When Isabella Simon ’24 takes a risk or makes a major decision, have no doubt that it’s been well calculated. But that’s typical of Simon, a finance major at Syracuse University's Martin J. Whitman School of Management, who weighs the pros and cons and studies the facts and figures.
That was certainly the case when she decided to study abroad. And she displayed that steady logic in her job search, securing a position in the commercial bank rotational analyst program at Capital One.
Simon put all those skills to the test when she pursued a meeting with a Capital One recruiter to discuss other opportunities. And it paid off. “Knowing I had the support system in place, including friends, family and the Orange network, definitely helped me take that risk and feel confident enough to believe in myself and what I wanted,” Simon says. “Being able to take that kind of risk by putting myself out there really helped start my career.”
Simon is a dual major in public relations in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. “My dual majors were an exciting challenge, but they provided the flexibility I was looking for in my education,” she says. “Having both creative and analytical skills provides me with a well-rounded mindset to approach problem-solving and prepares me for the evolution of careers I intend to explore.” Her classes in the Whitman School give her the business knowledge she needs to succeed while her Newhouse School classes round out her skillset with critical communications experience. “Newhouse provided me with public speaking, presentation, writing, and design skills that will apply to all challenges ahead.”
Simon Says
Simon ’24, a dual major in finance and public relations, balances schoolwork with her many activities including as a Whitman School peer mentor, vice president of finance for the Public Relations Student Society of America, a Whitman Student Ambassador, as student engagement assistant in the Whitman Career Center.
Simon has explored Syracuse from every side—academics, club sports and student organizations. She also had an internship with Morgan Stanley in Manhattan, which she secured with help through the Whitman on Wall Street program, an immersive finance experience for Whitman School students. She’s taken her learning beyond campus to Syracuse’s abroad center in Florence, Italy, and on a Whitman School immersion trip to Nairobi, Kenya, where she put some of her classroom lessons into practice.
“Syracuse’s flexibility really attracted me,” she says of why she chose to attend Syracuse. “I wanted to be in a place where there were lots of opportunities academically, socially and everything in between.”
One of the activities closest to the New Jersey native’s heart is the club softball team, which Simon says helps her to balance her schoolwork and job in the Whitman Career Center. “Softball practice is where I get to be with my teammates and absorb the energy that I love,” she says. “It’s an outlet and it helps me keep up with my daily schedule.”
Syracuse’s flexibility really attracted me. I wanted to be in a place where there were lots of opportunities academically, socially and everything in between.
Isabella Simon ’24
That schedule also includes membership in Delta Sigma Pi, a professional business fraternity within the Whitman School. Simon credits it with helping her strengthen her presentation and public speaking skills and where she’s made some of her closest friends. She is also vice president of finance for the Public Relations Student Society of America, a Whitman Student Ambassador, leading tours for prospective students, and works in the Whitman Career Center. Previously, she was a Whitman School peer mentor who worked with incoming first-year students.
Simon spent a summer in Manhattan interning at Morgan Stanley in the Operations division on the Global Network and Banking Services team.
If it sounds like a lot that’s because it is, but that doesn’t worry Simon. “Even though I’m busy, I don’t feel overwhelmed because the people here make me feel involved, impactful and encouraged. Every team and group I’m a part of is a different form of support for different aspects of my college journey,” Simon explains. “Honestly, it’s exciting to be involved in so much. It's also how you meet different people with different backgrounds and see how putting your time and effort into something gives you more in return.”
Even though I’m busy, I don’t feel overwhelmed because the people make me feel involved, impactful and encouraged. Every team and group I’m a part of is a different form of support for different aspects of my college journey.
Isabella Simon ’24
Global Learning
The River Edge, New Jersey native’s parents also attended Syracuse University.
When Simon was a sophomore, she traveled to Kenya for an immersive learning experience as part of her class Managing in a Global Setting. There, they met with representatives from several businesses and visited artisan workshops to learn about entrepreneurship, supply chain and other business practices in Kenya. Simon says one of the biggest lessons she took away from the experience was how it opened her eyes to becoming comfortable in unfamiliar situations. “The best places and journeys lead you to questions you didn’t know you had. My class trip to Kenya really deepened my perspective and fostered personal growth.” In the classroom before going, Simon and her classmates created projects for the businesses they met with in Kenya. Once there, they spoke with staff at those businesses about supply chain issues and marketing efforts, shared ideas and established a network.
Simon also spent a semester studying abroad in Florence in 2022. She took a break from her finance studies, opting for several arts and science classes. And, of course, ate—and handmade—lots of pasta. Her housing was within walking distance from Villa Rossa—the Syracuse Abroad center in Florence—and a few minutes from the city center, giving her the chance to immerse herself in the local culture and language.
The best places and journeys lead you to questions you didn’t know you had. My class trip to Kenya really deepened my perspective and fostered personal growth.
Isabella Simon ’24
Finding Balance
Simon took part in an immersive learning trip to Kenya as well as studied abroad in Florence, Italy through the Syracuse Abroad program.
Simon juggles a lot of activities and responsibilities, but that’s perfect for her. She’s grateful to know she has the support system—including her family, professors, friends and school resources—to keep her grounded. “I have this one quote in my room that says, ‘I will never again take for granted the people and places I love most,’” she says.
“I think that’s what I'll miss most about Syracuse when I graduate—the people. But I’m excited to become part of Syracuse’s alumni network. That will be a source of comfort for me. I’ll miss the people at Syracuse, but my fellow Orange won’t be that far.”
