Chang-Min Song

Kelley School of Business at Indiana University

“Musician turned marketer that loves making magical moments and memories for those around me.”

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio

Fun fact about yourself:  I never imagined I’d return to school in pursuit of a “9-5 job/career” as most of my professional career has been as a DJ, performing in nightclubs, bars, and concerts venues.

Undergraduate School and Degree: The Ohio State University – Class of 2012 (BSBA Logistics, BSBA Marketing)

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? One Hospitality – Entertainment Director

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? Kellogg’s – Chicago, Illinois

Where will you be working after graduation? Kellanova – Senior Associate Brand Manager

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School: Kelley Coin Recipient, Kelley Marketing Club Co-President, Graduate Assistant for Kelley Direct Strategy, Graduate Assistant to the Executive Director of the MBA Program,

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Receiving a Kelley Coin was something I never imagined would be a part of my MBA experience at Kelley. Arriving with a heavy case of impostor syndrome and wondering if I would even fit in at an MBA program, receiving a Kelley Coin not only erased the doubts that I had, but affirmed my sense of belonging in a community I had grown to love and that my contributions meant something to my peers and faculty.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career?  In 2018, I was asked by members of the Sigma Chi fraternity at Ohio State University to help them with their charity concert they had been operating for about a half decade. The concert was part of their Derby Days week that donated money to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, but unfortunately had operated at a loss every year. I was honored that above other more established organizations in the music industry, I was asked to lend my expertise on such an important event. In the end, I was able to help book the venue, three national touring acts, and promote and sell out the event leading to a donation of over $15,000 dollars. I am particularly proud of this event because it was the first time I felt I was able to truly give back to the community in a meaningful way using my platform. While, I cannot deny the thrill of playing in front of thousands of people, there was something truly special and something I still think about fondly as the first time I was able to take my gifts and give back.

Why did you choose this business school? In truth, as a final round applicant, I knew very little about business schools at the time I began applying.  I did, however, know that I was mostly interested in marketing and the more I researched the various options I was fortunate to have. Kelley had a universally positive reputation for marketing and for career switchers.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Brian Miller taught my core accounting class, a subject matter that most find dry at best into an engaging and fun class that I looked forward to every day. While I could easily go on and on about Brian’s ability to teach, there is something about the passion and care he has for the success of his students that is infectious. When you speak with him, you can tell he loves teaching and being able to contribute to our MBA experience. His passion is even further exemplified in the work he does as assistant faculty chair of the program and his efforts with the GLOBASE program at Kelley. I think Brian Miller telling us about the Kelley tradition of the Kelley Clap and its origins and its importance to him is the only time I have flat out openly cried during a class.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? The Consumer Marketing Academy and, in particular, the practicum portion was my favorite course at Kelley and was the most formative during my MBA. The course was structured around a real project with a CPG company, in my case Nestle. It gave me and my teammates an opportunity to experience what working in CPG is like and utilizing the tools I had developed in my other coursework. I had the opportunity to experience real work experience while having the guardrails of the course structure with my professor Jonlee Andrews, the brand managers at Nestle, and second year mentors. This gave me such great preparation leading into my summer internship.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? I wish I had participated in GLOBASE, a program that gives students the opportunity to work with businesses in countries across the world. GLOBASE was a big commitment that I was afraid to make because, at the time of sign up, I was so unsure as a career switcher with a horrific case of impostor syndrome if I would have an internship by March when GLOBASE occurs each year. I think GLOBASE would have been a tremendous opportunity to make a positive impact with clients and their respective communities, as I have seen the amazing experience my peers have had and the contributions they have made.

What is the biggest myth about your school? “Kelley is just a marketing school.” While I can definitely speak to the strength of the marketing program at Kelley, I have seen so many successful outcomes for people in other disciplines. This speaks volumes about the success of our consulting academy students, as well as students in finance and investment banking. I found Kelley is an all-around incredible program.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Bloomington in the fall is absolutely picturesque, as the beautiful red leaves glow in contrast to the backdrop of the white Indiana limestone buildings throughout campus—it just makes for inviting walks through campus as the air is a comfortable fall crisp.

What surprised you the most about business school?  While almost everything surprised me with my lack knowledge prior to enrollment, the biggest shock was the people. I came in expecting competitive, cutthroat, and aloof people and I have been blessed to have been around some of the most genuine, helpful, and kind people during my time in business school.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Andrew Lash is someone whom admire and strive to be more like every day.   Andrew quietly contributes to the MBA program with his incredible intellect, setting an example of incredible work ethic being both the co-president of Kelley Marketing Club with me and president of the soccer club. He achieves this level of excellence in the classroom while also being an incredible husband and father of two. I strive to be as excellent a professional and human as Andrew Lash.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

I cannot wait to purchase in a store something that I helped create at work.

I want to return to school one day and take what I have learned during my career and teach, hopefully at the Kelley School of Business.

What made Chang-Min Song such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Chang made his presence known from the moment he arrived at Kelley. He’s a natural born leader and community builder whose outgoing and open personality invites his classmates to get to know him. Chang immediately got to know the faculty and staff and has offered his collaboration with the program in a variety of ways. He has worked as a social media intern helping amplify our student events and successes as well as single-handedly creating an enormous photo wall in the graduate student lounge commemorating the year.

He is generous with his time and expertise, creating a workshop for incoming students in the Business and Consumer Marketing Academies to prepare them for marketing-specific case interview questions. After accepting his full-time offer at Kellanova, he advocated within the company for Kelley internship applicants with great success and will undoubtedly continue to mentor them this summer. Chang’s joy in helping others in contagious – he never hesitates to shine his light on others, making the Kelley experience a brighter place for all.”

Emily Stern
Director of Student Services and Global Programs, Full-Time MBA Program

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