The Simon Edge

Professional skills today’s companies demand.

Simon is well-known for our rigorous, quantitative-based curriculum. But recruiters of MBA talent also place a premium on communication, teamwork, and leadership skills. That’s why we developed the Simon MBA EDGE Program to focus on key competencies today’s employers demand in graduate business students.

Simon Business School students participate in a ropes course team-building activity.

Professional Growth

This competency development program augments the technical skills Simon students acquire in the classroom with high-impact personal development workshops and signature events. These professional skills are key to integrating and applying the knowledge and skills developed by our MBA curriculum; they provide a process for self‐leadership that can prepare you for a lifetime of opportunities.

Problem Solving

Though advanced problem-solving skills are prized in many roles MBA students wish to pursue—particularly in consulting—few students enter MBA programs with these abilities.

After a few years of experience, many Simon MBAs are tapped for leadership positions, either leading a group or a line of business—particularly if they’ve become knowledgeable about their industry or function and have developed their problem solving, communication, and team-building abilities. These roles require additional capabilities, such as drive/stamina, the ability to influence and inspire others, adaptability, negotiation skills, strategic vision, and delegation skills.

You’ll have many opportunities to develop leadership competencies while at Simon. These include student clubs, the Graduate Business Council, Student Career Leadership Board, Student Ambassadors, Student Career Advisors, Communication Tutor, Coach and Workshop Leader programs, and ad hoc Simon student advisory boards and task forces.

 

Communication

As a manager, you must learn how to connect with a wide range of people to succeed. Without it, you can fail to win the commitment of your reports and struggle to meet otherwise achievable business goals.

Communication skills are also important for you as an MBA student, both within your teams and in your job search. That's why communication and presentation skills will be a major focus during your time at Simon. At the end of your MBA, you'll be ready to enter the workforce as a polished communicator and presenter.

 

Leadership

After a few years of experience, many Simon MBAs are tapped for leadership positions, either leading a group or a line of business—particularly if they’ve become knowledgeable about their industry or function and have developed their problem solving, communication, and team-building abilities.

These roles require additional capabilities, such as drive/stamina, the ability to influence and inspire others, adaptability, negotiation skills, strategic vision, and delegation skills.

You’ll have many opportunities to develop leadership competencies while at Simon. These include student clubs, the Graduate Business Council, Student Career Leadership Board, Student Ambassadors, Student Career Advisors, Communication Tutor, Coach and Workshop Leader programs, and ad hoc Simon student advisory boards and task forces.

 

Global Awareness

In today’s business world, it's crucial for managers and leaders to be globally aware; your ability to work well with diverse colleagues and to be open to new ways of doing business will help you adapt to different work environments, people, and organizations.

At Simon, there are a number of ways for you to develop these competencies. These include becoming involved in student organizations, taking an elective in ethics, taking courses that cultivate creativity, attending Global Awareness and Communication Learning Center programs, getting to know your fellow classmates who come from different parts of the world, seeking an internship with a global company, and participating in a travel or exchange program.

 

Integrity

In business, as it is in life, integrity is paramount. Making ethical decisions is about behaving consistently with your values, principles, and motives. It means being trustworthy, truthful, and candid, and doing the right thing even when no one is looking.

At Simon, we’ll teach you a framework for making ethical decisions which you can take with you in your career. 

 

Teamwork

Most career paths require teamwork and team-building skills. Collaboration, group savvy, interpersonal skills, personal power, relationship building, and the ability to follow a leader are all critical skills for MBAs to possess.

At Simon you’ll have various opportunities to develop teamwork skills, including team projects in classes, unpaid projects with area employers, case competitions, and the Simon Vision program.