Academic & Career Experience and Support at Simon

Shreeya Sachdev ’26 (MBA) | University of Rochester Simon Business School MBA 2026 Candidate

Preparing before the program begins

One thing that really stood out to me about  Simon Business School at the University of Rochester  was that the support started well before we even stepped into the classroom. Before the program officially began, Simon organized structured Wall Street Prep sessions focused on financial modeling and accounting. These sessions helped level the playing field, especially for students coming from non-finance backgrounds.
Since I attended the Forte Conference before joining the MBA program in person, Simon also organized recruiting preparation webinars in advance. These sessions were thoughtful, structured, and incredibly helpful. They gave me early exposure to recruiting expectations and made me feel prepared and supported even before the semester began.

Structured career guidance

Career support at Simon is anchored by the Benet Career Management Center. The center provides structured guidance across many areas of the recruiting process, including resume reviews, interview preparation, pitch practice, and casing. Advisors are accessible, and it’s easy to schedule one-on-one appointments to receive personalized feedback on specific questions or materials. These conversations have been extremely helpful in refining my career goals and better understanding expectations across different recruiting paths.

Learning from those who were just here

One of the most valuable resources for me personally has been the Benet Career Peers (BCPs). These are second-year MBA students who offer career preparation sessions for first-year students, and their support has been incredibly impactful.
Because they were in the exact same position just a year ago, they truly understand what we’re going through. Whether you’re pivoting careers or continuing along a similar path, their feedback is practical, honest, and highly relevant. There are around 20 BCPs from a wide range of professional backgrounds, so it’s easy to find someone whose experience resonates with your own. They played a huge role in helping me prepare for interviews and have always been willing to offer guidance when needed.

Academic support and practical learning

Academically, the support at Simon is just as strong. I have an academic advisor who has been incredibly helpful and accommodating, particularly when it comes to course planning and navigating program requirements. The faculty are highly knowledgeable, approachable, and genuinely invested in student learning. There is also a wide variety of courses to choose from. So far, I’ve particularly enjoyed classes like Business Modeling and Pricing, which are both rigorous and highly practical.

Building confidence through support

Overall, Simon does an excellent job of combining academic rigor with structured, human-centered career support. That balance has made my experience both empowering and rewarding, and it has given me the confidence to pursue my career goals with clarity and preparation.

Rigorous Thinking.
Real Transformation.

Simon Business School develops analytical thinkers and adaptive problem-solvers who lead people, ideas, and industries into the future.

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