Shaping her own success
Kayli Kalish on leadership, internships, and making the most of CMU
When Kayli Kalish came to Central Michigan University from Naperville, Ill., she was looking for more than a college, she wanted a place to grow. “I chose CMU partly because of the in-state tuition for out-of-state students,” she said. “It wasn’t too far from home, and I loved the D1 sports and being able to have a car on campus as a freshman.”
Kalish started as a management major and later added sales and marketing minors after joining Pi Sigma Epsilon, a student business fraternity. Competition and involvement helped guide her career path. “My parents are in business, and PSE pushed me to grow,” she said. “That’s when I realized sales and marketing were right for me.”.
Experience that makes a difference
Kalish completed internships every year of college and said they played a big role in shaping her goals. “Each internship helped me figure out what I liked and didn’t like about different companies,” she said.
She also gained hands-on experience through CMU’s group projects, including the CORE project — a semester-long collaboration across multiple classes. “Group work taught me how to work with people from different backgrounds. It helped me grow as a communicator and teammate.”
Leading through involvement
From her first semester, Kalish jumped into leadership. She served two years as president of PSE, mentored students in the College of Business, and helped new students through the Fired Up Task Force.
“I kept saying yes to opportunities,” she said. “That’s what opened doors.” CMU also offered the support she needed. “Any time I needed help, someone was there. Whether it was resumé help or a mock pitch, I always felt supported.”
Looking forward
Kalish has long dreamed of building a career in sales and one day moving to Charlotte, North Carolina. That vision still drives her, but after completing a successful internship with Detroit Labs during her final semester, she’s starting a new chapter a little closer to home.
“I’m excited to continue learning and growing in my new role,” she said. “CMU gave me the confidence to define what I want and go after it.”
She also dreams of one day owning her own bakery. When she reflects on her college experience, it’s the people she’ll remember most. “I made real connections here,” she said. “Everyone I met was supportive and passionate. That energy made CMU feel like home.”
