Titans Hiring Titans: Searles '95 Finds Alumni Ready for Multifaceted Careers

Oct. 4, 2022

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Scott Searles '95 can attest to the benefits of the broad scope of knowledge and healthy challenges offered to students at Illinois Wesleyan University, both in his own experience at IWU and through the Titans hired to work with him at Kimberly-Clark Corporation. 

Searles is a senior team leader at Kimberly-Clark, a global company known for its familiar brands like Huggies®, Kleenex® and Kotex®. Since joining the company more than two

decades ago, Searles has made an effort to recruit and hire Illinois Wesleyan graduates for internships and full-time positions, with several Titans joining the business. 

He said the liberal arts curriculum at IWU prepares students to engage across all disciplines needed to be successful in their careers.

“If they are a financial analyst, they need to be able to work across different departments and with different levels of the organization. Wesleyan prepares students in that aspect more than some larger programs that might focus more on depth in one curriculum like finance,” he said.  

After studying business administration at Illinois Wesleyan and entering the corporate world, Searles said he felt prepared to stretch newly developed professional muscles and step out of his comfort zone. Searles regularly returns to speak with business students at Illinois Wesleyan, sharing perspective on working for a large company, how to stay engaged and excited in a career and job interview tips. 

His best advice for students preparing to enter the job force is to “consider your top three to five achievements over the course of your academic career and be ready to discuss how each was special and impactful to others.” 

“I appreciate how our partnership with the Hart Career Center helps us to see the best qualities of each student and match us with candidates who have enjoyed lasting careers with our company," said Searles.

By Julia Perez