Meet the Babson Olin MBA Class of 2018

Simon Kohnstamm 

Babson College, F.W. Olin School of Business

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Curious about everything, shy about nothing. Optimistic to a fault, critically conscious.

Hometown: Saint Paul, Minnesota

Fun Fact About Yourself:  I was kicked out of high school for hacking into their network. They invited me to come back the next year to help improve their computer systems.

Undergraduate School and Major:  Allegheny College, Major in Physics

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: Head of Technology for Mecco

Describe you biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Being elected by my previous employer to lead a massive overhaul of our flagship product at 23 and delivering a massively successful product ahead of schedule and under budget.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants? Focus on finding the school that fits who you are and where you want your career to go. I know people say this all the time, but don’t stress out too much about the GMAT. It is a small slice of the application. Make sure you understand who you are, why you want to get your MBA, and be able to sell your story to the schools to which you are applying. Remember, schools are trying to find out whether they want you to be a future alumnus.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA?  I chose to attend Babson because I knew they would provide me with the knowledge, the training and the skills to start a company that would change the world for the better. One of the school’s main focuses is on Social, Environmental and Economic Sustainability and Responsibility (SEERS). They really hammer home that no matter what kind of business you create or join, it must leave the world a better and more prosperous place for everyone. Their school is well regarded for entrepreneurial studies and their alumni pool is amazing and fully faceted.

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life?  I will be very happy if, for the rest of my career, I build businesses which create value ethically, which put people first, and which make a difference.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program?  I have so much respect for all of my classmates, I’m consistently blown away by how interesting and talented they are. I want my classmates to remember me as someone who rooted for everyone and helped us all bring our A game.