Meet The Indiana Kelley MBA Class of 2017

Nicole Pechanec    

Indiana University, Kelley School of Business 

Hometown: Kenilworth, New Jersey

Undergraduate School and Major: Stanford University, B.S Engineering with Architectural Design Focus

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

NBC Sports – Associate Producer

USA Gymnastics – Program Coordinator

Staprans Design – Designer

Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf Architects – Graduate Architect

Recalling your own experience, what advice do you have for applicants who are preparing for either the GMAT or the GRE? With little previous business knowledge or experience, it was crucial to understand argument structure and remove any potential bias when analyzing GMAT problems. I also found reading the Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, or The Economist helpful in order to become familiar with the underlying language and reasoning behind business issues and topics.

Based on your own selection process, what advice do you have for applicants who are trying to draw up a list of target schools to which to apply? Take some time during the application process to really think about how the MBA experience will enhance your career goals. Not all business programs are the same. Although the program might have a self-reflection or career preparation program, finding out you are interested in a specific focus can help in choosing a list of schools that line up with your preferences and can be crucial to your overall MBA experience.

What advice do you have for applicants in actually applying to a school, writing essays, doing admission interviews, and getting recommenders to write letters on your behalf? Don’t be afraid to highlight your unique experiences. The diverse experiences that MBA students bring to the table greatly enhance the classes, projects, and work groups. It is what makes the MBA program invigorating, thought provoking, and constantly innovating. Be clear, be genuine, and be you!

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? I chose the IU Kelley School of Business because not only do the current students glow with excitement to be a part of the program, but the strong alumni network also shows the same level of excitement regardless of graduation year. This means that the program has had a lasting impact on their lives. Taking a two-year hiatus to go back to school is not an easy mission to commit to, but I believed that the Kelley MBA program will have just as meaningful and fulfilling of an impact on my life. I am humbled to study alongside such a hard working, nurturing, and charismatic group of diverse classmates and faculty and am grateful to learn from them each an every single day.

What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate? My goal is to begin exploring how to optimize the interior design and architecture industry through an entrepreneurial platform. Before I graduate, I would also like to continue branching out through learning more about my classmates and utilizing the many resources available to Kelley students within investment, marketing, and networking. I definitely want to make it to an IU basketball game and attend an event at the world-renowned Jacob’s School of Music!