Gavin Wight knows that with challenge comes great reward. A California native, Gavin adventured to the Midwest—joining the No. 4-ranked Indiana University 
men’s swimming and diving team as an undergraduate. After earning a degree in marketing and business analytics at Kelley, and with one year remaining to compete, he’s pursuing the MS in Management to gain skills in business strategy and managing people. Whether swimming at the Counsilman-Billinglsey Aquatic Center or studying in Godfrey Center, Gavin is ultra-focused on achieving his personal best, especially when he’s out of his comfort zone.
Gain soft skills for managing people
“The MS in Management appealed to me with options to focus on business strategy, customize with courses in marketing, and connect with students in other MS degree programs and full-time MBA students in electives, all while swimming a final year at IU. During my undergraduate degree at Kelley, I focused mostly on the process of business. The MSM degree is people focused. Learning a practical, people-focused approach to business will be impactful for my career. I hope to become a leader of an organization in the outdoor industry, perhaps a ski company in California. That’s when having an MSM will kick in, so that I can offer solid business strategy and support others to feel good about their work.”
Know your strengths, add new ones
“It was eye opening to explore six domains of leadership during the MSM Management Launch. I’m working on inspirational leadership—specifically, speaking in front of people and being persuasive in my delivery. My strength is in the quantitative realm of business. Stepping into a room of unfamiliar students and trying to get them on the same page is uncomfortable for me. Working on inspirational leadership is getting me out of my comfort zone and beyond academic rigor.”
Choose a subspecialty in strategy, leadership and human resources, or entrepreneurship
“I just finished a strategy course with Professor Doug Eibling where we looked at insightful and interesting business cases. An Indian car company had a great product but failed to make it successful due to supply chain issues. Nintendo became an industry follower rather than create new markets. By shifting their strategy, they achieved new success. This type of business strategy is where I want to be operating, and I plan to make strategy my subspecialty in the MSM Program.”
Strive for your personal best
“Consistency is key for me, both in the pool and in the classroom. There are days when I don’t want to get out of bed at 5:30 a.m. to swim—the motivation isn’t always there. But the ability to stick to a routine and get myself in the right headspace to do my best is something I’ve learned to practice. Whether I’m at the pool or at Kelley, I try to focus rather than multitask—to be there both physically and mentally, one thing at a time.”
Stay connected to the Kelley network
“Last Thanksgiving I was hiking a mountain in the Bay Area when I passed two IU alumni wearing IU hoodies. We shared our excitement for IU. The sheer numbers of IU and Kelley alumni, the way alumni stay connected with each other, and the passion we have for IU and the Kelley School makes it an amazing community.”
The Kelley MS in Management is a 12-month, in-residence program open to all undergraduate majors who want to gain a competitive career advantage. Want to learn if the MSM is the right fit for your career goals? Fill out our interest form to receive more information about the application process, career opportunities in management, and upcoming events.
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