How Did I End Up Coaching at a Top #10 Business School?

During the spring semester of junior year, my past advisor reached out to me about a coaching position in the career services office at the Kelley School of Business. As the words slipped from her lips, I initially felt a feeling of excitement and then it transitioned into a heavy sense of doubt. 

Questions began to build up in my thoughts before I even began to start the application process.

Was I qualified to coach my peers within their career advancements?

Were my past work and experiences valuable enough to serve as a coach for a top business school?

Would my academic transcript showcasing a few failed courses eliminate my chances of receiving an interview?

I flipped open my laptop and searched for the job posting. As soon as it was found, I thoroughly read over the description and role requirements. As I scanned over the requirements, I wondered if I was the right fit for the position. 

I reflected on my past three years of college. I had become active in various organizations, including my business fraternity and Girls Inc. I led diversity and inclusion initiatives for the business school to create a more inclusive environment. I had built an abundance of connections with my professors, campus faculty, cultural centers, multiple departments and clubs and other students. I also tried a new industry every summer ranging from marketing, diversity and inclusion within human resources, to retail the upcoming summer. 

My confidence boosted up a tad. My personal and professional experiences were worth sharing with others to support their growth.

Eventually, I clicked “Submit” and the application was sent. 

A week goes by and I receive an email to schedule a future interview. Pure joy exhilarated throughout my entire body. I felt reassured that I was qualified. But now I needed my interview performance to display my capabilities. I immediately dug into my research.

Interview preparation carries multiple stages for me. I started with researching career services as an industry perspective, then zoned in on the Kelley School of Business Undergraduate Career Services Office specifically. I did a free flow session and wrote out about all of my experiences, giving more detail for those that aligned with the position. Eventually, I started practicing my answers out loud for different behavioral questions that could possibly be asked. Last but not least, I developed strong interview questions to ask my interviewer once the interview ended. 

I woke up the morning of the interview feeling energized, nervous, and excited. I turned on my interview Christian music playlist to increase my focus, calm my nerves, and boost my confidence. I cooked a light breakfast and drank a full glass of water. I then headed to my bedroom to get dressed and grabbed my clothes that were hanging on the closet door from the night before. After getting dressed, I headed to my bathroom and started applying makeup before hopping into my car to drive to campus. I opted for my minimal beauty look with a dash of eyeshadow that brought out my sandy, brown eyes. 

I walked into the bright, renovated career services office lobby. It had a major remodel over the course of the past year. I walked to the front desk and spoke with a kindhearted receptionist about my interview that was in the next 20 minutes. She guided me to take a seat and stated that my name would be called by my interviewer. Time ticked by and my heart raced. I took slow breaths and began reminding myself of my strengths and mouthed a few lines for different behavioral questions. 

“Paige.” I look up and see a tall guy with dark, brown hair scanning across the room.

I stood up with a huge smile and walked over to him with an extended hand to initiate a strong, firm handshake. He smiles back while shaking my hand. I follow alongside him to the interview room. My nerves rise but slowly begin to calm as I take a set across from him. He breaks the ice by giving an introduction of himself as a senior majoring in Finance, details on his school involvements and post-graduation plans. 

The interviewing began and the conversation flows naturally. I spoke about my past internship, my actions within my business fraternity, Mu Beta Lambda, and also what I envisioned for future Kelley  diversity and inclusion initiatives. The interview went so well I received a call the very same day extending an offer. 

I was in shock! I proved it to myself and to the Kelley School of Business Career Services Office. I immediately called my family telling them the good news I had just received. Each of them rejoiced through the phone call and sent loving words of encouragement. They were my top motivators to accomplish most goals during my college career. 

Final exams arrive, the spring semester ends, my Seattle summer rolls by, and I was back in Bloomington again for coach training as a senior. The lead coach began speaking and gave a short introduction then directed the faculty to do the same as well as the peer coaches. 

I stood up nice and tall to display my confidence to the team- actually, my new team.

“Hello everyone, my name is Paige Drane, a marketing major here at Kelley.” I saw my old advisor sitting a few seats over as a new member of the faculty. We both shared a smile. I went on and gave some background about my hometown, club involvements, and past internships.

After the final person spoke, we dove into training. First up, resumes. I scanned over the resume passed around and began making edits. One of the peer coaches sitting next to me, gave a small smile and we discussed our summer and recruiting plans for the fall semester. 

Once the training ended, I packed my backpack and took in a view of my new coworkers and work environment. A sigh of relief released from lips. I felt like I was where I belonged and appreciated.

Over the next few months, I built relationships with students of diverse majors while simultaneously tackling recruiting for myself. I guided them through recreating their resume, writing a new cover letter draft, navigating LinkedIn, preparing for an interview and deciding on what programs to apply for. I watched my peers grow as young professionals and shared any helpful information I learned during my interviewing experiences. The impact I left on their career journeys was an experience I never wanted to end. 

I was handpicked to be a peer coach solely because of my actions seen by faculty. 

You never know who’s watching and what they may see in you. I highly suggest leaving a positive impression through your attitude, efforts and words wherever you may be.