Steve Murphy

Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

“British with Singaporean heritage; passionate about driving a pragmatic balance between risk and reward.”

Hometown: London, UK

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love singing.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Cambridge – Mechanical Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Citi / In-Business Credit Risk Manager

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of the Wharton School’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Its overall flexibility – as this allows us to prioritize across professional, personal and academic goals differently during each quarter in the way that makes the most sense for each of us.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at the Wharton School? Out4Business (Wharton’s LGBTQ+ club) – I look forward to being part of a community of ambitious people who are authentically themselves!

When you think of the Wharton School, what is the first word that comes to mind? Why? Determination – everyone here has a goal to make an impact in a meaningful way.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized the Wharton School was the right MBA program for you? Why? The student that led a campus tour I joined made a strong impression in a way that I wasn’t expecting. He emphasized how effectively his classmates work together with each other. The diversity of experiences within the class leads to students building on each other’s strengths. This collaborative spirit is something I want to be a part of.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I led the creation of analytics dashboards from scratch at BNP Paribas.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? I want to become a trusted advisor to companies through a role in Investment Banking.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? I’ve been reading about cognitive empathy – or the ability to understand others’ perspectives – I’ve come to appreciate that it is a key skill in becoming an effective leader

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Other top US MBA programs where banks recruit.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into the Wharton School’s MBA program? When applying, I would think deeply about how your achievements and strengths could enable you to positively impact the wider school community. And at the team-based discussion, aim to build on others’ ideas and bring them together (whilst keeping a close eye on the clock)!

DON’T MISS: MEET WHARTON’S MBA CLASS OF 2026