Jeff Meaux
District Manager, Waddell & Reed, Kelley Alumnus, B.S. in Human Resource Management and Management
"There were many opportunities along the way for me to become comfortable networking and socializing, which helped me learn how to talk with people in the business environment."
With a culinary degree in hand, Jeff Meaux was well on his way to becoming a chef – until he started having second thoughts about how he wanted to live his life. When he finally decided a lifestyle defined by late nights, weekend hours and time away from family wasn't for him, Meaux turned to the next best thing – a business degree from Kelley Indianapolis.
A far cry away from the nearest kitchen, today Meaux is a financial advisor and the district manager of the Indianapolis office of Waddell & Reed, a national personal finance firm. An internship with Merrill Lynch at the end of his junior year was Meaux's first brush with the industry, and nearly 10 years later he's never looked back.
"The skills I learned while at Kelley – in class and through my involvement with Delta Sigma Pi – clearly had an impact on what I do on a regular basis today," says Meaux. "There were many opportunities along the way for me to become comfortable networking and socializing, which helped me learn how to talk with people in the business environment."
Meaux says his approach to teamwork dates back to his Integrative Core experience at Kelley – the first time, he says, he participated in a group project to such an extent.
"Everyone had to pull their own weight because it was our entire grade for the semester," recalls Meaux, who now oversees seven associates in his office. "Working within the dynamics of the group was extremely valuable for me. Learning to deal with different personalities and work styles is something that's very relevant for me today."
A self-professed "big fan of helping people get connected," Meaux frequently lends his time and talents to Kelley's Career Placement Office (CPO), serving on career panels and assisting with speed networking exercises.
"Visiting campus again brings back a lot of memories of when I was sitting in those chairs listening to business professionals tell their stories and share advice," Meaux says. "I really enjoy being a resource for people."
