Discovering Career Paths with Annabella Sergio ‘26

“This past spring, I was accepted into a competitive business program called MEET Kelley at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University,” said Annabella.  “It was a weeklong overnight program where we were taught by 11 professors from different aspects of business. These classes ultimately led to a case competition where we were placed into different groups of four or five students to see who could come up with the best pitch. Each group worked long hours during the day and into the night to see who created the best business model for a new food truck on the IU campus. The catch was that we only had two and a half days to create the pitch. On the last day of the program, we pitched our ideas to a panel of corporate professionals and business school professors.”

Annabella was interested in the MEET Kelley program because she thought business was the college major she desired. She explained, “I applied to MEET Kelley because at the time I thought that I may want to go into business as a career, but it helped me realize that I don’t want business as my first choice major.”

Her sister, Fiorella ’24, attends Purdue University, so Annabella was familiar with the school. “The ‘Intro to Academic Programs’ at Purdue University is a chance to hear from the various schools and learn about different majors for those who are undecided,” she said. “It was a great way to explore my interests and finalize what I may want to do for a career. With both studies and fun activities included, I made so many new friends who I still talk to today.”

She described both experiences as beneficial to shaping her future. “They both helped me see what kind of career I want to pursue and what steps I need to take to get there,” she explained. “It was not easy, but it was important to me to participate in these programs for the benefit of my future. I also learned that I can do great things when I put my mind to it.”

While there were challenges across the programs with intense schedules and being in a new environment, Annabella credits St. Cecilia for fostering in her a good work ethic and leadership skills. “I think SCA prepared me by teaching me how to balance all my work properly and healthily,” she explained. “SCA has also taught me how to be a leader while equally being part of the team. I was able to share my ideas, but I did not have the urge to take over the whole group.”

 

For those interested in these programs and others like them, she suggests doing your research in the fall of your junior year and applying to those that you think are a good fit for your goals and interests.

“I would tell them to be prepared for a long but rewarding week,” she said. “It is a rigorous schedule for both weeks, but if you have the drive and motivation to explore your future and ultimately your career, then go for it. Even if it is not at IU or Purdue, find somewhere where you feel you can achieve your goals and learn more about yourself.”

Thank you, Annabella Sergio, for sharing your summer story with us!