For Brian Benzing, leadership compels his every stroke. When he joined the No. 4-ranked Indiana University men’s swimming and diving team as a transfer student and NCAA All-American, he had three years of experience as a team captain and had advanced through preliminary heats at the 2024 US Olympic Team Trials. Swimming in the winning 400-medley relay team at IU’s 2024–25 season opener, Brian is representing the best of what it means to be a Hoosier. As a student in the MS in Management Program at the Kelley School of Business, he’s broadening his leadership abilities in new and exciting directions—and expanding his career possibilities. What are his biggest takeaways?
Add business expertise to any undergraduate degree
“I had an opportunity to transfer to IU as a member of the men’s swimming and diving team after earning my undergraduate degree in sports management from Towson University in Maryland. At IU, I was put in contact with Professor Joe Schroeder who talked with me about master’s degrees at Kelley, specifically the MS in Management. I knew Kelley was a prestigious school and Professor Schroeder helped me understand that the MSM would complement my undergraduate degree and set me up well for the future. The MSM’s flexibility to pick and choose courses within the management scope appealed more to me than a highly specified track. I’d like to build a career connected to swimming—potentially working with World Aquatics or an international swim company—to grow the sport.”
Learn how to be a stand-out leader
“I became a captain of my swim team as a sophomore—younger than most. As a Division 1 athlete in a high-level program, you learn a lot of leadership traits. But during the MSM Management Launch, I explored different perspectives on leadership. Where I used to expect others to respect my age, leadership position, and results in the pool, Kelley helped me understand the value of gaining my team members’ buy-in and setting team goals that consider others’ perspectives. If our goals aren’t exactly alike, I find a way to drive us in the right direction. Creating connections as a leader is a huge strength that carries over from swimming into the business realm.”
Align yourself with a welcoming graduate community
“My MSM cohort is a friend group of supportive, dedicated students from all over—from Thailand to California. One of my classmates is a member of the IU football team and we had a huge Kelley MSM and Kelley MBA tailgate to support him. We see the MSM as a stepping stone to the careers we want. The professors are passionate about their teaching and helping us succeed; they’re always there if students need help. I never used Excel before coming to Kelley. I turned to my classmates first for help, and later on, my professor—and they helped me through the academic challenge.”
Get hands-on experience for career readiness
“In the MSM Program, I’m getting experience that prepares me for the workplace. I just completed a course in consulting, and it opened my eyes to real expectations of work. My professor, Daphne Briggs-Clark, is an experienced consultant who coached us through a case in the healthcare industry. We collected data, wrote a proposal, and came up with solutions for an emergency department with overcrowding and overutilization of resources. Next, I’ll be taking a practicum course, working directly with a real sports company.”
Keep perspective when balancing priorities
“Success as a student athlete is about finding balance and time to decompress. I do my best to be proactive, stay on top of due dates, and communicate regularly with my MSM team members. If you decide to pursue the Kelley MSM, everyone will be rooting for you, and they’ll find a way to help you make it all work.”
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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