Oliver Chen

University of Rochester, Simon Business School

“An outgoing, curious and driven global citizen with a passion for impact and innovation.”

Hometown: Hong Kong

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am a horology enthusiast and enjoy learning how to craft mechanical watches!

Undergraduate School and Major: Trinity College, B.A. in Political Science

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Investment Analyst, HashKey Capital (FinTech focused Venture Capital Fund based out of Hong Kong).

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest and most proud accomplishment in my career so far was successfully executing my first investment transaction for my previous fund. The transaction was an investment in a growth stage company in the aerospace and defense sector that manufactured commercial rockets and facilitated satellite launches. While I loved the deal sourcing process of finding a great investment target, I will never forget this particular experience especially after evaluating over a hundred investment opportunities a year and eventually locking down on one. It was a privilege to not only help drive growth for the target company but also plays an impactful role in generating a handsome return for the fund and its investors.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? My classmates are inspiring. I admire their curiosity, drive, and commitment to making an impact on the communities they serve. It has been a privilege engaging with students representing over 19 countries who all bring a plethora experiences and perspectives that shape a truly unique student body. Seeing my classmates take on challenges in and outside the classroom with grit and determination drives me to continuously improve and bring my best every day.

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? Simon is renowned for being “unabashedly analytical” and its curriculum lives up to that standard. The program’s focus on quantitative analysis was attractive to me, especially with the pivotal role data plays in decision-making in the realm of business. Simon’s curriculum cultivates your data analysis and critical thinking skills which are essential for various industry functions especially in business strategy and optimization. I look forward to sharpening my analytical skillset with Simon and driving impact for the organizations I will serve in the future.

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 strong support and collegial atmosphere of the Simon community led me to select Simon. Every member of the community was warm and welcoming, and I could feel great camaraderie within the student body. Throughout my MBA application process, there was great support from the admissions and career development staff in providing guidance on helping me best position myself as an MBA candidate and determining fit. Even before entering school, the admissions and career development center immediately put me in touch with alumni and finance career resources to best prepare me for the Simon MBA curriculum and internship recruiting season. Additionally, the school did a fantastic job fostering an open door policy and mentorship opportunities where I could seek guidance from anyone in the community. This support and preparation gave me the confidence to tackle any challenges and seamlessly integrate into the Simon MBA program.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I look forward to joining the Simon School Venture Fund (SSVF). The SSVF is Simon’s student-led early-stage seed fund with over $2M under management. The Fund is made possible by the generous support of Simon’s alumni network which speaks volumes about their commitment to “paying it forward”. I am most excited about this opportunity because it will allow me to not only gain exposure to local businesses in the Rochester area but also partner with them to make an impact on their growth.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? The most challenging question I was asked was: “How would you handle cross-cultural challenges in a team situation?”

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? To pivot into a financial services career in the United States and round out my liberal arts background with a complementary quantitative skillset.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Boston College (Carroll), Vanderbilt (Owen)

How did you determine your fit at various schools? During my MBA search, I prioritized cultural fit, class size, alumni network, and a program with a strong quantitative and analytical curriculum. To assess fit, I spoke with several current students and staff from the admissions team to the career development center. These interactions allowed me to learn about Simon’s collaborative culture and determine how the Simon platform aligns with my career and personal development goals. Through these conversations, I also learned more about the quant-focused curriculum and how it prepared students for various careers. Overall, it was the “people factor” that was influential in my decision to attend Simon. The collaborative, supportive, and welcoming community helped me find a sense of belonging and offer a platform where I could develop my experiences and skillset.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? A defining moment for me was moving to Mainland China to work immediately after graduating from college. This was a completely new experience for me as I spent my entire life growing up in Hong Kong and the United States without spending and extended amount of time in Mainland China. In addition to building my financial skills and brushing up on business Mandarin, I had to quickly adapt to a new culture and environment. While the transition was challenging, it taught me resilience and to approach new experiences with an open perspective. Over time, I went from only being able to speaking conversational Mandarin to being able to successfully pitch investment ideas and close transactions. Along the way, I cultivated life-long friendships and developed an intimate understanding of my cultural and family heritage.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? I see myself launching my own venture capital fund and growing with innovative companies that will shape the future of industries across the world.

DON’T MISS: MEET ROCHESTER SIMON’S MBA CLASS OF 2022