2017 Best Brightest Alejandro Mestre, Indiana University (Kelley)

2017 Best Brightest: Alejandro Mestre, Indiana University (Kelley) by: Jeff Schmitt on April 09, 2017 | 0 Comments Comments 2,157 Views April 9, 2017Alejandro MestreIndiana University, Kelley School of BusinessDescribe yourself in 15 words or less: Lifelong learner, die-hard Boston fan, tennis fanatic, world traveler, dog loverFun fact about yourself: I collect quotes that resonate with me from books, movies, lectures, and everyday interactions. My collection has culminated into a 50-page Microsoft Word document with more than 600 quotes.Hometown: Urbana, IllinoisHigh School: University of Illinois Laboratory High SchoolMajors: Accounting, International BusinessFavorite Business Courses: Business in the Flat World, Advanced Case Analysis and Effective Consulting Presentations, Ethics and the 21st Century Business LeaderExtracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College: Scholarships: William R. Fry Scholarship, Hudson Holland Scholarship, National H ispanic Scholarship, IU Distinction Scholarship, and Founders Scholarship (Dean’s List)Study Abroad: India (Summer 2014), Switzerland (Summer 2015), and PwC International Internship Experience in England (Summer 2016)Involvement: Hutton Honors College Member, Kelley School of Business Honors Program Member, Kelley Undergraduate Consulting Workshop Member, and Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity MemberActivities Leadership: Habitat for Humanity Volunteer, Kelley Tour Guide and Student Host, Kelley Direct Admit Day Speaker, IU Conduct Board Officer, Kelley Honors Program Mentor, and Association of Latino Professionals for America PresidentExternships Training Programs: Google BOLD Discovery Conference, Google BOLD Immersion Program, and Harvard Business School Summer Venture in Management ProgramWhere have you interned during your college career?Company NameLocationRolePwCChicago, ILManagement Consulting InternEYBoston, MALaunch InternNorthwestern MutualChampaign, ILFinancial Repres entative InternDescribe your dream Job: An executive position with the Boston Red Sox or the New England Patriots. Growing up in Amherst, Massachusetts, I quickly became a die-hard Boston sports fan. My dream is to apply the skills I acquire in my career to one of my beloved sports teams.Which executive or entrepreneur do you most admire? Elon Musk, the founder of PayPal, Tesla Motors and SpaceX. Musk is a true visionary who seeks bold alternatives to better mankind rather than accepting the status quo. Also, he wants to colonize Mars!What did you enjoy most about majoring in a business-related field? The opportunity to gain experiences in many different locations, disciplines, industries, and locations to make an educated decision on where to start my career. During my time at Kelley, I traveled to more than 15 cities across four countries through classes and professional opportunities; I double-majored and joined a workshop to prepare for a career in management consulting; and I b uilt connections with students and professionals in many different disciplines and locations. In my four years at Kelley, I always felt free and encouraged to explore new opportunities that interested me. And after these four years, I am beginning my career in the industry and location that make the most sense for me.What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? Working in team environments is an extremely gratifying experience, and also one that is essential in the business world. I began college preferring to work independently, but I am leaving with a deep appreciation for working, accomplishing goals, and sharing success with others. My satisfaction from working with others is complemented by the fact that the business world – and especially consulting – is all about working in teams to solve complex problems. To that end, I learned that it is incredibly important to surround myself with motivated, intellectual, and caring people.Where would you lik e to work after graduation? I will be joining Bain Company as an Associate Consultant in Chicago, Illinois.What are your long-term professional goals?Stage 1: Discover My PassionSpend my first few years at Bain learning as much as possible, exposing myself to different industries, and considering potential career paths.Go back to business school to obtain an MBA, learn about other career opportunities, and determine which career path I find most appealing and to be the best fit.Stage 2: Pursue My PassionContinue to learn, challenge myself, and help others while doing what I love.Stage 3: Give BackTeach students in academia (the family path – both my parents are college professors and my sister is a PhD student).Donate to organizations that help others (i.e. charities, university scholarship funds, etc.)What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Keep an open mind – spend time learning about different business majors and career opportunities. Also, do not be afraid to take risks and go outside of your comfort zone – undergraduate business school is an excellent time to try new things and learn from your mistakes.                                                                                                               â€Å"I knew I wanted to major in business when†¦I realized my father’s physics gene (college physics professor) was not passed down to me.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"If I didn’t major in business, I would be†¦a high school history teacher and tennis coach.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Before I entered business school, I wish I had known†¦the importance of time management and balancing a number of commitments (academics, extracurricular activities, family, religion, social life, physical activity, internship and full-time recruiting).†What was the happiest moment of your life? When Megan Ray (Kelley Dir ector of Admissions) called me to offer me the Fry Scholarship, a full scholarship to attend the Kelley School of Business.Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of?  Speaking at Kelley’s Direct Admit Day as the program’s freshman speaker. I was proud because I embraced the challenge of speaking to an audience of 2,000 and impacted hundreds of families by discussing my transition to Kelley. I left the ceremony eager to continue to impact others, challenge myself, and go outside of my comfort zone.What animal would you choose to represent your professional brand? A Bernese Mountain Dog – they are friendly, beautiful, and happy (things I strive to be every day).Who would you most want to thank for your success? My parents – hands down. I would not be where I am today without my parents’ love, hard work, and support. As a child immigrant from Cuba, my father worked extremely hard to achieve success and provide for our family. My father taught me the value of education and the importance of a strong work ethic. My mother’s unconditional love and selflessness taught me to care for others and treat others with respect. She also showed me how to balance a thriving career and a family life.What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? He was an enthusiastic person who brought out the best in people, helped others, and gave back to his school.Favorite book: The AlchemistFavorite movie: Good Will HuntingFavorite musical performer: Kanye WestFavorite vacation spot: Venice, ItalyWhat are your hobbies? Traveling, tennis, golf, and reading (especially about philosophy and WWII)What made Alejandro such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2017?â€Å"What makes Alex such an invaluable member of the class of 2017 is his drive for success coupled with his recognition that accomplishment is best when it is shared with others.I met Alex approx imately two years ago when he applied for and I selected him to be a member of Kelley’s Undergraduate Consulting Workshop, which I direct. That organization is a selective program – only 30 new members per year – for very high-performing students considering jobs in consulting. Over the past two years, I have had the pleasure of teaching Alex in three courses.   He was a strong student in each course, combining intelligence, drive, and intellectual curiosity, with the recognition that success need not come at the expense of others. He is humble, has a positive attitude, and personifies a natural disposition to work with others.Outside the classroom, Alex reflects his interest in helping others in a variety of ways. He has represented Kelley well in contexts ranging from speeches, to panel discussions, to guiding tours for prospective students and their parents, while also serving as a mentor to a range of fellow Kelley students. Another example of his giving b ack is Alex’s role in creating a summer program to help his fellow Consulting Workshop members prepare for job interviews.   Last year, Alex and a classmate came to me with a proposal to create a program to pair students with alumni for weekly practice interview sessions during the summer between their junior and senior years.   After receiving my go-ahead, they recruited both students and alumni participants and successfully ran the program this past summer.I fully expect that Alex and his co-founder will institutionalize the program so that it will benefit students for years to come after they have graduated.Alex’s drive for success reached a key point last semester when he received full-time job offers from both Bain Company and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In addition to representing a personal measure of success, those offers also set a standard for students who will follow and make Alex a role model to whom we can point proudly.†Professor Joel D. Rubin Clinical Professor of Business Law Ethics Director, Kelley Undergraduate Consulting Workshop Kelley School of Business, Indiana UniversityDONT MISS: THE FULL HONOR ROLL: THE BEST BRIGHTEST UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2017 Page 1 of 11