Kelley Alumni and Friends

I always knew that I wanted to write news stories. I started a stapled-together newspaper in second grade. I edited my high school newspaper and anchored our college news show, IU News Forum. What I’ve learned after nearly a decade as a television news reporter is that the subjects in my stories mean more to me than having my name on the byline.

I joined the IU Kelley Indianapolis family in late March as the new Assistant Director of Communications and Media Relations. As an alum of IU Bloomington’s Ernie Pyle School of Journalism, I’m thrilled to make my transition from journalist to communications writer within the IUPUI family. My husband, Seth, is Kelley alum, so I know first-hand how valuable that name recognition is once you graduate.

People always ask me how I could leave television news. “It must be so exciting,” they say. And the world of broadcast news does have its merits: I interviewed then-presidential candidate Barack Obama, Mrs. Obama and then-Vice Presidential hopeful Joe Biden. I was granted access to fascinating factories and thrilling airplane rides, plus I met everyday people who made a difference. I loved covering news on university campuses such as Kent State, Youngstown State and Northern Michigan Universities. But I felt like something was missing. I’d spend a day on a story (sometimes a very boring one!), and then move on. It was something different every day, but it only scratched the surface of each topic. I wanted to work more in-depth on something I cared about; something on which I could have a biased opinion for once.

That’s why the communications job here at Kelley Indianapolis is perfect. It gives me a chance to meet and promote some of the most inspiring, accomplished students I’ve ever known, while also returning home to Indiana. I can continue to fulfill my love of writing stories while also using my years of reporting experience to assist the media in covering what’s happening here. There’s plenty of room at the table for schools to be publicly recognized; Kelley deserves its place at the top.

I know that a Kelley degree is valuable and noteworthy. I understand how much weight it carries on my husband’s resume and vicariously I know how it feels for a student to work hard and finally complete I-Core! Just listening to the accomplishments by Kelley students at the Scholarships and Awards Breakfast last month impressed and motivated me to help tell the stories of the young people here who achieve so much. I’m inspired by two recent stories: Kelley grad Assoumaou Mayaki, who plans to do work in microfinance development for struggling women in Niger, and Evening MBA graduate Manoj Rana, who survived a deadly house fire with 95 percent burns to his body, and went on to earn his degree. These are stories I love to tell.

There is no shortage of impressive and newsworthy students, faculty and staff here at Kelley Indianapolis. I look forward to meeting you all and telling your stories. Please contact me at spwinter@iupui.edu with anything interesting you notice at Kelley.

From Kelley Indianapolis' Kyle Hickey, Marketing, Supply Chain and International Studies - Class of 2012

Surprisingly, over the past four years I have never really thought about what the last day of my undergraduate degree would look like. However, the past few months I have had many thoughts about this coming day and what it will most likely look like. One thing I do know is there will be many emotions wrapped up on commencement day.

Putting on my cap and gown the day of commencement will be the beginning to a very special day. I picture commencement day where my family, best friends, and Kelley staff and faculty will be there to celebrate with me. I know there will be many “thank yous” passed out from my side for all the people who have helped me get to where I am now and who I know will help me in the future.

I also look forward to being with my friends and seeing them walk across the stage. These friends have been my closest for the last four years, and it makes me really happy to be graduating with them. When studying got hard, when writing didn’t come, when relaxing was needed, when laughing was a must, and when lecturing got dry – my friends were always there for me.

My family, who I know is so proud of me, also will be there to celebrate with me. It truly humbles me to think of what my parents have sacrificed and done to help me complete these four years. I know that they are really proud, and it means the world that they will be there to congratulate me. Walking across the stage will signify one very important phase of life coming to a close and the beginning of a new, exciting phase of life. Commencement day will be one of the happiest days of my life.

From Kelley Indianapolis' Kyle Hickey, Marketing, Supply Chain and International Studies - Class of 2012

This semester has come to a close as will my undergraduate experience here at Kelley. Thoughts have been racing through my mind such as: registering for classes, buying a parking permit, finding the best deal on books, and seeing which friends are going to be in my classes. However, there is not going to be another semester. I graduate in a couple of days. It is a strange, bizarre, yet exciting realization all at the same time. Reflecting over the past four years has been limited due to taking 17 credit hours, working a part-time job, working as an intern, and juggling friends. Now that it is all over, I want to reflect on some of the most memorable and valuable experiences I have had at Kelley Indianapolis.

Because IUPUI is a commuter school, some students don’t make new friends and connections. Some are satisfied with their existing high school friends. Others simply come to school to get a degree. A degree, to me, is much more than just a sheet of paper saying I have completed something–it has a much deeper and lasting importance.

I-Core was my first Kelley experience about which I was really excited and proud to be a Kelley student. Through this experience I was able to connect with my three group members in a way that is unexplainable. Each of us had a distinct personality, along with special skills, that enabled us to work together and come up with the best possible plan for the organization we worked with. These group members are like family now and I would do anything for them.

Yes, I know all of you have had group members that do not contribute their parts, but for the ones you really do connect with, hold on to and never let them go. You are going to be out in the real world very soon working with a group of people, make the most of it and hear their input and recommendations. If you listen to them, they will listen to you. I have learned so much respect for others throughout my four years at Kelley by being in so many group settings.

As college students, we see Kelley professors and staff as people we can’t relate to. We think they live completely different from us. This is how I saw them for my first year or so. However, I realized they are people who understand college students the best, and they can relate to me in so many ways. Once I was struck by this realization, I began to actually build relationships with my professors and staff by talking and listening to their advice. Now that graduation has come around, I am so thankful for the relationships and connections that have been built with so many Kelley professors and staff. They only want the best for each of you, so take time to talk and relate to them. They will be there for you after your days at Kelley are over.

From Kelley Indianapolis' Kyle Hickey, Marketing, Supply Chain and International Studies - Class of 2012

Most college students have been hounded by someone asking, “Do you have an internship?” If your answer is no, then keep looking until you find one.  You will learn countless things that are not listed in traditional job descriptions. Before college even began, I knew that I wanted to complete an internship before graduation, and I have. Here are three tips to make your internship experience valuable and productive.

At the beginning of my junior year, I started my internship search. I devoted most of my Christmas break to interviewing and developing a list of 200 working professionals with whom I could network. I also studied for my insurance license because I thought I would be working in that field. I started the second week of January with an entire week of insurance training. The training went great, and I was all pumped up to go sell some insurance. The staff was always excited, and it seemed like the environment was a great fit for me. However, after three weeks, I realized it wasn’t the right fit for me. What I am trying to communicate is you will never know until you try it. Take a chance on something, open the door to new experiences, and determine your place in the company.

Not long after my short-lived internship in insurance, I was told about a different internship opportunity. This internship turned out to be the right one for me. During my interning experience I have come to realize that flexibility is probably one of the most important things I have learned. Throughout my yearlong internship, I dabbled in marketing research, special event coordination, photography, and videography. Working with the professionals in each of these areas has allowed me to gain skills that I never thought possible if I would have solely been a photography intern. No matter where you are, you have the ability to learn new things and try things outside what you are used to.

My last tip: Do not treat your internship like a job, but like an extra class. You are there to learn from those around you and gain an understanding of what it is like to work in a professional job setting. If you develop relationships during your internship, these professionals will help you succeed in the future. They will offer career advice, résumé critique, recommendations, or connections they have. To conclude, be open, friendly, trainable, and excited about the internship you have. It could change your future forever. I know it did mine.

Commencement Celebration Week by Carly Griffin, Class of 2012

Commencement Celebration Week is upon us. For me, that means there is literally only one week left before I am a proud graduate of the Kelley School of Business. This week of celebration is a time to show seniors appreciation for all of their hard work and dedication. I personally know that the faculty and staff are equally as proud to see the graduating seniors walk across the stage at commencement to their future success. So this week is truly a time for celebration all around.

Yesterday, Kelley provided breakfast and coffee to students who were working hard to prepare for finals. Pizza will be available to those evening MBA students who come to campus after a hard day’s work.  Students will also be celebrating the end of the semester in the courtyard with Kelley’s annual “Backyard Bash”, as well as applauding achievement at the Scholarship and Awards Breakfast for outstanding students.

The overall idea of this week is centered on the idea of leaving a legacy. What are the things that you want to be remembered for during your time at Kelley? I know for a fact that I want my legacy to be making sure that students in the Kelley School get the most out of their education, especially on the Indianapolis campus. We have an entire city’s worth of resources at our fingertips, and it is vital for students to be connected in a way that they are able to tap into such valuable resources. I also want my fellow students to understand the full meaning of the Kelley brand. Other than a graduate of the school we attend who ran Steak-N-Shake, who exactly was Ed Kelley? Why was he so significant to the business world, and how did he manage to impact the business world on such a large scale? Ed Kelley not only contributed multitudes of work to the food industry, but went forward to give back to the school that gave him his foundational business education.

This is the kind of legacy that I want to leave. I want to be well respected and trusted in my community. IUPUI and the Kelley School of Business have helped me to get started.

When you give back, do you find you ultimately receive more than you give? It’s a common theme for regular volunteers. They often describe the personal impact of each volunteer experience. Kelley alumna Jaime Lira (2010 MBA) says giving back helps her to learn more about herself.

Last weekend, Jaime participated in mock interviews with Evening MBA students. In each 30 minute session, she sharpened her own interview and coaching skills but also met some outstanding MBA students with great stories. Learn more about Jaime’s experience and how volunteering for the Evening MBA program is helping her become a more effective coach.
 

As I flipped channels during halftime of the IU/Kentucky basketball game on Friday night, I was overwhelmed by a barrage of fitness infomercials. Each featured real people achieving real results in just 90 days or as little as 20 minutes a day. I’m not sure why, but I started thinking about the real people who graduate from Kelley Indianapolis and the real successes they find in central Indiana and, frankly, any place they want to be.

Jaime Lira, a 2010 alumna of the Kelley Evening MBA program, recently shared her own self-improvement journey. Hers took considerably more than 90 days (actually, 2-1/2 years) and resulted in a career change and a new attitude to “fill the bucket.” Discover why Jaime says filling the bucket is vital for real people seeking real results.   

Life is full of so many choices. Where are we having dinner? What clothes should I wear? Should I call in sick today? With every choice made, another option is tossed to the side. If I ride my bike to work, my car has to stay behind. If I wear dress shoes, my adidas won’t leave the closet. If I save for retirement, I can’t pay for my child’s college. 

Let’s hold it right there. Sometimes in life you CAN have your cake and eat it too. Most families I meet with have two primary concerns, How do I pay for college and can I retire. While there is no simple answer to those questions, I have a few tips that will point you in the right direction

1. Review your spending:

The first question I ask families is “Where are you financially?” I am surprised at how many families are unsure on their monthly expenses compared to their income. A lot of people I meet with have money that is just disappearing bit by bit through daily spending. If you develop a budget and stick to it, that disappearing money can begin to build your retirement or in a 529 plan.

2. How are you saving for retirement?

How you save for retirement is an important issue. There are many factors to consider so I have written a great article here to help you out. http://creativefinancialgrp.com/Custom.aspx?apId=16659

3. College Choice:

Choosing the right college with your student is key. A lot of our children may dream of Harvard, or Stanford, but the financial reality might not agree. There is nothing wrong with your student aiming high, encourage it, but also help them to make an informed decision. Often times attending a school like IUPUI for undergraduate studies is the best move financially, especially if you child plans to move on to graduate school after. The financial burden is much less on you and your child, and could be the difference between $50,000 in loan debt, and $300,000. It could also mean the difference between retirement and working until you’re 80. If your student is set on a school that you can’t possibly afford, let them find out how to finance it. It seems harsh, but I have found it often opens their eyes to the reality of how much money college is. Starting life with a couple hundred thousand dollars of debt is not a good plan for anyone.

4. Talk with an expert:

Take some time out to meet with a College Financial Planner, like me. Indy College Funding offers free College Financial Plans to families. It’s good to get some expert advice and a fresh look at what is, isn’t, or might be possible. You would be surprised at how much that helps.

Thanks for reading,

Kurt

Kurt Supe offers securities and advisory services through cfd Investments, Inc. and Creative Financial Designs, Inc, respectively. Member FINRA/SIPC. Indy College Funding is not affiliated with the cfd companies.

Did you ever meet someone who was just absolutely professional but had the personality of an automated system? They are essentially getting the job done, but lack that human factor that involves making a connection. I have been fortunate enough to work with people who are professional and have a lot of personality. It is important to be able to be fun and enjoy what you do. There isn’t anything wrong with being effectively efficient and being able to tell a good joke. I am surrounded by the most fascinating people. Everyone is unique in way that brings something different to the company culture. 

One of the most exciting aspects of this company’s culture is the love of College basketball. I am a big fan of basketball and I felt like I struck gold when I started working for a company that loves basketball too. We had a day where we were allowed to wear our school colors and enjoy free food. There was no doubt that my area would be representing IU all the way. I declared some of my co-workers IU just by association. They were really cool about wearing IU instead. My boss went to Purdue and as a joke I have been bringing her a small gift each day, but they all have an Indiana University logo on it. She is really sweet about the gifts and kindly re-gifts them to an IU alum. Nevertheless, it is clearly evident that having a high level of professionalism doesn’t mean you have to lack in personality.

Like many in Central Indiana and beyond, I anxiously awaited (dreaded?) the news about Peyton Manning. And like many I was disappointed by the outcome. But I am not here to join the pundits waxing poetic as why it happened, where #18 will go, or who is to blame. No, as a Management professor with a focus on Strategy and Entrepreneurship, I’d like to focus on one aspect about the news over the last 3 months that disturbed me: The distinction that this was a “business decision” and the implications of what that entails.

So what does this mean? A business decision as opposed to…what? I looked back through much of the press over the breakup announced today, and interestingly there are few direct alternatives explicitly named. A business versus a philanthropic decision? Versus a “non-pareto optimal” decision (a nod to our economist friends)? Perhaps the alternative would be a Ouija board decision?

A decision based on relationships seems to be the preferred interpretation of an alternative. This was all about the Benjamins, not the good will Peyton may have generated, his role in the community, or what this means for the team and NFL. No, this was just about $$. And that makes it a “business decision.” (You almost want to spit that out, don’t you?)

I teach strategy to practicing managers and executives in Central Indiana and in the Kelley Direct online program, which reaches savvy business folks worldwide. I have had the privilege of advising executives and boards of firms large and small, old and new. And I doubt that ANY of the experienced businesspeople I have come in contact with would tell you that “business decisions” are purely economic. In fact, most would argue that it is the people and the relationships between them that most directly affect the success of an organization, whether a new venture or ongoing concern, for-profit or not-for-profit. To aver that business decisions and relationship decisions are on opposing ends of some rationality continuum is an insult to businesspeople, as well as the readers of the articles that directly or indirectly imply such a contrast. Business is ALL about relationships.

As such, Peyton leaving Indianapolis was a relationship AND business decision. The two are inextricably linked. I am sure that the powers that be (OK, might as well say it—Mr. Irsay) recognized that this was not a decision about just dollars and one person, or even A Tale of Two Quarterbacks (Mr. Kravitz, a great title idea for a book you might publish in the future on this chapter in Colts history!).  The relationships involved extend to the team, the community, and the public perception of the NFL overall. We can only assume that someone of Mr. Irsay’s experience and savvy fully understands that we know it is about more than money. Do people pay crazy amounts of money for tickets because of the “product?” For access to the good value beer, hot dogs, and NFL gear? I think not—it is to be part of an experience that gives meaning to our lives. Anything that reduces that to a “show me the money” mentality really misses the boat. So I trust that the decision here weighed these intangibles appropriately.

Corporate America has gotten a bad rap over the last few years as being self-indulgent, greedy, and full of hubris. This is a far cry from the majority of entrepreneurs, managers, and corporate leaders I have had the opportunity to know and teach or work with over the years. So yes, this may have been a business decision, but relationships were first and foremost—and to associate “business decisions” with a lack of soul, devoid of sensitivity to the people involved, is inaccurate and unjust.

A closing note…I look forward to cheering for Peyton Manning wherever he ends up. I also suggest we not hold Andrew Luck, assuming he is the choice come draft day, to any specific expectations or blame him or the Colts organization if he does not measure up to #18. He is by all reports a promising quarterback and a fine young man—let’s let him decide how he will express that in coming years.

When people think of ice breakers, usually the thought that comes to mind is some sort of game or random topic to help make the formal atmosphere more relaxed. I started a new job a few weeks ago and like with any new job there is that moment where you make a connection with your new co-workers through some sort of ice breaker. I wish I could say that I spontaneously came up with this exciting topic that just drew everyone in, but that was not the case at all. In fact, I didn’t say anything; my IU Kelley School of Business water bottle did all the talking. The person who was training me looked over and was like “Oh, you went IU?” She got excited and told me she was IU alum as well and mentioned there were a few other recent IU alums that work with us. 

We all clicked right away thanks to my IU water bottle. There was definitely a sense of school pride amongst everyone. Who knew a simple gift of appreciation from the IU Kelley School of Business, Office of External Affairs would become my ice breaker. I was immediately at ease knowing I was surrounded by my fellow IU alumni. 

Coincidently, later that same day in the office kitchen, I ran into IU Kelley School of Business Indianapolis alum that I had several classes with before. It took me a second to realize who she was, but I just decided to introduce myself right away and when she said her name it clicked. I remember she used to twirl her hair in class all the time.  She laughed as she admitted that she was very well-known for that habit.  It was quite exciting when I kept meeting all the IU alumni working at the same company. There was an instant bond based on the fact that we all attended the same University. 

 The seemingly insignificant became very significant  The water bottle that I just happened to leave at my desk and something so trivial that I remember about somebody I went to school with sparked conversation. People often forget that most of the time networking involves just the simplest icebreakers.  Meeting new people can be nerve wrecking sometimes, but remember not to over think it and let it be organic. Sometimes it is just that simple.

Do you know that Kelley School of Business Indianapolis is sitting square in the middle of the startup revolution?

Thousands of people are getting in on the startup love by pitching ideas, sharing feedback, and connecting with others at startup events that are drawing crowds of hundreds of passionate start-uppers. 

Alexander the Great. Plato. Martin Luther King Jr. Mahatma Gandhi. Obi Wan Kenobi. Can you tell me what all these individuals have in common? A mentor.

As a young professional, I am constantly having a inner debate about what I actually want to do with my career. What am I really passionate about in business? Should I go back to the Kelley School and get a entrepreneurship MBA or a marketing degree?  How is my graduate experience going to translate into future professional opportunities? Should I wear the blue or red tie?

While I'm sure I will always have some form of these debates, its good to know that we were given two ears and one mouth. What do I mean? Its quite simple and yet complex at the same time: you were meant to listen more than speak.

Listening and mentorship go hand in hand like, "peanut butter and ladies" says Ricky Bobby. Faculty insights, professional wisdom, and past experiences of a mentor can help answer those tough questions about where you wind up in the future. Human beings are social creatures, we were not made to go through life alone. Picking an mentor that is invested in your success can make all the difference in your personal and professional life.

For me, I tend to have different mentors for different areas of my life. Dave Ramsey and more recently, Pete the Planner, generally have a stronghold on how I behave financially. Kris Gethin, trainer and nutritional expert, controls my eating and exercising habits. Ed Foreman, Jim Rohn, and Napoleon Hill have a fairly tight grip on my mental health and well-being. While this approach works for me, maybe you know someone you respect personally and professional who you feel would be a great mentor. If you don't, make it a mission to find someone. As a matter of fact, I know several Kelley School of Business professors who would serve as excellent mentors.

Alexander the Great had Aristotle. Plato had Socrates. Gandhi had Dadabhai Naoroji. Obi Wan Kenobi had Yoda. Who have you sought out to help you get to where you want to be?

-Nate 

@NCanadaWeTrust

@PetethePlanner

@KelleyIndy

So you have the FAFSA submitted, college applications in the mail, and you’ve met with Indy College Funding; now what? If you haven’t already, it is probably a good time to start talking with your child about career choices. I can hear your replies now, “it’s too soon” or “give them a couple of semesters to feel it out” but choosing a future career field has weight for todays’ decisions.

Some schools are great for engineering, but not so great for teaching.   A school like the University of Kentucky is good for everything from football to business; so deciding on the right school has a lot to do with what your plans are for after college. Although nothing has to be set in stone, it is good to start your student talking about what their interests are, and what kind of job might fit them for the long haul. Too many times I have seen students change majors, career plans, and schools at the drop of a hat; leading to huge financial burdens, slim job prospects, and angry parents.

Deciding on a major/career path now can save a lot of time and money. The right major can also save a lot of worry about finding a job after college. A recent study from Georgetown University gives some great insight on unemployment rates and wages for graduates in certain fields of study. I have written an article that dives a little deeper into the statistics here: http://indycollegefunding.org/employment-and-earnings   Check it out and let me know what you think.

Ultimately your students’ future is just that, THEIR FUTURE. Help your child get on the right track but don’t push them into what you want. Just imagine pushing your tie-hating, outdoors loving child into pursuing an MBA instead of a degree in Natural Resource Management, only to have them quit the business world in the first year and work at a National Park. That might be an extreme example, but you get the point. Encourage your student to go after what they love, but be sure you provide them with all the information and opportunities you have at your disposal.

Thanks for reading!

Kurt

Kurt Supe offers securities and advisory services through cfd Investments, Inc. and Creative Financial Designs, Inc, respectively. Member FINRA/SIPC. Indy College Funding is not affiliated with the cfd companies.
 

When it comes to college there are a lot of choices. Determining which school is the best choice for your student (or yourself) can be a daunting task. I wanted to give you some quick tips on choosing a college, and then if you can stand anymore, I have included a link to an article I wrote that goes a little more in-depth.

1. Find a college you can afford: It’s a wonderful thing to have a student accepted to a school like Penn State, or NYU, but can you cover the costs? One of the issues I see most is families straining financially to get their student started at a school that is out of their range of affordability, only to find out at the end of the first year that the money isn’t there to go back the next. This is a huge issue, one of the leading causes of students not returning to school is financial troubles.

2. Don’t go just for the party: IU may have been the #1 party school in the nation in the past, and if that is your student’s focus, they may be moving back in with you sooner than you like.

3. Choose a school around your student: Ultimately your child is going to be the one attending the school. Find a school that suits their needs. If they do well in small settings, look for a school that fits that description. Some students do better with larger settings and more independent work time. Make sure you are sending your child to a school environment that is setup to work for them.

Those are a few quick tips; here is a link to another article I wrote on choosing the right college.   http://indycollegefunding.org/foursteps

As always if you need help determining your best strategy to pay for college get in contact with us here at www.Indycollegefunding.org

Thanks for reading!

Kurt

1. Prioritization - Each morning, our team huddles up and explains the top three tasks we will be working on for the day. I've found this to be incredibly helpful, especially when unexpected work gets piled on. Keeping your focus on the big picture makes filling in the details much easier.
2. Exercise - Nothing helps me blow off steam like an intense workout at the gym. I know this may seem cliche or even unexpected from a business related  blog but I consider all areas of my life to be business related. The company I work for emphasizes the idea that an employee should work harder on yourself than you do on your job. I would agree wholeheartedly that we become better employees as we become better people. My work team shares insight on diet, nutrition, and makes sure each team member does not have any photos displaying our physique. Feeling the strain at work? Hit the gym.
3. "The Little Things" - One of the favorite movies among my co-workers is Zombieland, which reminds us about, "Rule 32: Enjoy the little things." One of these "little things" that our work team uses to relax is basketball. Several of us have mini-basketball hoops from Dave and Busters that are often used after an intense phone call, an unexpected email, or worrisome letter. I can't tell you how good it feels pull off a 360 slam dunk after a rough day at the office.

• Cardiovascular and Respiratory endurance
• Stamina
• Strength
• Flexibility
• Power
• Speed
• Coordination
• Agility
• Balance
• Accuracy

Bottomline, Crossfit is a hard-charging, get your body in peak shape kind of workout. I don't know about you, but I am sure my body could stand some improvement. Of course, the key to being successful to these kinds of hard workouts is having a coach who teaches you proper technique and helps keep you from doing too much, too fast. As experienced Crossfitters and certified coaches, Peter and Jared are prepared to do just that.

For my part, it's great to see our grads taking charge of their destinies and committing themselves to something they feel passionate about. So, check out Crossfit Naptown and say "hi" to a couple of our Kelley grads. http://www.crossfitnaptown.com/

Oh yeah, here's Peter showing off what Crossfit has done for him!

Watch Peter with fellow Kelley alumnus and business partner Jared Byczko discuss running their own business.

The other night I walked into my kitchen and hadn’t turned on the lights yet. I ended up tripping on some toys my kids left on the floor and it reminded me of setting goals in my life. You might be asking what tripping on my way to the fridge has to do with goals (and I’m about to explain).

Walking through life without goals is like walking with the lights off. You may have an idea of where you’re going, but you can’t really see how to get there. When you set your focus on where you want to go, it is like the lights coming on. Setting goals helps you navigate around the obstacles standing in the way of you and your future.

When I was a kid, I loved to play football. Like most aspiring football stars, I had a dream to play in the NFL (we will call that a long-term goal). To reach that ultimate dream, I had to start by setting and filling some short-term goals. I made all my practices on time; I spent extra time in the gym so I could be in the best possible shape. I also set a goal to study hard so I could get into a good college to maximize my exposure to NFL scouts. By the time I graduated high school I had met or exceeded all of those goals and I ended up being accepted to the University of Kentucky with a scholarship to play football.

As my college years passed, I realized my dream of playing in the NFL might not be a goal I could realize. Circumstance and chance happen to us all, but whenever one dream fades another one is usually right behind it. I graduated from UK and went on to become a successful financial advisor, but behind all of that was a dream to help others. In 2005 I set a goal to make a not-for-profit company to help people find their best strategy to pay for college by 2006 that goal was fulfilled with the creation of Indy College Funding. But the buck didn’t stop there. To best serve people, I had to have the most knowledge, so I set out to become a Certified College Planning Specialist (CCPS) and achieved that in 2007. I became a CPA in 2011 and Lord willing I’ll complete my Master’s Degree in Accounting at the Kelly School of Business in 2012.

This is a long way of telling you the importance of setting goals. Every goal I achieve has another one tied to the tail end. In life I have found you never really arrive, you just keep moving ahead. This statement is true for college planning as well. Begin by setting some goals early. What does you student want to do for a career? What schools are best suited to the degree your student wants? How are you going to pay for it? Answering these questions will give you a good idea of what direction to go. Some students want a small liberal arts college, some want Harvard, and some are still up in the air, but if you begin today with tomorrow’s end in mind your chances of success will greatly increase.

Here are some quick pointers for setting goals in all areas of life:

· Take some time to find out what you want to accomplish

· Set a timeline for reaching that ultimate goal

· Set some smaller goals in the middle so you can see your progression

· Review your goals often (this helps keep you focused)

· Don’t get discouraged and stay flexible (Sometimes our desires change and so should our goals)

· Read about people who set/accomplished their goals (Inspiration)

Thanks for reading,

Kurt

www.indycollegefunding.org

although not affiliated with Indy College Funding, Kurt Supe offers securities and advisory services through cfd Investments, Inc. and Creative Financial Designs, Inc, respectively. Member FINRA/SIPC