Claire Kim

University of Miami, Herbert Business School

“Matcha enthusiast who believes every adventure should be fulfilled.”

Fun fact about yourself: I am an avid scuba diver and recently got my PADI Advanced Open Water certification.

Hometown: Long Grove, IL

High School: Adlai E. Stevenson High School

Major: Finance & Marketing

Favorite Business Course: Financial Planning and Wealth Management

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Extracurricular Activities & Leadership Positions:

• Hyperion Council – Secretary General (President) of a student-run consulting organization
• Professional Development Student Leader in the BUS211/MGT199 course delivered to all Miami Herbert Business School sophomores
• TAMID – Consulting Project Manager
• Target Canes – Finance Mentor
• Leaders of Tomorrow Initiative – Established Leader
• Goldstein Milo Marketing Scholars Program
• Sigma Delta Tau Sorority
• Study Abroad in Rome, Italy

School Awards & Honors:

• Stamps Scholar (Full Cost of Attendance Merit Scholarship)
• Sophomore of the Year Award – Miami Herbert Business School
• President’s Honors Roll (all semesters)
• Foote Fellow Honors Program
• Office of Disability Services Note Taker

Where have you interned during your college career?

• Citi – New York City, NY – Global Wealth Management Summer Analyst
• Citi – Remote – Early Identification Program
• UScale – Coral Gables, FL – Project Manager
• Fresenius-Kabi – Lake Zurich, IL -Critical Care Marketing Intern

Where will you be working after graduation? Citi Wealth Management Rotational Analyst, New York City

Who is your favorite business professor? Professor William Bolton cares immensely about the success of his students and created a class designed to inspire us to dream big while equipping us with the tools to accomplish them. Every lesson was taught through the lens of real-world examples and had opportunities to put theory into practice. On our last day of class, Professor Bolton left us with a 23-point plan for finding success in a digital world, my personal favorite being “Work for why, not for what and how”. This concept of the Golden Circle urges business leaders to ask themselves why you do what you do first, then focus on the how to accomplish and what to accomplish. For me, this resonated while in my own career search and I began critically asking myself “why”. He also encouraged me to live outside of my comfort zone and maximize every opportunity. These mantras were not only echoed in most of his lectures, but also mirrored in his own real-life experiences.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Take the initiative! Whether it be getting involved on campus, networking, or teaching yourself a new skill, independent exploration outside of the classroom can be a huge asset in your undergraduate career. By seeking your own answers, doors can open, and you never know what an opportunity will lead to.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? I was surprised at how dynamic the world of business is. My experience as a student consultant in the Hyperion Council and TAMID has allowed me to interact with entrepreneurs from many areas including healthcare, e-commerce, and real estate; it showed me how many nuances can be found across both functions and sectors. Business is a term that describes a broad range of experiences. Even one discipline within business is different across varying industries. With such diversity of content, business is truly a never-ending opportunity to learn and generate new experiences.

Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? Looking back at my college experience, I am grateful to have been able to explore so many facets of business and be as involved on campus. If I could do one thing differently, it would have been to make more time for organizations that were not business-related. When I studied abroad, I came to realize how important a balance between your hobbies and your passions is. In retrospect, joining the scuba diving or fashion thrifting clubs would have led me to experience the university and Miami in a different way.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? While I am proud of all the opportunities I have had in my undergraduate experience, I am most proud of being Secretary General of the Hyperion Council, a student-run consulting organization. Hyperion seeks to uplift individuals and communities locally in South Florida and abroad through pro-bono consulting. I joined Hyperion when I was a sophomore. Since then, I have been able to create eight different partnerships with non-profit organizations, work closely with entrepreneurs on improving their businesses, and build the framework for a case competition. For me, the highlight of these four years has been being able to make a real impact on the lives of entrepreneurs and individuals from underprivileged communities by utilizing skills taught by the business school. Through Hyperion, I was also lucky to be a part of a group of individuals that inspire me every day, some of which have been by greatest mentors and friends.

Which classmate do you most admire? Lilly Nevo. She is my roommate, study partner, and travel buddy, but also one of the most tenacious and hard-working individuals I have met. Over the course of four years and many difficult classes, we have perfected our Sunday study ritual and our rewards in the form of frozen Trader Joes meals. Lilly is always striving to push her boundaries and learn new skills, facing challenges head on while uplifting those around her. She celebrates my wins as her own and vice versa. Her disposition and work ethic are going to make her a powerhouse in the fashion marketing space and I am so excited to see all that she does.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I am very fortunate to have had amazing mentors, family, managers, and friends who have contributed to my personal and professional career. But because he gets seniority rights, I am forever grateful to my dad for not only setting an inspiring example to live up to, but also encouraging me to pursue any of my passions. Whether it was my 8-year-old dream to be a choreographer, or my present-day aspirations to a career in business, my dad has always supported my dreams. As a leader in business himself, he has demonstrated immense integrity, a strong work ethic, the importance of leading with empathy, and along the way he has become my biggest role model.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? Business has no borders, so in the short term, I really want to live and work internationally. In the long term, I would love to create a merit-based scholarship foundation that helps international students. My grandfather was a political science professor that dedicated his career to facilitating opportunities for students to study internationally. Also, being a part of the Stamps Scholarship has deeply impacted my own undergraduate experience and I would love to create similar opportunities for students in the future.

What made Claire such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Claire Kim is outstanding. She is doing an amazing job as the Secretary-General for the Hyperion Council. This impact consulting organization encourages undergraduate business students to gain valuable leadership experience by developing projects that strengthen the bonds between the local and international communities and the University. I am constantly impressed by her skills, professionalism, and drive. She is selfless, bright, and dedicated to success. I truly believe she embodies this prestigious award.”

Esteban Petruzzello
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, Economics Department
Miami Herbert Business School

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