A Jolly Good MBA

With a business economics degree from Kingston University in London, England, and work experience at the London offices of both Bloomberg LP and Lloyds TSB, Will Makeham was quite comfortable in that fine city, known as the banking center of the world.

But when it came time to get an MBA, Makeham knew he would get the best education across the pond—in Indiana. "I chose Kelley for a number of reasons," says the Sutton, England, native. "Having narrowed my search down to four or five schools through rankings, course structure, quality of faculty, and reputation, I was convinced that it was the right place for me upon visiting Bloomington. The staff, faculty, alumni, and students were so open and helpful."

Continues Makeham, "I'll say so far the experience has been tremendous. I'm meeting lots of great people whom I'll remain in touch with, enjoying great teaching, learning practical skills, and enjoying the challenge of one of the top MBA programs in the country."

Makeham put his knowledge to practical use at Cummins Inc. in Columbus, Indiana, where he interned in the company's corporate strategy department. "My duties were similar to that of an internal consultant, working on some very interesting projects which have the potential to make a large impact on the future direction that the company will pursue," he says. "I have certainly utilized the skills learnt over my first year, in particular applying strategy models and quantitative skills to the Cummins business model." After completing his summer internship, Makeham received an offer for full-time employment with Cummins—where he's very excited to return after graduation.

Makeham raves about the Kelley MBA program, particularly his interactions with faculty and staff. "The support from faculty and staff has been extremely high, and they are always happy to make time for you outside of normal office hours," he says "I think what really distinguishes Kelley from other MBA programs that I visited is that they take a real interest in you. One thing that really impressed me was that all the faulty took the time to learn students' names even before classes started—that's over 200 names! Faculty do everything they can to create a special atmosphere, placing students in an environment that is optimal for learning while maintaining that real-world perspective."

In Brief

What do you do for fun?
"During my spare time—we do get some occasionally—-I play any kind of sport—football (soccer), tennis, golf, cricket. I enjoy watching my Chicago Bears or Arsenal, the best soccer team in the English Premier League."

What tips do you have for someone about to embark on a Kelley MBA?
"Be prepared for one of the best experiences of your life! Remember the more you put in, the more you'll get out."

What's the best thing about Bloomington?
"The slow, relaxed pace and traffic—a big difference from London!"