Kimberly Versaw

MS, Marketing, Class of 2011

Marketing Specialist
Ingersoll Rand

A bit of serendipity brought Kimberly Versaw to Simon in her quest for a career in marketing. As an undergrad economics and Spanish major at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania,Kimberly was working as a career peer adviser when she was called upon to set up a presentation by the Simon Admissions Office.

"After speaking with them, I decided to research the School and academic programs and became fond of the quantitative academics and alumni network that Simon has to offer," the Wexford, PA., native says. "I have been impressed with the School's economic approach to solving business problems and the emphasis on analysis rather than the standard application of business problems.I was especially attracted to the marketing program because of the analysis behind the creativity and design of marketing collateral."

Kimberly has found valuable experience as a member of the Simon Marketing Association and her participation in a case competition for CertaPro Painters.

"This opened up the opportunity to use our analytical skills that we have developed at Simon and utilize them in a professional manner that resulted in innovative ideas and business plans for one of the largest franchises in the United States," says Kimberly, who also gives Simon's Career Management Center and her marketing management class points for providing "great guest lecturers" and corporate visits that have helped her narrow her job search and further solidify her career path.

"My Simon experience has provided me with a skill set that allows me to communicate effectively with business professionals through the plethora of networking events that Simon hosts," Kimberly says. "I also am very pleased to have further expanded my analytical thinking skills that I developed throughout my undergraduate career."

"Simon emphasizes the FACt approach to solving business problems, and in an ever-changing society, the business professional must know how to effectively communicate problems and efficiently analyze and solve these issues. Prospective students should understand the value behind the FACt approach and its relevance in the real world."