UCS: Could you provide a brief overview of your career journey after graduating from the Kelley School of Business? What positions or roles have you held?
Kelsey: I have worked for P&G since graduating from Kelley and came to the company through a successful internship before my senior year. I have been in sales my whole career, moving from Minneapolis to Chicago and now back to Cincinnati (corporate HQ). I have called on a plethora of customers across several categories but have mostly worked in our Beauty business. I have spent the last 6 years in internal sales roles working on bringing our strategies to customers.
UCS: What inspired you to pursue a career in your current industry? Was there a specific experience or moment that sparked your interest?
Kelsey: Since I was little, I have LOVED shopping 🙂 The consumer packaged goods industry is so personal and everyone has brands that they use every day and love. I especially love working in our Beauty business because it’s dynamic and involved – consumers care deeply about what they put on their bodies and our products are so tied to little, everyday rituals.
UCS: How did your education at Kelley prepare you for your role?
Kelsey: My Kelley education prepared me in so many ways, but 2-3 really stand out. For the rest of your life, you will work in & on teams – it is so important to be able to collaborate with others to get to a desired outcome. At P&G specifically, we believe deeply that the outcome from a diverse group will be better & stronger with the incorporation of different viewpoints than it would be if it were homogeneous. The second is public speaking, and Kelley prepares you well for that – whether or not you choose a career in sales, you are always selling, and your ability to communicate clearly is so important. Finally, EXCEL SKILLS! Regardless of the career you choose, your ability to work in Excel efficiently will be paramount – so don’t skimp on those classes! I would also encourage you to think about learning for life & career applications vs. learning to get a good grade – these are life skills!
UCS: What specific skills or knowledge from your Kelley education have been most valuable in your career?
Kelsey: Kelley taught me to be a multi-functional leader – even if you don’t major in finance or accounting, you will still need to be ‘operational’ in those areas to be a well-rounded professional. Stretch yourself through iCore and other opportunities to ensure your skillset is well-rounded.
UCS: What advice would you give to current Kelley students who are considering a career in your industry?
Kelsey: If you are interested in sales or CPG, I would encourage you to find mentors in those fields to learn more about what they do. There is nothing as valuable as seeing how the work comes to life day in & day out. Don’t wait until you are interviewing for internships or full-time opportunities to learn more about what entry-level positions in those fields look like. Kelley does a GREAT job with career services & can help!
UCS: How do you maintain a work-life balance in a demanding industry? Any strategies or tips you would like to share?
Kelsey: P&G is big on prioritizing your time/energy/effort against the few things that will drive the biggest impact on the business – which has been very enabling. You will always find that there is more work to do, but if you’re able to focus on the biggest & most impactful things to focus on first, you will unlock more capacity and energy for the rest of your life.
