When Oscar Reyes first attended the Kelley School of Business Indianapolis, he thought accounting and finance would be his career choice. Then, he took Integrative Core (I-Core), which exposed him to supply chain management and changed his path forever.
“Professor Mark Ippolito had an extra credit opportunity for students to attend an Association for Operations Management (APICS) meeting. I went to the meeting not really thinking much about supply chain, and I fell in love,” said Reyes, who graduated in 2012 with majors in supply chain, finance, and international studies.
Reyes is currently a financial analyst working in a financial planning and analysis group for Ingram Micro in Scottsdale, Ariz. He gathers and analyzes financial data to help improve performance for various groups within the Fortune 100 company. Ingram Micro is the largest wholesale technology distributor and a global leader in IT supply-chain, mobile-device lifecycle services.
While a Kelley student, Reyes often visited Kelley Indianapolis Career Services. He took a personality test, which validated his chosen career path, and he received help with his résumé, cover letters, and job fair participation.
“I strongly encourage current students to use (KICS) as much as you can, and don’t wait until you’re about to graduate to start using them,” said Reyes. “The sooner, the better. I highly recommend taking the personality test. It’s good to find out more about yourself, and it will help you make the right career choice.”
Projects and exercises that Reyes completed at Kelley Indianapolis helped to prepare him for the transition from the classroom to the workplace.
“Working within groups is also a major component of Kelley’s focus, and that’s something that I feel has helped me tremendously because I work in a lot different group settings,” said Reyes. “I work with the finance group and many other groups. Group work prepares students for the work environment that you are going to experience in your career.”
Reyes encourages job fairs as a way to get in front of recruiters and leave a lasting impression. He also suggests that internships are a great way to gain experience.
“If you do land an internship, view that period of time as an open interview. It’s your chance to prove to employers that you’re ready for the full-time job, and it could also open many doors,” said Reyes. “Take the Excel and Access classes seriously; those are essential tools in today’s business world.”
Using Kelley Indianapolis Career Services and networking are Reyes’ advice for making the most out of your Kelley Indianapolis undergraduate experience.
“Stay positive and just keep working towards your dream job. Remember, personality and confidence go a long way,” said Reyes.
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