Valerie Johnson
Human Resource Management, Management and International Studies major; Indianapolis, IN
"I know when employers see I am a Kelley graduate they'll know I am well trained and well prepared for any position."
Valerie Johnson is a case study in effective time management. As a full-time Kelley student and working mother of two, Johnson understands what it means to make every hour count. She's also familiar with what it will take to set her apart in business – beginning with her education at Kelley.
"The Kelley name is well respected and recognized in the business community, explains Johnson, a triple major in human resource management, management and international studies.
Even with her busy schedule, Johnson finds time to be involved on campus. In addition to her part-time jobs at the IUPUI Office of Alumni Relations and the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, Johnson actively participates in Kelley Student Government, the business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi and the IUPUI Student Foundation. For Johnson, it's time well spent.
"Being involved on campus and at Kelley has given me the chance to network with other students with the same interests," explains Johnson, adding Kelley's schedule of classes makes it easier for students to fit in time for extracurricular activities. "I've even had the chance to work more closely with school administrators and faculty."
Johnson believes her experiences at Kelley – both inside and outside the classroom – are the perfect prelude to her future career ambitions. After starting out as an accounting and finance major, Johnson changed her focus to human resources.
"Human resources isn't just about benefits and hiring," Johnson explains. "There's such a wide variety of things you can do in the field like recruiting, employment law and diversity coordination."
Taking into consideration all HR has to offer, Johnson says her "dream job" is to one day chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She plans to pave the way for such a chance by pursuing a dual graduate degree in business and law – one of Kelley's joint degree programs.
Until then, Johnson will continue perfecting the art of time management – working and going to class during the day and spending time with her young son and daughter in the evening.
"We do our homework together," Johnson says. "It's become our little tradition."
