Meet Indiana Kelley’s MBA Class Of 2021

Conchita Linares

Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business

“Energetic and active team player who loves looking for the next challenge.”

Hometown: Cicero, Illinois

Fun Fact About Yourself: As an avid runner, I have combined my love of running with my interest in travel, completing 11 half marathons in five states and training for my first full marathon this fall.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Bachelors in Business Administration

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Rolls-Royce – Program Integration Lead

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Working for an aerospace company as a non-engineer presented an amazing opportunity for growth. In my most recent role, I had the opportunity to support the F-35 LiftSystem®. I worked with the local depot repair facility to improve cost estimating and lead time reporting to achieve cost savings. My efforts directly impacted the production of one of the most advanced aircraft in history while supporting the warfighter.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why?  Engaging, friendly, and motivated. Everyone is eager to get to know each other and enthusiastic about improving themselves as they pursue their career goals.

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? It was the engagement from the staff and faculty and how that engagement impacts the Kelley experience. I was able to see their enthusiasm in every interaction and through the time they spent with me as a prospective student. It was clear the dedication to students would continue as I started classes, including through Me Inc. and the career academies. Both of these programs go beyond the traditional learning environment to challenge students personally and professionally while allowing each student to get the most out of their future careers.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? Association of Women MBAs, Food Club, and Marketing Club. I have not heard of a pet club yet, so if we do not have one already, we should get one started.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? “What is the question you expected, but we didn’t ask?” I was not expecting that one. It was a great opportunity to highlight a strong example I had not used, but it also created a sense of pressure since it was so open-ended.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I found my interest in consumer-packaged goods early in my career. I started as an operations manager and gained a “boots on the ground” experience in manufacturing. I loved having the connection to the end-user and seeing my products on supermarket shelves. A career switch moved me away from consumers but presented the opportunity to move into program management. Through managing program decisions and working with key stakeholders, I enjoyed seeing the impact I have on the program as a whole. However, while working in aerospace, I found myself missing that connection to the end-user and experiencing the relationship created between the product and the person in consumer-packaged goods. This realization led me to pursue an MBA. I plan to join my interest in the tactical and strategic aspects of brand management with my enthusiasm for consumer goods.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Mendoza, McDonough, Goizueta, and Johnson

How did you determine your fit at various schools? As most students do, I started by looking at school rankings (U.S. News & World Report). As I started to get further in the search process, I wanted to make sure I found a good fit and a school that was going to help me with my specific career goals. I knew I wanted to move into marketing and was specifically looking at consumer packaged goods companies. On a personal level, I needed to think about my husband and how we would manage my transition into business school and beyond. Clear priorities allowed me to assess my fit at each school. Campus visits helped me the most in getting insight into the school, faculty, and students. I also used local MBA expos and hometown coffee chats to meet students and ask questions.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My defining moment was my first out-of-state move. I grew up with a very close-knit family and never imagined moving far from home. The move forced me out of my comfort zone and opened up possibilities of which I have never dreamed. After having this experience, I now continue to stretch myself and push beyond what I think are my limits. The experience also reinforced my original values and has allowed me to make life choices with more confidence.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? I plan to be in a marketing director position in a large consumer packaged goods company, working with a dynamic and creative team focused on improving the consumer experience.

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