretches 3.1 miles and is the perfect place to unwind solo or with a friend.

Slower Pace of Life It’s no secret that Bloomington is not located in a major city. Many students who pursue their MBA come from bustling metropolitan areas and the contrast of a college town can be quite stark. However, if you are looking to slow down and truly immerse yourself in your MBA program, you’ll find Bloomington to be an ideal fit. Living in Bloomington provides the grounds to immediately feel a deep sense of community, fostered by the connections made in Me, Inc. and in the Core. In Bloomington, you’ll have access to everything you need – without the distraction or cost of living of a major city. However, if you’re itching for city amenities or a change of scenery, Indianapolis is a quick one-hour drive away.

Bloomington is a wonderful place to call home for two years and enjoying life outside of Kelley makes the MBA experience even richer.

MBA Momentum Podcast: How to build a recession-proof career in supply chain management and decision science

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Join us for our second episode of the MBA Momentum Podcast – a new offering that enables listeners to hear from Kelley professors and alums on various topics of interest. In this episode, IU Kelley MBA Professor of Operations Management Kyle Cattani discusses how companies are eager to hire supply chain-focused MBA students and what industries are hot versus not for decision science and supply chain management careers.

Building and Maintaining Relationships at Kelley

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Ashley Scott
MBA’21 | Consortium Fellow

When I accepted my internship at E&J Gallo Winery, I had imagined spending my summer working in California and exploring everything that it had to offer (vineyards, Lake Tahoe, vineyards, Yosemite, and did I mention vineyards?) Because of COVID-19, I decided to stay in Bloomington, IN and honestly think that this is the best choice I made for me given the circumstances. I saved money and most importantly, I get to further build relationships with my other classmates who also chose to remain in Bloomington, IN. If there is anything that I’ve learned at Kelley, it is the power of building relationships.

 

In the last week of August, I remember when my class and I first started the Core and mid-through the week we attended Kelley Roundtables. Kelley Roundtables was the first networking event for the year hosted by GCS. We had the opportunity to network with companies. But, what made this networking night unique was at each company table there was a Kelley alumnus. My first interaction with E&J Gallo Winery was with two alumni. E&J Gallo Winery normally recruits on campus for Marketing Interns, but I had expressed interest in Supply Chain. I was immediately connected with people at E&J Gallo Winery, and I used those people’s connections to be connected with others. At the end of September, I received an offer to interview with Gallo at the National Black MBA Conference not only because of my work history but because of the networking I did beforehand. The National Black MBA Conference is an annual conference for networking and recruiting for internships and full-time offers. It is an inclusive event and not only for people of color. The networking didn’t just stop after National Black and my interview, I made sure to remain connected and follow up with the people who I made connections with.

When people say Kelley is like a family, it’s true. When I received the offer from Gallo, a few of the E&J Gallo alumni reached out to me to ensure they can answer any and all questions for me to say “yes” to the offer. Don’t be mistaken, the relationship between alum is similar no matter what company they’re at. A Kelley is always willing to go the extra mile to help another Kelley.

For the remainder of the summer, I will continue to foster the Kelley spirit of networking at my internship at Gallo, and for the rest of my career.

Pivoting as an MBA Community

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Nick Chominski, MBA’21

As I think back on the past month-plus, I cannot help but think about the incredible Kelley community. It was unimaginable months ago, just as it was across the world, to think that we would have our lives turned upside down. Yet, as I have realized, the worst of times help you appreciate the best parts of everything else.

In April, I had my original summer internship at a management consulting firm rescinded due to COVID-19. Like others around the country who have also lost their internships, or worse, full-time jobs, I was stunned. We all feel invincible until we don’t. My first reaction was to tell the second-year MBAs that had helped train and coach me to get that internship. As always, they were incredibly supportive. Next, I reached out to my academy director and career coach in Graduate Career Services and I will never forget their reactions. It was essentially this: “Don’t worry, no problem, we have your back.” Instantly, a sense of calm washed over me. I knew that it, in fact, would not be a problem and that I would rebound. Afterward, I reached out to the rest of my network on LinkedIn and other recent Kelley alumni that I knew. It would be an understatement to say that I received incredibly supportive messages of encouragement from everyone. I now felt even more supported and empowered after hearing from people across my network. After a couple interviews over roughly 3 weeks, I had landed two more offers for the summer and finally accepted a new, 10-week, internship starting June 1st*. There were certainly moments of doubt over that time, but I always had the supportive Kelley community to rely on for words of wisdom and additional help.

Once the semester ended, though, I was stuck. As in, literally stuck in Bloomington since it was not feasible to go home to the east coast and my internship would be remote. So, over the last few weeks, I have, again, relied on the Kelley friendships and overall community for support. Most of my first-year friends have stayed local as well so it has been a chance to get to know them even better. As the weather has warmed up that has included long, socially distanced, walks down the B-line or numerous rounds of golf (and thus searching for golf balls) at the local course. The best moments of all though have come at the local park, The Mill, near where most of us live that has become the unofficial MBA summer picnic spot. So far, we have celebrated at least three birthdays there and, I expect, will do so for more throughout the summer. It has been the highlight of my time off before my internship and I expect it will be so the rest of the summer weekends.

Now though, as coffee shops and restaurants in Bloomington continue to reopen, a sense of normalcy is returning to all our lives. It won’t be like it was before, but I know that, along with the rest of the MBA community, it will be pretty darn close and that’s good enough for me.

*Nick will be interning with AthenaHealth in their customer success/business transformation team. 

MBA Life During COVID-19: Bringing Out the Best in Us

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By Jake Frego, MBA’21

Life within the Kelley MBA program has changed over the past few months, just as it has for the rest of the world. Since the conclusion of spring break, all classes have been conducted over Zoom, many of my classmates have returned home, and exams have been completed online. This is a time of uncertainty, during which end-of-the-year celebrations have been virtualized and internship plans have been subject to change or cancellation.

Yet, what I have found, and what I am sure many of my classmates would assert, is that this time of isolation has been an opportunity as well. Specifically, it has encouraged me to count and appreciate my blessings as a member of the Kelley MBA program. Distance does, in fact, make the heart fonder; I find that I am increasingly missing the casual conversations that occur in the hallways after class, the opportunity for my four roommates and I to host class gatherings at our house, and the ability to see my professors in-person. I know that my return to campus, when it does occur, will be sweet because it will be a joyous re-gathering of the Kelley community.

Kelleys rise to the occasion when presented with a challenge. Since March, this has been particularly evident across the Kelley community, as exhibited by students, faculty, and staff. With regard to students, I have witnessed my classmates collaborate to deliver exceptional outcomes, despite the inability to meet in-person. I was a member of a team that was scheduled to travel to Thailand for a GLOBASE trip over spring break. The trip was canceled, but, undeterred, my team members and I continued weekly calls with our Thai client. We delivered a pricing model that will improve the client’s ability to negotiate, and his feedback was, “Despite the best part of GLOBASE being canceled, you guys stuck with me and really went over and beyond to deliver something that will no doubt bring so much value as we move into this new side of the business. I can’t say enough how appreciative I am of you guys! I’ll say again, please come visit Thailand, especially Chiang Mai.”

Next, our faculty have been nothing short of excellent in their patience, availability, and competency. I have to admit, I was apprehensive about learning exclusively on-line. I have learned as much in this environment, however, as I did in-person, if not more. There have been many class sessions during which professors have handled technology snafus with grace and have graciously answered questions from the Zoom chatbox. And, finally, the Kelley staff has been noticeably proactive in their efforts to ensure that we feel supported and connected. For example, Executive Director Gale Gold Nichols hosted a cookie baking Zoom session on a weekend afternoon, which was attended by a mix of my first- and second-year peers.

While this semester has not transpired as expected, I can nonetheless say that it has been a good one. I look forward to the summer opportunities ahead and to more days in Bloomington in the future!

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