Choosing an MBA program is about more than just rankings and employment report data; it’s about finding a community with resources to fuel your success. Darden is dedicated to empowering all students with the resources and networks to achieve their career goals. In addition to traditional on-Grounds recruiting, we encourage and support students as they tap into the wide-reaching diversity career conferences that offer targeted career opportunities and professional community building.
Inclusive Spaces for Targeted Professional Development
Diversity MBA conferences connect underrepresented students and professionals with top business schools and employers. Prominent examples include Forté MBA Women’s Leadership Conference, MBA Veterans (MBA Vets), the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Conference, Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) for the LGBTQ+ community, and Prospanica for Hispanic business professionals.
These events foster inclusive spaces for career exploration and advancement, offering targeted networking and recruitment opportunities. Many also host case competitions for MBA students to demonstrate their skills beyond a resume or interview.
Look no further than Psalms Morales (MBA ’26) and Deshun Lin (MBA ’26), two exceptional students who attended and won competitions at the 2024 Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) conference.
Passionate Journeys to ROMBA
Deshun, aware of ROMBA before even applying to Darden, wanted to contribute to the conference’s focus on fostering cross-cultural understanding and supporting mental health initiatives. “I always wanted to be part of ROMBA to give back to the minority community,” Deshun says.
Psalms, who serves as a ROMBA Fellow at Darden, felt passionately about advocating for LGBTQ+ representation in the business world.
“From the very beginning of my MBA journey ROMBA was at the forefront,” Psalms explains. “I knew I wanted to be involved in Queer Advocacy and empowerment because, we know, queer and trans community members make up a negligible and often forgotten population of the business world…making an impact was and is important to me.”
Exhibiting Talent and Leadership Early On
Deshun, alongside a teammate from Georgetown McDonough School of Business, participated in the M&A competition.
“We were given a task to deliver strategic financial advice to Wells Fargo,” Deshun explains. “We were able to quickly identify key value drivers while maintaining a holistic view of the transaction’s strategic implications…[taking] a deliberately conservative approach to valuation and deal structure which resonated strongly with the judges,” he adds. Of the experience, Deshun observed that “beyond the win itself, this achievement has significantly boosted my confidence as I navigate recruiting.”
Psalms secured a win in the StartOut Pitch competition. They presented the innovative apparel platform, SALMOS, a project nurtured during their work with Bain & Co., BlueTin Productions and First Choice.
“SALMOS is the next-gen model for the apparel industry,” Psalms says. “It dramatically reduces waste and stimulates employment opportunities for our most disenfranchised community members.” Ultimately, “we create 2D technical patterns with the SALMOS TrueFit so that anyone and all bodies can get perfectly fitted clothes of high quality in as little as two days.”
Beyond the Competitions
ROMBA offers more than just competitions. Deshun maximized his connections at the career expo, met over 30+ connections in the community and was invited to several closed list events. Psalms networked with queer leaders in private banking and venture capital – their other potential areas of career interest.
The Darden Community Advantage
Deshun and Psalms’ victories weren’t just about individual brilliance; they showcased the power of Darden resources and community in action. Deshun attributes the foundation of his success in part to the Investment Banking Boot Camp. This series of technical training sessions is organized by the Darden Career Center and Finance Club, and honed his valuation skills and market awareness.
Psalms refined their pitch before ROMBA using invaluable feedback from a marketing class exercise.
“In this world, you can’t get anywhere without the support of your community. I was able to get 70 people to critique me, coach me, and most importantly root for me. Preparation, a little push, and a supportive Darden community is what helped me find the confidence to win,” emphasizes Psalms.
“If you are connecting and coffee chatting, but just aren’t feeling the spark. Go to ROMBA, and I promise someone from your dream company/industry will be there ready to make you feel welcomed and ready for success!”
Ready to Follow Their Lead?
Thinking about attending ROMBA or participating in its competitions? Deshun advises connecting with PRIDE at Darden and the Finance Club early on. Psalms stresses the importance of seeking guidance from your ROMBA Fellow and the Career Center.
The Darden Career Center offers valuable preparation resources for connecting with leaders in industry and across potential career paths for all the summer and fall diversity conferences. Connect early with a Career Coach to work on your elevator pitch, polish your resume and develop target lists of Darden alumni.
Join the vibrant Darden community – connect with us today!
