Jeong Kim

University of Rochester, Simon Business School

“Rochester returnee, behind-the-scenes, craving for efficiency, trying to learn everyday.”

Hometown: Seoul, Korea

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have a Lego Titanic left unboxed in my home country.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Rochester – BA in Financial Economics & Statistics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: KPMG (Korea) – Manager, Deal Advisory

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 data being so extensively used today, the courses at Simon are appealing to me. Analysis, interpretation, and adaptation of data is becoming more important as the world gets more connected and digitalized – it is creating and changing industries (i.e., emergence of data centers around the world or targeted advertisements that we could not have imagined years ago). I’m also drawn to Simon’s STEM-designated option. Simon’s focus on quantitative analysis will help improve my data analysis, interpretation, and decision-making skills.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Rochester Simon’s MBA curriculum or programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Simon’s diversity played a key role. I want to learn from others – not just classmates, but the entire Simon and University communities. I look forward to everyone’s diverse perspectives and experiences. Also, Simon’s return on investment strengthened my decision to come to the school.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Rochester Simon? I would like to join the Simon School Venture Fund, which is an early-stage seed fund run by Simon students. I hope to be partnered with promising local businesses and help their growth, thereby contributing to the Rochester community.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: It was the project with my first leadership role! Unlike previous projects, it was the first experience where I was communicating with clients and giving guidance to fellow team members. It was not only memorable because the project was successful – and the client kept a keen relationship with the company – but it was an opportunity to reflect on how to effectively share and communicate my understandings and messages with audiences.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? “Be authentic. Don’t pretend to be someone you are not.” I heard this from one of my classmates when I told him that, as an international student, I sometimes get nervous when connecting with classmates. His words encouraged me not to be afraid to reach out to others and express myself more. I think this advice is important for prospective MBAs since there will be significant interaction with individuals from different work, educational, family and cultural backgrounds. I believe that being authentic, and making an effort to reach out to others, is the best way to truly get to know people.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? I believe the rich diversity and the extensive experiences of my classmates—supported by the professional and enthusiastic Simon community—will factor into my success at Simon.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Simon’s MBA program? Think about your core values. Ask yourself: how can those values can be embraced by Simon and your own community? Figure out how to make them—in the words of the University of Rochester’s motto, Meliora —“ever better.”

DON’T MISS: MEET ROCHESTER SIMON’S MBA CLASS OF 2024