Students and faculty/staff attend the Annual Conference and Exposition of the National Black MBA Association

Students attending included Jyothi Bhavani Bachu ’24 (MBA); Aedan Frank ’24, ‘25 (BS psychology, MBA); Quincy Myles Jr. ’24, ‘25 (BS software engineering, MBA); Sammy Robertson ’24, ‘25 (BS accounting, MBA); and Ayanna Smith ’24, ‘25 (BS print and graphic media technology, MBA).

Faculty/staff attending: Lisa Boice, assistant dean for student services, William Dresnack, associate professor in the department of finance and accounting, and Julio Talledo, assistant director of business development.

We had the chance to catch up with some of the students after the conference was over and ask a few questions about their experience.

What was the primary benefit of attending the conference?

Connecting with different individuals and gaining insights into my career prospects. Ayanna

The networking opportunities at all of the events and the career expo. A lot of leaders were present and accessible; willing to connect and share advice. Aedan

The primary benefit of the conference varies for everyone. Some value networking, while others focus on the knowledge gained. For me, the main benefit was the wisdom and insights shared by industry professionals. As an MBA student starting a full-time role in fall 2025, I attended the sessions to gather tips and strategies for my career. The sessions were eye-opening, highlighting the challenges I may face and how to overcome them. I left with a clearer understanding of how to stay prepared and focused on my goals. Sammy

If you would attend the conference again, why?

I would attend the conference again because it was an excellent opportunity to network and see other successful individuals who look like me. Representation matters! Ayanna

I will attend the conference again next time I'm looking for a job or more connections. The recruiters were very helpful with scheduling interviews if you had applied for a specific job beforehand. The panels were great but a lot of that stuff can be done virtually. Aedan

The knowledge I gained was invaluable and will continue to support me throughout my career. I’d return to further improve as a professional and continue learning. Additionally, the networking opportunities with top industry professionals from major companies are a great bonus, especially for those seeking full-time or internship roles. Sammy

What professional connections did you make?

I made many professional connections with Alumni and companies such as Estee Lauder, Live Nation, Constellation Brands, Hershey, Whirlpool, etc. Ayanna

The most interesting character I met was a man named Dr.Isiah who reviewed my resume but gave me so much good advice on career progression and soft skills such as holding drinks in your left hand so you can shake right hands or how you should preface your statements and use names in interviews to foster a higher level of empathy and connection. Aedan

I had the chance to network with RIT alumni and connect with them directly. I also made valuable professional connections with employees from companies attending the career expo. Sammy

What else would you like us to know about your experience at NBMBAA?

This opportunity should be highlighted more, especially among students considering an MBA. This could be a way to convince more  ALANA students who are on the fence about pursuing their MBA here at RIT. Ayanna

We had a chance to connect with alumni in the area which was really helpful and the food throughout the convention was great! Aedan

Not only was the NBMBAA a great opportunity to network with industry professionals, but it was also a wonderful way to connect with classmates, whom I had the pleasure of getting to know and spend time with. Sammy