Like many around the world, Kip Mountjoy found himself furloughed in the spring of 2020. As he networked and searched for new opportunities, he saw that many of the positions he was most interested in required an MBA. His program research drew him to the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School‘s analytical focus, strong return on investment, and location. In this Real Humans: Alumni, read about Mountjoy’s journey to a new career in finance at JPMorgan Chase.
Kip Mountjoy, Rochester Simon MBA ’23, Financial Analysis at JPMorgan Chase
Age: 36
Hometown: Greater Philadelphia, PA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Eastern Kentucky University, Business Administration
Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Concentration: University of Rochester – Simon Business School, 2023, Concentrations: Pricing, Strategy, and Brand Management
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Residence Director, NC State University, 1 Year, Higher Education; Senior Capital Campaign Consultant, Pennington & Co., 4 Years, Fundraising Consulting; Expansion Project Manager & Leadership Consultant, Beta Theta Pi, 4 Years, Non-Profit/Higher Education
Post-MBA Work Experience: Corporate Finance, JPMorgan Chase, 3 Years, Financial Services
Why did you choose to attend business school?
I was furloughed in April 2020. While exploring the job market and networking, I found many of the roles and industries I wanted to pursue required an MBA to demonstrate strong analytical and storytelling abilities.
Why Rochester Simon? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
A trusted friend enrolled in another MBA program spoke highly of Simon and the students he had met at conferences and case competitions. After researching the program, I was drawn to Simon’s analytical focus, strong return on investment, and the opportunity to live in a region I had not previously experienced. I knew Simon would help me close key qualification gaps in my résumé.
What about your MBA experience prepared you for your current career? How do you feel that your MBA has been an asset when it comes to navigating new challenges, such as AI?
One of Simon’s core courses was Business Modeling, which has become a key component of my role. The class was challenging but rewarding, and it ultimately led me to join a team focused on building models and using them to inform strategic decision-making.
What was your internship during business school? How did that inform your post-MBA career choice?
I interned at JPMorgan, focusing on marketing in the co-brand credit card space. The internship introduced me to the company, helped refine my skills, and connected me with my current manager.
Why did you choose your current company? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to work?
I had three main criteria: values alignment, role scope and impact, and brand recognition. I wanted to work for a company whose products, values, and community impact I believed in. At JPMorgan, I’ve had opportunities to work across technology, pricing, strategy, marketing, and now finance. Given my diverse background, it was also important to add a globally recognized brand to my résumé.
Advice to current MBA students:
—One thing you would absolutely do again as part of the job search?
Keep an open mind and be open to changes. You might learn something about a company or type of role that you weren’t initially considering but would be a great fit.
—One thing you would change or do differently as part of the job search?
I would explore more industries and roles. Early in the process, I limited myself based on assumptions about what certain roles required.
—Were there any surprises regarding your current employer’s recruiting process?
The interview process was fairly relaxed. Much of the vetting seemed to take place before the formal interview through networking events and email correspondence.
—What piece of advice do you wish you had been given during your MBA?
I received a lot of great advice—I just wish I had done a better job applying it. The first year can feel daunting, but it helps to stay focused on your goals and remember the accomplishments that got you there.
