Rosie Kim           

Vanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of Management

“Born and raised in bustling Seoul, yet deeply drawn to nature like Kansas cornfields and Nashville’s natural areas.”

Hometown: Seoul, South Korea

Fun Fact About Yourself:  I’m a wine-tasting blogger for fun, and along the way I earned an international Level 2 wine certification.

Undergraduate School and Major: Dankook University, public administration

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Electrolux, Product Line Manager

What has been your favorite part of Nashville so far? Why? Nashville is the perfect mix of excitement and peace. I love relaxing at Centennial Park enjoying its wide-open green spaces, and then heading to The Gulch or Broadway for live music, trendy vibes, and the Nashville Predators games. Everyone here seems to be smiling and soaking up the good energy!

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Vanderbilt Owen’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The Leadership Development Program (LDP) stood out to me. Honing leadership skills is a core aspect of  MBA, and Owen’s unique approach captured my attention. When the admissions team visited Korea, I learned that the LDP begins even before the semester starts and includes tailored individual sessions as well as flexible group programs. Vanderbilt’s smaller cohort size compared to other MBA programs makes these personalized opportunities possible, fostering a close-knit community that I found especially appealing.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Vanderbilt Owen? Owen Strategy and Consulting Club has been a highlight. Every Sunday, we gather to learn strategic thinking, share ideas, and network with practitioners. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore the core of business strategy in a structured way outside of class.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far? My biggest accomplishment was leading the development of an electric bathroom product from concept to pre-production, specifically designed for the U.S. market. It was the first product tailored specifically for the U.S. market, and I collaborated closely with the engineering and design teams to ensure its success. The process involved integrating data, identifying unmet customer needs, selecting an overseas factory site, and conducting focus group discussions. One key challenge was finding the perfect product size and specifications. To address this, I didn’t rely solely on research. I flew to the U.S. within three days to ensure we met the exact requirements. The result was a product that outperformed competitors in blind tests, receiving the highest customer satisfaction scores.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far?  As a Student Fellow in the recruitment and admissions team, I’ve had the opportunity to meet prospective students, which has been incredibly rewarding. I genuinely enjoy coaching and mentoring prospective students, helping them navigate the MBA journey, and sharing insights about Owen. Whether it’s through email, Zoom, or in-person meetings on campus, it’s fulfilling to provide guidance and leave a positive impression about the program and community. Many of these interactions have developed into meaningful connections where we can discuss not just MBA life but broader aspirations as well.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? Being with my classmates, spending time with time on weekends have fun. One of my favorite memories is the Owen year-end party. Wrapping up the first and second mods felt like such an accomplishment, especially after a huge transition, from living in a different country to moving from work life to school life. Celebrating with my Owen friends and reflecting on how far we’ve come together made it an incredibly memorable experience.

DON’T MISS: MEET VANDERBILT OWEN’S MBA CLASS OF 2026

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