Full-Time M.B.A. Marketing, Competitive and Organizational Strategy

Working as a structural engineer in Chicago for more than three years was interesting and demanding work, but Inez Johnson realized that, for her, something was missing. She was intrigued when friends with M.B.A.’s talked about the opportunities open to them and the flexibility in career choices that they enjoyed. She researched areas of business that would offer what she liked about engineering, such as project management and working with cross-functional teams, but also required creativity. In the field of brand management, she found what she was looking for. Inez went on to choose Simon, where her experience as an intern with Proctor & Gamble after first year convinced her that brand management really was for her.

While at Simon, she took advantage of other opportunities to break new ground, including a three-month stay in Japan as an exchange student at a graduate business school. As co-chair of the Simon VISION Program, she led a successful effort to incorporate community service into the program. She continued her long involvement in reaching out to young students, serving as a mentor in an inner-city high school. Exposing others to opportunities is something she is passionate about.