Discovering Your Unique Path

By: Anonymous

With 7,500 undergraduate students on the Bloomington campus, 18 majors, 4 minors, and 1 certificate available, Kelley is an environment for personal and academic growth. Although the majority of Kelley students are either finance or accounting majors, there are a variety of paths to explore and truly personalize your college experience.

It can be easy to find yourself tunneled into either finance or accounting if you enter college unsure about what you want to pursue. I am a firsthand example; Freshman year I entered Kelley with the mindset “I am going to be an accounting major, work for the Big Four, and join Women in Business.” Women in Business didn’t work out, and after my first A100 accounting class second semester, I quickly realized accounting wasn’t my strong suit. Following this turmoil, I found that sophomore year confirmed I wasn’t passionate about accounting, then junior year I-Core confirmed finance was not my destiny.

To be frank, I am not disappointed in this revelation because I found a true passion for the brand management, marketing, and advertising side of business—the one that often gets overlooked. Originally thinking I was set on working for the Big Four, I now am confident I want to work for a marketing or advertising agency. I’ve discovered it is completely normal to feel many moments of doubt, discomfort, and confusion because they are stepping stones to finding a passion you can transform into a career. There is no growth without discomfort. Students question why everyone takes the same classes until Junior year, especially when the course load can seem to be finance and accounting heavy at times. Reflecting back, Kelley wants each student to dip their toes in every major to gain a variety of knowledge, but more importantly, Kelley wants students to learn about themselves and how to productively work in teams comprised of students across the globe and in a variety of majors.

If you are not in Kelley but want to pursue a career in business, that is great too! Just because you are not in School of Business does not mean you cannot pursue a career in business, and vice versa. One of my close friends did not get accepted into Kelley freshman year due to a single B-.  Naturally she was disappointed, however she quickly learned that there are many other areas of study at IU to pursue a business-related degree, and is now majoring in economics and minoring in Kelley. Luckily, she has not felt set back in any way and through the process, she’s learned a great deal about herself and what career she wants to pursue. Another friend of mine is a math major and is affiliated with the Liberal Art & Management Program (LAMP). Both are incredibly bright, intelligent, and are applying to similar or the same internships as Kelley students.

Overall, IU offers a plethora of opportunities catering to a large spectrum of majors and personalities. Every school at IU hosts students with exceptional talent, all you need to do is look!

Rules to Live By as a Kelley Freshman

By: Kayla Streicher

Congratulations on choosing IU and choosing Kelley! We're so excited to have you here. As you'll come to discover in just a few short days, college is a lot different (and infinitely better, might I add) than high school and it'll take you a little while to learn the ropes. Luckily, you have your trusted friends with Kelley Student Government to help you make an absolutely flawless transition!

Go to office hours.

Your parents have probably told you to take advantage of office hours and you probably told them you would to get them off your back, but seriously, GO TO OFFICE HOURS. Your professor will be a lot more inclined to answer your questions and help you out if they've actually seen you one on one versus trying to place you out of their 1200 students they see every day.

Get involved in something you actually care about.

Sign up for 37 clubs at Kelley Carnival because you can't pick just one. You have so much access to information as a freshman, and every single club is looking for fresh faces that can make their organization better. It's much better to go to lots of call-outs and narrow it down from there than it is to miss out on opportunities that might have been perfect for you. BUT: don't join because you think it'll look good on your resume. It's much easier to discuss something you're passionate about in an interview than it is to make something up on the spot about an organization you're indifferent towards.

Don't be a freshman.

Spare no expense to avoid 8 ams. You're going to think you can do it because you started school at 7:30 in high school. It is different and you'll be miserable. Don't do it. Don't be a freshman.

Just ask someone where a classroom is instead of spending 20 minutes trying to find it. Don't be a freshman.

Go to class. It can be hard sometimes (especially when it's -4 outside) but you'll really be wishing you had an absence left when you're sick or trying to get an early start to a break but your accounting discussion ends at 9 pm on a Thursday. Don't be a freshman.

Make the first move. 

Ask upperclassmen or professors if they'd like to get coffee sometime in the Kelley Cafe. A simple 20 minute conversation can make a monumental difference. Take advantage of the opportunities that come with being a newbee. You'll gain a world of knowledge, and people will probably be pretty impressed that you took the initiative to reach out first.

Take advantage of the UCSO and Kelley Advising (do this sooner rather than later).

They want to help you and get to know you, but now that you're in college, it's your job to take the time to go see them. If you've got questions or just want advice, do this as soon as you can. Advising is packed during the weeks leading up to scheduling time and the UCSO is always busy once the fall semester is in full swing. The UCSO takes appointments and you'll be amazed by how much better you'll feel after you go see them.

Make friends in your classes.

Nothing is more frustrating than having a question about your homework and having no one to ask. Find someone in your specific section if you can. This will make it easier to get your questions answered and make sure that you know your due dates. On a side note, it'll be nice to have someone saving your unassigned assigned seat, which takes me back to not being a freshman. Choose where you sit on your first day carefully: it will be your unassigned assigned seat and people really are protective over those.

Don't sweat it.

Yes, college is critical in shaping your career, and while it's important to do well, it's also important to experience being a college student. Don't freak out if things don't immediately start to go your way. College can be competitive, and you're going to be surrounded by other ambitious students going after the same goals you have. Use this to your advantage. Getting into an organization, landing an internship, and getting stellar grades don't have to be such a competition all the time. What's most important is that you pave your own path. Want to combine majors that you've never heard of being paired? Do it. Want a minor that interests you and is outside the realm of what some would consider practical? Do it. Want to create your own organization? Do it. There will be ups and downs, but ultimately, each experience you have (good or bad) will serve as a learning opportunity and maybe even lead to opportunities you've never even considered.

Make your Kelley experience truly yours. There is no one way to excel in college, so do what your passionate about, work hard, and don't forget to breathe every so often. We can't wait to welcome you all here in just a few weeks!

Things All Kelley Students Know to be True

1. You haven't lived until you've eaten a flatbread from the Kelley Cafe

2. The UCSO has the most comfortable chairs in Kelley

3. Searching for 30 minutes for an empty room is a rite of passage

4. It is worth the walk over to the SPEA cafe for the better coffee

5. All the doors at Kelley lock at 9:31pm on the dot

6. There are more companies that recruit than just the Big 4 accounting firms

7. You're most likely to run into Dean Kesner in the Kelley Cafe

8. Everyone has great memories of Vivian, even if they don't have great memories of A100

9. You're disappointed with G202 if you don't see anyone dance all semester

10. iCore is the easiest semester of your life... until you get to the exams

11. You'll find students who have never had a Friday class

12. Kelley students work hard and play hard!

Transferring is Tough

By Meghan Munson

There is no getting around it, transferring is tough and coming to a top ranked business school made it even more intimidating.  I pictured myself walking into Hodge Hall and just getting lost in shuffle.  I was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to join any of the Kelley clubs and that I would have difficulty getting caught up with the curriculum after being behind.  However my aspiration to be a member of the Kelley Business School drove me to go for it and get past those what turned out to be unfounded fears.

I remember attending the Kelley Carnival solely for information as I figured a non-Kelley student would not be eligible to join any organizations. I soon learned how welcoming the Kelley community truly is. Each booth was interested in talking with me, they encouraged me to apply and genuinely desired to help me succeed. I began attending meetings and getting to know more and more individuals as each continued to remind me of the same thing: Kelley welcomes all. Throughout the course of the semester, I was selected for a position in Kelley Student Government as well as Women in Business where I have the opportunity to meet more people and make an impact. I am currently working on a fundraising project for a local nonprofit through KISI’s Net Impact and the advisors have also welcomed me as one of their own, providing me with personalized and insightful advice.

Yes, transferring is tough and the intimidation factor of Kelley is very real, but this past semester has given me all I could’ve asked for and more. I have found mentors who challenge me, friends who laugh with me, and professors who believe in me. Not once did an individual question my worth as an aspiring Kelley student, but rather each has encouraged my efforts to make this school my own and welcomed me in with open arms. The Kelley School of Business has met and exceeded all my expectations. I have learned and grown more in one semester than I could have ever imagined.  I am so proud to say that I transferred to Indiana University and am looking forward to calling myself an official Kelley business student in the near future.

Close that Computer and Listen Up!

by Echo Angelicchio

Flash back to my sophomore year in the 11:15am section of A201. I’m sitting in one of the back rows, switching back and forth between browsing for a deal on K-cups on Amazon and catching up on homework for a different class. I’m sure there was some Facebook checking in there as well. I definitely had my course packet out, but it sat unopened under my laptop. I didn’t once raise my hand, and my professor probably wouldn’t recognize me in a crowd. I didn’t meet anyone new. I later spent hours on end in the library teaching myself accounting to master all the material before exams, often pulling all-nighters.

Flash forward to the first semester of my senior year, in my 9:30am Venture Growth Management class. We are not allowed to use laptops, or any technology at all while the professor calls out students at random to discuss material from the readings for that day’s lesson. I come to class prepared, I participate and engage openly, and I share ideas and opinions with classmates. I don’t pull all-night study sessions for exams, because I’m always caught up with the material. If you don’t do the readings, you are sure to feel incompetent and a little left out of the conversation come class time.

What I have learned since that A201 lecture is the value that shutting your laptop can bring to your classroom experience. Unfortunately, the class I just described is nowhere near the norm in Kelley. For the greater part of my academic career, I sat through classes, even very small lectures, where it felt like the professor was talking to the backs of laptops rather than students.

I know sometimes it’s hard to remember – I mean this in all seriousness, as I’m guilty of this, too – but we are here primarily to get an education. At the Kelley School of Business, we have the opportunity to get an incredible one. Most students would be shocked at the impressive and varied careers that our professors have had, and by how much we can actually learn from them beyond their course material. However, most of us also never take the time to get to know them beyond doing what's necessary to get a good grade. 

I can say from personal experience that the opportunities and accomplishments I’m most proud of have happened because of the relationships I’ve forged with some of my professors. You may not think that it's “cool” to befriend your teacher, but I can tell you that it’s one of the most genuinely cool things you can do.

Aside from the benefits you can gain from actively making an effort with your professors, you owe it to them and to yourself, and to whoever is paying your tuition, to engage in class. You aren’t ever going to look back and say you wish you had spent more time on Facebook in college. However, you might look back and regret not taking advantage of the knowledge and resources you have at your fingertips during these four short years.

Four Ways KSB Sets You Up For Success (That Have Nothing to Do with Money)

By Lauren Daas

This summer I had one of the best experiences of my life interning for Salesforce Marketing Cloud in Indianapolis. As a rising senior, I had been eyeing the cloud computing company for three years already and was ecstatic to have the opportunity to work for such a fantastic company. As I reflect on my internship now, I realize I owe much of my experience to the resources at the Kelley School of Business. While I’m not discrediting my own hard work and enthusiasm, I recognize that Kelley gave me all the tools I needed to get to this position; I just had to pick them up and use them. I know the launchpad Kelley has provided me will continue benefitting me for years to come. To explain my sentiment, I’ve identified four things Kelley gives students to set us up for future success – and, maybe surprisingly, they have nothing to do with money.

1. The ability to find your passion

Over 1,200 companies recruited Kelley students last school year which in my opinion is an astounding number. To put that into perspective, just over 1,300 Kelley seniors are registered with the Undergraduate Career Services Office (UCSO) website; this means there’s nearly a 1:1 ratio between employers and those seeking full-time employment. It also means that Kelley seniors have a wealth of companies to explore when seeking full-time employment. While some students enter Kelley with their dream companies etched in their brains, many are still finding their passions. The 1,200 companies that recruit at Kelley not only represent thousands of job openings, but thousands of opportunities to launch meaningful careers. The UCSO and other Kelley organizations do an excellent job at planning information sessions, meet and greets, and other recruiting events that allow students to learn about the different industries, companies, and positions available. And these opportunities begin freshman year. It’s how I found that my passion lies in connecting businesses with cutting edge technology and how some of my peers found their passion lies in helping individuals best manage their finances. There’s something for everyone.

2. The chance to build your life where you want to

The 1,200 companies that recruit at Kelley also represent hundreds of cities where Kelley students can start their careers or spend their summers. This makes it easy to prioritize where you want to live as much as where you want to work. And it makes it incredibly easy to find a job in the location you have your heart set on if that matters to you more than your work. Most companies have openings at more than one location, often on each coast and in the Midwest, making it even more possible for students to find both a company and location that are great fits for them. It is such a perk to be able to land where we want to right now. 

3. The peers you’ll be working with

Despite the large number of companies recruiting at Kelley, our entry-level job market is still incredibly competitive, both among Kelley students and other university students. However, the stress of the recruiting process becomes one of the biggest privileges of working for these top companies. At Salesforce this summer, I worked with the brightest group of people I’ve ever been surrounded by. Our shared work experience forged a strong bond between us, but our similarities as eager, passionate, intelligent young professionals is what is keeping us close after our internships ended. These relationships keep me on my toes, challenge me as a person and a professional, and made me excited to go to work every day. Kelley will keep me competing with the best long after graduation, and I’m so glad.

4. The security offered

Okay, this one has a little to do with money. But the security Kelley employers offer goes far beyond a competitive salary. The companies that recruit at Kelley are not only top of the line in their industries in regards to their products and services but their benefit programs as well. Speaking from personal experience, this summer I witnessed how Salesforce’s health benefits, 401k match, paid volunteer time off (VTO), and flexible work environment positively impacted the lives of my coworkers. Additionally, PwC, the second top full-time employer of Kelley graduates, offers one of the most innovative working mothers programs in the nation.

As a student surrounded by the resources of a public university and partially supported by my parents, I often take for granted things like health insurance, dental insurance, child care, and the like. It’s somewhat daunting to imagine that in a few short months it will be my responsibility to acquire these resources for myself. I am truly put at peace knowing that my Kelley degree has the power to help me get a job with a company who values me enough to provide these resources to me.

I know my valuable Kelley experience will continue adding value to the rest of my life far past graduation. If you’re interested in further statistics about Kelley recruiting, here is the 2015-2016 Annual Report from the Undergraduate Career Services Office (which mostly has to do with money).

Welcome to our Blog!

Welcome to Kelley BizFeed, the official blog of Kelley Student Government! Kelley Student Government is an organization that seeks to better the Kelley School of Business from the inside! We are a group of students with varied backgrounds who all share our input to make decisions and plan events for all Kelley students. We are all so excited to share our perspective and our experiences through this blog! Subscribe and tune in for new blog posts about classes, study abroad, internships, alumni experiences, and so much more! We hope this will be a resource for all of you as you move through Kelley!