Widening horizons outside of Rochester

Meet new Metro NYC Network Leader Ibrahim Kaya ‘15S (MS)

Ibrahim Kaya ’15S (MS)

What was your time like as a student at Simon?

I attended Simon Business School in 2014 and graduated with an MS in Finance in 2015. Prior to attending Simon, I had already come across many academic papers of University of Rochester faculty members, so it was exciting to meet many of the authors in person. I was equally excited about the curriculum of the MS Finance program, given the quantitative/analytical nature of it and the many subjects that were applicable to a career in investment banking. I’m still leveraging certain skills I gained from some of the fundamental classes such as Financial Statement Analysis and Cases in Finance in my day-to-day job. Those classes provided me with a strong set of tools to frame and analyze complex financial and business problems in an efficient manner.

I was actively involved in the Financial Management Association (“FMA”) as Class Representative and VP of Training & Events. The FMA leadership role provided me the opportunity to contribute to the development of my peers and gain leadership skills while getting ready for the job market. It was a wonderful experience to work with students from diverse backgrounds while learning from each other. Being a long-time soccer enthusiast, the Simon Soccer Club was a great opportunity to keep playing soccer while being in Business School. We even attended some tournaments and played against other American and International business schools.

Being part of the tight-knit Rochester community and being surrounded by ambitious individuals with diverse and unique backgrounds made the whole experience worth it from both an academic and personal perspective. I’m grateful for the support that I received during my time in Rochester from the staff, alumni, and my peers, whom I consider friends now. After graduating, many of us left Rochester and spread out around the world, but we are still in touch and speak regularly (even if that means that we have to bridge time zones between three continents).

How did your experience at the University of Rochester influence your life?

Choosing to study at the University of Rochester was one of the best decisions I have made thus far. I’m grateful for the time I spent at the University of Rochester, the rigorous academic coursework I completed, and the strong relationships and many friendships I have developed.

The experience at the University of Rochester was truly unique and valuable in many aspects. It was a great platform to learn, reflect and widen my horizon as a person. It was enriching to be part of the Rochester community and absorb the distinctive culture and shared values in a highly formative phase of my life, while being taught by some of the most distinguished finance professors out there. Experiencing new cultures on the campus has been one of the most valuable aspects of my personal development during my time in Rochester.

What made you want to become part of the NYC Network Leadership Council?

After my graduation, I moved to London and subsequently spent a couple of year in Amsterdam before moving to New York. Being back in the U.S., I felt the desire to reconnect with the University of Rochester community and engage with fellow alumni and students in the NYC area. The University is close to my heart, and I enjoy sharing memories and experiences with fellow alumni and try to help young and ambitious Rochester students as much as I can. Being part of the Network Leadership Council will hopefully amplify those efforts in the future.

What’s the most rewarding part of staying connected with your alma mater?

The strong community and international network have been instrumental for my career as I have received support and mentorship from various alumni during critical periods in my career, for which I’m grateful. I also enjoy speaking with young and ambitious students who are at the beginning of their careers and go through similar hurdles that I used to experience back in the days in Rochester. Helping those students out is one of the most fulfilling parts of staying connected to the alma mater.

There is a strong nostalgic aspect that I also find important and appreciate a lot. Whether it is with former classmates, alumni, or students, it’s always a special moment when we share our experiences about Rochester.

What are you looking forward to next?

I’m excited to be part of NLC and I look very much forward to meeting fellow University of Rochester folks in the NYC area. I hope to contribute to the community building and events, as we have emerged from the pandemic and in-person events are picking up again.

What advice do you have for others looking to get involved?

I would encourage alumni to get involved in the NLC as it is a great way to stay connected and strengthen the network of the Rochester community in the area. It allows them to connect with fellow alumni from different backgrounds and years, which they otherwise might not have encountered in their respective disciplines. They will be amazed by the diverse and inclusive network that spans across various industries and regions.