Meet Rochester Simon’s MBA Class of 2019

Yonnas Terefe        

Simon Business School, University of Rochester

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: An ambitious individual focused on self and community improvement through education.

Hometown: Gaithersburg, Maryland

Fun Fact About Yourself: I went skydiving to overcome my fear of heights.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Maryland, Economics

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: Calvert Investments, Equity Analyst

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Being part of an organization that was on the cutting edge of finance by championing the concept of ESG investing (incorporating Environmental, Social, and Governance factors into the investment selection process).

Describe your biggest accomplishment in the MBA program so far: Landing an internship in Morgan Stanley’s Investment Banking Division.

Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? Make sure to reach out to individuals and professionals in the career field you are interested in to truly understand the role and the potential professional progression available.

What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? I knew I wanted to transition into investment banking after business school, so I wanted to enroll at a school with a very strong background in finance. I also wanted to join a program with a small class size so I could easily access professors to solidify my understanding of valuations. 

What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? Forming long-lasting relationships with highly intelligent and kind individuals who will be the future global business leaders.