ºÚÁÏÉçÇø

James Loy 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast by the hosts and guests may or may not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of ºÚÁÏÉçÇø.

Student 

I'm a senior, I'm about to graduate, and I've done a lot of cool things in college.

Student 

I never thought that I was going to be an intramural curler. I never thought that I was going to be the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø body president.

Student 

These four years have been the biggest amount of growth I've seen in my entire life. It's not just about the academics, but like, what kind of person you turn into, which is super cool.

Kaylin Knapp 

I remember the first time I asked a girl, like, hey, like, do you want to share numbers? Like, we're in this class together? What's your major, you know?

Maggie 

Yeah.

Kaylin Knapp 

It's just like, she didn't know anybody else in the class either. So...

Maggie 

Yeah. I can't tell you how many people, like, I was like, Do you want to, like, exchange numbers.

Kaylin Knapp 

Yeah.

Maggie 

Like, work on the lab you know? Like, I'm making a group chat. Group Chat for, like, the lab report, like, like, it's just trying to make friends, you know, like, first day of college. It's a universal experience for college ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs everywhere. That's what this podcast is all about, sharing college experiences from real college ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs. This is major insight. I'm Maggie Snee, and who are you?

Kaylin Knapp 

I am Kaylin Knapp. I'm a junior. My major is supply chain and operations management. I do a lot with the school, but I'm passionate about things outside of school. I like to ski, I play tennis. Um I like hanging out with my friends.

Maggie 

The perfect elevator pitch. So do you kind of want to get into how you found yourself in your current major? Was it what you intended on when you started college?

Kaylin Knapp 

Yeah, so I came into college as a marketing major. I was under the impression that, you know, when I have to get a major, I knew I wanted to do business marketing. Hey, it's gonna be easy, which, looking back, I've taken some marketing classes. It's not easier than any of the others, but I didn't really know what I wanted to do with it. I wasn't too passionate about, like, a specific job or anything. So freshman year, I got all my core classes done, and then I started doing some research, and I kind of found something I was really interested in. I changed my major to supply chain, and since then, I've been growing my passion for it more and more every day.

Maggie 

I love that. So what kind of research did you get into that really kind of sparked that interest for you?

Maggie 

Like, self-research. Like I would, I remember the moment that I kind of like wheels were turning, though I was thinking back we had this guy come into my high school, and he worked at P&G. It was like career day. He was talking about, like, how he buys, like, toilet paper for the company and, like, supplies. And I'm like, okay, so every company has to have somebody buy stuff for them. I like to shop. So what could I do with this? And you know, supply chain is all about following the product or service.

Maggie 

Yeah.

Kaylin Knapp 

to the people. So I'm like, everybody needs one. And I think that was a big moment for me, like, Okay, this is kind of actually what I want to do.

Maggie 

I really love how you mentioned, you know, I kind of just found it out on my own. You know, it wasn't someone coming up to me and going, do you know about this major, or do you know about this area of study? It was kind of just discovering it for yourself based off of what you already knew you liked. I think that's really important to just kind of, there's something you're passionate about and you want to pursue it in college. Pursue it. Are you a member of any ºÚÁÏÉçÇø groups or campus organizations here at Miami?

Kaylin Knapp 

I'm a member of our supply chain management association. Last year, I was on the executive board as the WISE director. That's no longer a position, because WISE is going to be its own ºÚÁÏÉçÇø organization. They're going through that process right now, and I'm so excited for it to all be finalized.

Maggie 

What is WISE?

Kaylin Knapp 

WISE is women impacting supply chain excellence. So it's like a woman subgroup of the supply chain majors and minors at Miami. So it's just kind of a group to grow the connections between each other. We introduce people to industry leaders. And you know, I did some integrating stuff with faculty and the staff, with the ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs. So finding the people that are share the same passions that you do. They're all business majors. And you know, I'm getting close with these people. I like surrounding myself with women that are wanting to achieve the same things that I do.

Maggie 

Absolutely. What's been, like a standout experience for you, like being in that org.

Kaylin Knapp 

Oh my gosh. I went on a few trips. So I've been to Arkansas. That was the first one, the big wise symposium. That one was, I'm gonna have to choose it. I think that I've had more fun at other ones, which, you know, those were great too. But this one, it was just like such the initial motivator. I was surrounded by different colleges, women also pursuing a degree in supply chain. And like we all are in the same boat. We have the same concerns in life. And it was just this huge event. We all got together. And listened to a bunch of speakers. We networked with each other, and it was really cool, like, seeing how they do things at their school compared to what we do at ours. And that was like the first push that I was like, okay, WISE needs to be, like, a big thing at Miami. Like, I want this to be concrete, and I've actually been able to stay in contact with those girls. I've seen on social media, like somebody will get a scholarship or something. I'm like, oh my gosh, that's awesome.

Maggie 

I love being in college. I think sharing success is so important because it's something that helps to uplift you, you know, make you feel good about your accomplishments. Then I also think just seeing other people succeed, it really puts you in, like, a positive frame of mind, and it often pushes me.

Kaylin Knapp 

Yeah, it like melts my heart if I like, post something and people like heart it, and they're like, good job. And, you know, I met you once a while ago, but that's so sweet of you. Take care.

Maggie 

No, seriously, it's fantastic. I love it. Yeah, I love my friends. I love love, I love life at college.

Maggie 

Do you kind of have an idea of where you want to go after college, what your plans are?

Kaylin Knapp 

I came into the major like, being so set. I be a purchasing manager, like, I want to buy stuff for a company, and I'm so open minded right now.

Maggie 

Yeah.

Kaylin Knapp 

I've, like, now that I'm in my higher level classes, I've been having speakers come into classes. I had a consultant come in last week. I would never think I'd want to do that. Like, consulting job. Like, what the heck that sounds boring, and I'm sitting there, like, yeah, I'm gonna add this to the list. I'm gonna, I'm gonna do an internship for this so, like, I really do, like, it would be nice to be a buyer for a really nice company, but there's so many routes and options that I have with the major and now I'm learning a lot more about, like, the specific roles that each job title has. I think that it might change. You know?

Maggie 

Yeah

Kaylin Knapp 

I do think I prioritize a nice work environment as long as I am in the right spot, the right office, right co workers. I think that's what I'll know-

Maggie 

When it comes to a job, when it comes to just college in general. I think, you know, in my opinion, as someone who really values my education, like, I'm super grateful I have the chance to even be in higher education and get an advanced degree. Like, I think it's so much more about the people and the connections and the friendships and the relationships you make along the way, you know, because a job is a job, and, of course, you know, you want it to be something that you're passionate about. You want it to be something that you know makes you excited to get up and go to work every day, but at the same time, like, even if you're in your dream job, maybe you know it's, like, I've worked for this for years, and like, It's what I've always wanted to do. Like, if you're not surrounded by people who also, you know, uplift you and share in your success, and, you know, motivate you to be better and get better. It's something you're already good at, then just kind of ruins the whole experience in my opinion.

Kaylin Knapp 

I compelety agree with you.

Maggie 

There's, there's nothing worse than being in a group project where no one else cares about it.

Kaylin Knapp 

Yeah.

Maggie 

We want to compare this to a true college experience. Let's talk about being the only one in a group project who cares about doing the work.

Kaylin Knapp 

Yes, oh my gosh, that's the worst.

Maggie 

Okay, so what were some of the biggest challenges that you've had to overcome since you've been here, and how did you come out on the other side? Change from them.

Kaylin Knapp 

Just my schedule. I'm a commuter ºÚÁÏÉçÇø. I work full time.

Maggie 

Wow, okay.

Kaylin Knapp 

 My time, my time management skills are not they were not the best right now this, specifically, this semester, I've seen myself grow more than any other ones, just how much I work in the classes that I'm in, but I commute, so I had to find a balance between, you know, having friends on campus, and then, you know, staying a part of the environment here, and then going home. And then I worked all the time. So, yeah, I didn't really, I was so confused, I think, and torn between all these different things that I had to do.

Maggie 

Yeah.

Kaylin Knapp 

I was scared to work, and it's a lot to work full time, but-

Maggie 

I can imagine that must be insane. It's that schedule.

Maggie 

It helps because I enjoy where I work. I enjoy my co workers, my managers. They're so easy to talk to. They'll work with my schedule. They know I'm a college ºÚÁÏÉçÇø, and we have a great relationship. Me and my co workers too. It's nice too. Like, something, I was talking to people the other day, and they were like, do you do your homework there? Like, I bet you can't get anything done. And I was like, No. Like, I don't associate school with work, and I go to work and it's a stress reliever for me. Like, I don't have to think about school or my problems. I just get work done and shop a little bit while I'm at it.

Maggie 

Yeah, that separation is key, in my opinion. And I think, you know, it varies from person to person, but I know that, like, at least for me, I live and work on campus. I'm an RA, so I don't really have a choice but to associate work, literally, with where I live.

Kaylin Knapp 

Yeah.

Maggie 

You know, it's a balancing act. I think, like you said, you kind of have to determine, well, okay, like, if you know, my kind of sacred space also has to involve work, then where can I go where I am truly I'm not thinking about work.

Kaylin Knapp 

Yeah.

Maggie 

I'm not thinking about school. I'm just truly relaxed. You know? And honestly, for me, it's the Withrow or Shriver Starbucks. I come in, I sit down, headphones on my little Lo Fi chill playlist, and I read my papers, and what I found is happening is all, like, started, and I'm like, okay, this is for this reflection, so I need to make sure that I keep this in mind. And, like, I need to highlight these points and yada yada yada. And by the time I get to like, page seven, I'm like, wow, this is really interesting paper. Like, I almost forget that it's for a class, you know, because then I'll be talking about it to other people. I'll, like, be on the phone with my boy for something like, oh my god, you'll never guess this study I had to read. He's a music major. He does not like it's not that he's not interested, but he just does not understand it the way I do. So I'm like, throwing out all these terms, and I'm like explaining the paper. He's like, I I love that for you. And I'm like, thank you.

Kaylin Knapp 

I was really worried starting this semester because I'm taking more classes than I have extra than I typically do. Yeah, but like, now that I'm in like, these major directed classes and I'm learning exactly about what I want to it's so much easier.

Maggie 

Yes.

Kaylin Knapp 

It's so nice. I'll read these papers like I'm reading through the textbook, like I was a stats textbook. Who am? I'm reading through your stats? Like yeah, but I like, enjoy it now. And it's like, you know, I'm out of those accounting classes that I just couldn't go with.

Maggie 

Like, once you get into those classes that are focused on your major, and also everybody else in the class is just as excited about the content as you are, it's like a light bulb turned on over-

Kaylin Knapp 

Yeah, discussions, like people are talking. So nice.

Maggie 

I think I've always said I love being in a room full of people who are also just as nerdy as I am about something like the first class I took last fall semester, my mammalogy class, the Study of Mammals, if no one knows what that is. Literally the entire room, almost everybody else was a zoology major, and everybody else was just as excited on one lab period closer to the end of the semester, where the entire lab period you're just doing dissections.

Kaylin Knapp 

Oh, fun.

Maggie 

Yeah. And like, obviously, it's not for everyone, but we, you know, we found out what specimens we were gonna get and, like, what we were gonna be getting to do. And everyone was like, Oh my gosh, that's so cool. And I was like, I know, right? Like, it makes all the difference. Just, I think the energy that is made by being in a room full of people who are all excited about the same thing.

Kaylin Knapp 

Yeah, we have, like, simulations that we do. That's what I'm comparing it to. And-

Maggie 

Yeah

Kaylin Knapp 

to anybody else, it would be boring. But, like, I'm here buying stuff and selling stuff.

Kaylin Knapp 

Yeah.

Kaylin Knapp 

Like, professors playing music and you know, we're learning but so I guess I'm part of the part of that stereotype.

Kaylin Knapp 

I'm part of the problem I'm going around like not understanding why people don't find dissection cool.

Maggie 

How have you seen yourself change since you started college? What do you think has changed about you the most?

Kaylin Knapp 

I think that I've changed a lot like within the classroom. This year has been a lot better than my last years or previous years. I'll walk through the hallways, and I've gotten more involved. So I've met new people, and I've been saying hi to people, and people are talking to me. And it's like a lot nicer to have more friends in your classes, people that you know. It's nice to see me like in class as like hidden. I've definitely gotten more open. I'll answer questions, more talk to my professors. And I've realized throughout this, you know, I'm so nervous all the time. And I'll go to class like, oh my gosh, I have an exam. I'm nervous. Okay, everybody is nervous for the exam.

Maggie 

Oh my gosh.

Kaylin Knapp 

And I can't just, like, wallow in that worry about it. I just go and take the exam and you'll be fine. Everybody else is everybody else is in the same spot I had this assignment to do. And my it was at the beginning of the year, my professor, like, had a question like, what are you worried about for the semester? And everybody, everybody said, like, the same exact thing. I don't remember what it was, but my professor was like, you guys don't realize this, but you all said the exact same thing. You're all in the same boat. So I don't know. I think that on campus I'm a lot more like lively and less shy around people.

Maggie 

Yeah.

Kaylin Knapp 

I've opened up a lot more.

Maggie 

Yeah, it's not just school, it's your life, three or four years of your life, you know, it's not just about getting a degree, it's about making friends and-

Kaylin Knapp 

Yeah.

Maggie 

seeing how you grow and change. You know, like looking back on it as like, someone who's months away from graduating, I'm like, I really have grown to such a beautiful, young woman.

Kaylin Knapp 

I've accomplished things. I'm proud of stuff, and I didn't think I could, and I did.

Kaylin Knapp 

As you kind of get into it, especially you know, your junior your senior year, do not be afraid to be that person who knows their stuff. If a professor asks a question and you know the answer, answer the question.

Maggie 

Yeah.

Kaylin Knapp 

There is nothing worse than sitting in a classroom and a professor goes, Hey, what's this? You know, define this word,

Kaylin Knapp 

and your peers are happy that you answered it.

Kaylin Knapp 

Yeah. And like, no one else wanted to answer it, so you might as well answer it. Nothing is worse than sitting in a classroom and it's dead silent, and this poor professor.

Kaylin Knapp 

And everybody knows it.

Maggie 

Even if you could be wrong, answer the question.

Kaylin Knapp 

And looking back, I can't even think of a time where somebody's answered it wrong, and

Kaylin Knapp 

Yeah.

Kaylin Knapp 

nobody's thinking, what an idiot.

Maggie 

Like, you know, obviously, when it happens to you, maybe your first thought is like, oh shoot. Like, I should have known that or but when someone else has gotten a question wrong, you know what I'm thinking? Nothing. I'm just waiting for someone else to answer the question right. I'm waiting, I'm waiting for the professor to say the right answer. Like, literally, like, I'm just sitting there. I'm like, oh, dang. So what's the right answer?

Kaylin Knapp 

Like, nobody's ever gotten every question right.

Maggie 

You can't so you cannot spend all your time in college dwelling on what other people think about you or your abilities. You know not to be that person, but believe in yourself. Believe in your abilities.

Kaylin Knapp 

You got this.

Maggie 

Okay, so if you could go back in time to freshman year you, what advice would you give her?

Kaylin Knapp 

I would tell myself that things are going to be different. So worry about where you are right now. I was so stuck in the mindset like, oh my gosh, next semester, what are my classes going to be? How are my professors? What's my schedule going to look like? When I could have been not necessarily worrying in the moment, but like putting more focus into like, okay, well, let's make a connection with my professor now. Like worrying about the classes that I'm currently in. It is about my future. And you know, all of it is preparing me for my future, but I've got to get it down where I'm at before my future comes, obviously. So like, worry less about what's going to happen and just think more about in the moment. ]

Maggie 

Yeah, it's impossible to replicate the same conditions, you know, like semester to semester. Like my golden semester, like the one semester that I will forever compare the rest of college to, was the fall semester of my second year. I kept on thinking like, okay, what can I do to like, get back to that space I was in last semester. You can't get caught in the uhhh, uhhh, what do I do?

Kaylin Knapp 

Yeah, I think that's a better way to say it like not comparing the semesters with each other.

Maggie 

Yeah.

Kaylin Knapp 

I've had some semesters where I'm like, okay, I'm not doing this again. And then, like, you know, I've wanted to give up. And then I've had semesters that are like, oh my gosh, I'm on such a role. I'm gonna go so far in life.

Maggie 

It's like an EKG, a heartbeat monitor.

Kaylin Knapp 

Oh yeah.

Maggie 

Up and down, up and down constantly.

Kaylin Knapp 

That's College.

Maggie 

Oh, that is college. Kaylin, thank you so much for coming in to talk to me.

Kaylin Knapp 

Thanks for having me.

Maggie 

I've loved this conversation. I think you shared a lot of really cool things that a lot of people are probably gonna relate to. So thanks so much for coming in and talking to me.

Kaylin Knapp 

Thank you.

Maggie 

Kaylin Knapp is a supply chain and Operations Management major, which is a part of the Farmer School of Business here at ºÚÁÏÉçÇø. Thank you for listening to this episode of Major Insight. Many more episodes are always available wherever podcasts are found.