Osman Bah 

Simon Business School at the University of Rochester

“Charismatic, driven and easy-going with a passion for giving back to society and making an impact.”

Hometown: Freetown, Sierra Leone

Fun Fact About Yourself: My laugh is unique and contagious. Many friends and strangers have told me it makes them feel happy and invite them to laugh with me.

Undergraduate School and Major: Colby College, Economics & Mathematics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Edge by Ascential, Research Analyst, eCommerce Insights

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment in my career was winning best advisory project of the year together with a team of four at Ascential’s (parent company of Edge by Ascential) 2019 annual award ceremony. At the time, this was the biggest project that my office had ever worked on and we exceeded the client’s goals and expectations.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? I find my classmates to be very collaborative and talented. The class is made of a diverse group of people from all works of life and I’m excited to get to learn with and know every one of them.

Rochester Simon is known for being “unabashedly analytical.” Why does the program’s focus on quantitative analysis and decision-making appeal to you? How do you intend to leverage this approach as a student and professional? With an undergraduate degree in Mathematics, I’ve always believed in the power of using data and quantitative analysis in decision-making, so Simon was a natural fit for me. I came to Simon to further deepen this skillset and better discover insights from the data, especially as it applies to solving complicated business problems. Marrying this analytical approach with a solid understanding of how different businesses function will help me stand out professionally.

Aside from your classmates, 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? The admission staff and alumni were both key factors in my decision to attend to Simon. Throughout the process, I felt a sense of support and candidness with them that I didn’t always get at some of the other places I visited.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? Consulting Club, Data Analytics Club, Vision Consulting, Venture Capital Fund, and Soccer Club.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? How would make a difference to the Simon community?

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of how various businesses function, meet other go-getters, enhance my analytical capabilities, and become a great business leader.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? UVA Darden, Tuck Business School and the Scheller College of Business

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I primarily focused on culture, academic offering and alumni connection to determine fit for the various schools where I applied. I kept a journal of my interaction with admission, alumni, and prospective students and then determined where I could see myself making the most contribution. Academically, I focused on schools that were known for their quantitative focus and that placed their students in the kinds of companies and roles that interested me.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My two years of high school in Singapore were the most transformative years of my life. Being thousands of miles away from home in a completely different country at such a young age was both challenging and rewarding. I learned to be independent and resourceful. I grew intellectually and culturally because my lens of the world was constantly challenged from my classmates that represented over 80 different nationalities.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? In 10 years, I see myself in a senior leadership position at one of the top four technology companies, helping redefine their corporate and business strategy.