David Pearlroth, Rochester Simon MBA Class of 2020
Age: 28
Hometown: Yorktown Heights, NY
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Delaware, Political Science/English
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): I spent the last five and a half years working at various NYC advertising agencies in an account management role. I led accounts for brands such as Hasbro, Puma, YouTube Music, Jägermeister, and AARP.
Why business school? Why now?
I loved my career in advertising but realized that I wanted to go into marketing so I could be more responsible for the success (or failure) of a brand. I gained a great deal of “soft skills” from my time in advertising but I knew I was missing some quant-specific knowledge.
As a marketer, you need to feel enabled to take creative risks but you also must know how and when to use data to make informed decisions. I went to business school to learn more about quant specific subjects like data analytics, financial modeling, and market research to become a completely well-rounded marketer.
Why Simon? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The three factors that figured most prominently into my decision was Simon’s quant-focused curriculum, the tight-knit community, and the ability to be a leader in the class.
Simon’s unabashedly analytical approach to their coursework became eminent as soon as I arrived on campus. In fact, we are so analytics focused that we received the first STEM MBA certification in the United States, regardless of a student’s specialization.
Secondly, Simon’s tight-knit community becomes so clear as soon as you arrive on campus (I would recommend visiting)! We are a small class so everyone knows each other but more importantly, everyone cares for each other. Finally, Simon offered me a Fielding Leadership Fellowship, which made it clear that leadership opportunities would be available for me.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020?
Well my classmates would say that my most valuable contribution is driving them to Wegman’s but I believe it is my eagerness to help other students in need and my knowledge about marketing from my previous work experience.
My eagerness to help isn’t a differentiator because our whole class is the same way but I do feel that the experiences from my advertising career have been helping “career switchers” understand the marketing discipline a bit better.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I won a man pageant or “mangeant” in high school. That’s right, you are reading about THE Mr. Yorktown 2008.
Post-MBA career interests?
Brand management or marketing strategy in the Media/Entertainment sector.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
If you can, try to visit the campuses of your top school’s multiple times. This was the most important thing I did during my application process, as it was the main factor that helped me make my final decision of what school to attend.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
I would have started the application process with a more informed understanding of what I was looking to get out of grad school. I believe that I was way too focused on school rankings and not focused enough on the things that really mattered to me. In my case, this was finding the right curriculum and the right school culture where I would feel comfortable.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Trying to juggle my 10-12 hour workdays with GMAT studying was difficult. You definitely need to set the expectation for yourself that you won’t have a social life for a couple of months but at the end of the day, of course it’s worth it.
What is your initial impression of Simon’s students/culture/community?
The culture has been even greater than I could have imagined. As I’ve mentioned, everyone is extremely supportive which has been proven throughout the internship interview process. A classmate of mine helped me interview prep for a position that he was also applying to. You see that kind of selflessness here at Simon on a daily basis.
One thing you have learned about Simon that has surprised you?
It was mentioned during the application process but I really didn’t take into account how international our class is (about 50 percent) until I arrived on campus. It has been truly incredible to learn so much about so many different cultures. It has been one of my favorite things about Business School so far.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I’m most anxious about missing some great opportunities that Simon has to offer. We have a venture fund club, an investment club, and a student-led consulting group called VISION. These are all programs that I would love to be a part of but you have to be realistic about your schedule.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m most excited about continuing to grow my relationships with the amazing members of the Class of 2020!
