Tyler Patrick Ray

Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business

“An outgoing, optimistic and curious Californian with a passion for retail and love of travel.”

Hometown: San Diego, California

Fun Fact About Yourself: Since 2015, I’ve visited a new place every month. It could be an hour away or halfway around the world — it just must be new. I’ve made this one of my personal goals and still follow it today. Bonus fun fact: I met my fiancé on one of my trips!

Undergraduate School and Major: San Francisco State University, Bachelor of Science in Apparel Design and Merchandising

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Gap Japan, Senior Merchandise Planner

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My experience of having worked through almost all points of the retail lifecycle: from developing the concept to putting it in your shopping bag and everything in between. For me, nothing beats the feeling of seeing people wear products that you created or helped bring to life. I’m most proud of one of these accomplishments from my time overseeing the Japan menswear market: I helped bring to life an exclusive t-shirt program that has since been expanded globally and got to see people walking around in my neighborhood wearing the design!

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? My classmates have been genuinely friendly, driven, and (most of all) excited for new experiences and all the memories we’ll make at Kelley.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Kelley’s thoughtful structure to the MBA program and career management are what made it my top choice. Specifically, for my goal of pivoting from the retail industry into consulting, Kelley’s Consulting Academy paired with their award-winning Graduate Career Services truly set them apart. The faculty has already been so supportive and proactive, making it clear that they are passionate about our success.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I’m really looking forward to Kelley’s GLOBASE trip and the opportunity to consult for a foreign business and travel abroad with my classmates. I’m also excited to help bring Kelley’s LGBTQ+ community and prospective MBAs together through my new role as a Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) fellow.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? I think one of the most challenging questions was along the lines of, “Picture yourself at graduation: what have you done over the last two years?” I found it challenging because, as the saying goes, “you don’t know what you don’t know.” I want to use the next two years to push myself out of my comfort zone, try new things and take advantage of unexpected opportunities. I was able to show creativity in my response and come up with what I envisioned it to be like, but I know the reality is going to be life-changing and even better than I could imagine.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career?  I took the better half of a year to do some exploring and thoughtful planning of what the next move in my career would be. I found that I wanted to make a pivot in my career to strategy consulting, expand my network, discover new interests, and increase my professional management skills in order to accelerate my growth and become a business leader. Pursuing an MBA became a clear path to achieving my goals.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? University of Texas at Austin – McCombs

How did you determine your fit at various schools? In true Californian fashion: The Vibe. Throughout the process of exploring MBA programs, cultural fit was one of the most important criteria for me. I knew it was crucial for me to find a collaborative environment with a diverse, authentic cohort that I could see myself working with, in the classroom or on a project team. Attending the Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) conference in October as a Pre-MBA was an amazing way to meet students from over 30 top-tier programs. Kelley really stood out to me as having everything I was looking for, which was cemented by the great connections I made with students, many of whom have already become close friends.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are?  My defining moment was “coming out” when I was 15. Looking back, I don’t think I realized what an impact it would have to start living as my true self at such a young and pivotal age. I was expecting a negative response from my family, friends, and community. To my relief and surprise, the outpouring of support could not have been more positive. Once I came out, I found a new pride and confidence in myself that I have carried with me through every aspect of my life.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?  Professionally, my goal is to become a partner in a retail/customer strategy practice at a world-class consulting firm and to be renowned for my impact and abilities. I will continue to be curious and want to learn as much as possible from others. Personally, I see myself spending as much time as I can with my wonderful nieces and nephews and exploring the world with my soon-to-be husband!