Darden Student Spotlight: Hispanic MBAs at Darden

Angelica Alam, Class of 2014

In the following guest blog, Angelica Alam, Class of 2014, discusses her role as vice president of corporate relations in the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA), the value of an MBA in the Hispanic community and why she chose to attend Darden:

After moving to New York City and pursuing a career in strategy at MTV Networks, I knew wanted to apply what I knew in finance to my community. That’s why I became involved in NSHMBA — a Hispanic business organization for highly talented Latinos and Latinas in pursuit of a graduate degree in business. NSHMBA offers a number of resources to prospective MBA students, including mentorship programs, GMAT classes, financial advice, assistance with application essays and a network of Hispanic business professionals to encourage them through each step of their MBA search. As VP of corporate relations, I cultivated partnerships with companies around the city to sponsor events and cut membership costs, encouraging more Hispanics to become involved with the NSHMBA.

The Latino community needs role models. Many students are the first in their families to pursue a bachelor’s degree, let alone a graduate-level MBA. By 2050, the Latino population is expected to make up over 30 percent of the U.S. population, but the amount of Latinos earning graduate degrees is at 7 percent. We need to increase our representation in the business community, and it’s more important than ever for Hispanics to pursue an MBA.

I was introduced to Darden’s MBA through my mentor, a Darden alumna who was also involved in NSHMBA. Although I was accepted into other top-tier schools, I ultimately decided to attend Darden because of its tight-knit community. The School is small enough to get to know everyone in my class, enabling me to build a stronger network with the top pool of Hispanic MBA graduates. The intense learning curriculum and case method of instruction prepares me to tackle real problems in the workforce — from solving a tough financial case to managing different perspectives within a boardroom.

After graduating from Darden, I fully intend on continuing my work with NSHMBA. I strongly implore any prospective Hispanic student thinking about earning an MBA to get involved with your local NSHMBA chapter. All it takes is an e-mail or a phone call — we’ll respond on the same day. We want you to succeed in your MBA search.

-Angelica Alam, MBA Class of 2014

Resources for Hispanics interested in pursuing a Darden MBA:

Application Process
Scholarships
Hispanic American Network at Darden (HAND)
Diversity at Darden