Real Humans of the NYU Stern MBA Class of 2028

Sophia Derlon, NYU Stern MBA Class of 2028

Age: 25
Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela / Miami, FL 
Undergraduate Institution and Major: NYU / Media, Culture, and Communications 
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Brand Marketing Manager, B2B Tech, IBM, 3 years 

Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
My decision to attend business school came from realizing that I wanted to understand not only how to build a strong brand, but how the broader business decisions behind that brand are made. In my experience in brand marketing at IBM, I have worked cross-functionally across creative, media, product marketing, etc. Those experiences showed me how interconnected different parts of a business are, while also making me realize how much more I wanted to learn beyond advertising. I want to be able to look at a business challenge from multiple perspectives and understand how decisions around customers, strategy, finance, and operations ultimately come together.

Why did you choose NYU Stern? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The emphasis Stern places on developing both EQ and IQ was a major factor in my decision. I wanted an MBA that would strengthen not only my analytical and business skills, but also my ability to lead and communicate. With this, I knew that the community at Stern would also be global with many different perspectives and where all voices are heard. 

I also wanted to continue being at the heart of New York City. After seven years in this city, I have seen how much you can learn just by being here. Being surrounded by the city’s diverse industries, leaders, and ideas gives me the opportunity to learn from the business community while also learning at Stern. New York City attracts incredible professors, students, and alumni that are leaders in diverse industries and jobs. 

Lastly, having attended NYU for my undergraduate degree, I already knew and valued the university’s environment and culture and wanted to return to a community where I had such a positive experience! 

What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
My personal and professional background is my most valuable contribution to the Class of 2028. I come from a Syrian, Venezuelan, and Canadian background. This has exposed me to different cultures and ways of thinking, which allows me to bring a broad and unique perspective. Professionally, my experience working in-house in advertising has given me a different lens on business than many traditional MBA backgrounds. All this taught me to approach business through a creative lens, finding new ways to connect with consumers in a highly technical industry. Overall, I plan to bring this combination of global perspective and creativity to classroom discussions and the broader Stern community.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
When I am not studying, you’ll usually find me in the kitchen or scouting New York’s food scene. Cooking is a passion I inherited from my dad; it’s our primary way of bonding and constantly learning from one another. To me, food is all about creativity, where different ingredients and flavors tell a story. I love exploring new restaurants or hosting friends for dinner because a great meal is the ultimate way to bring people together over quality time.

Post-MBA career interests:
Brand Management, Product Management, and Marketing 

Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
In my Stern application, I was completely myself. While it was tempting to try to fit a specific mold or highlight only the traditional achievements I thought an admissions committee expected, I chose total honesty. I leaned into my unique background, showed all of my distinct interests, and spoke openly about the experiences that have genuinely shaped me. I wrote about my family, running, and volunteering, which are all things that have made me who I am today. 

–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have reached out to more current students and alumni earlier in the process. While the website and official info sessions provide a great overview of academic programs, it would have been great to have one-on-one conversations with people who have lived the experience. 

–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The waiting period between clicking submit and receiving decisions. It’s easy to spiral into “what-ifs,” but reminding myself that I put my authentic self on my application gave me a real sense of calm and pride. Leaning heavily on my support system got me through the anxiety. Also, taking time to celebrate all the hard work, the endless studying, draft revisions, and polished essays, helped me get rid of some jitters. 

What is your initial impression of the NYU Stern students/culture/community?
My initial impression of Stern is that the community is incredibly social and welcoming. I’ve met people with a wide range of personal and professional backgrounds, which has made the community feel both fun, diverse, and collaborative. Everyone I’ve interacted with seems genuinely motivated to learn from one another and grow. I’ve also been impressed by how supportive the Stern community is, from professors and the Careers team to MBA2s, all who have been willing to help us navigate our first year.

What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
There are so many organizations that I want to join at Stern! I plan to join the Graduate Marketing Association (GMA) which will help me with brand management, alongside the Private Equity & Venture Capital Club to explore my growing interest in early-stage investing. I also intend to join the Latin American Business Association (LABA) to connect with other Latin American students. And as an avid foodie, I will join Stern Cellars so I can learn more about wine and connect with classmates with similar interests. 

What is one thing you have learned about NYU Stern that has surprised you?
I was surprised by how approachable and collaborative the entire Stern community is. The faculty and administrators are very accessible and supportive. The students are also so willing to connect and bond with each other. It created a really nice community that I am excited to be a part of. 

What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m most excited to dive headfirst into new experiences. I look forward to broadening my business toolkit with unfamiliar subjects like accounting and operations, while leveraging NYU’s unique resources like Doing Business in courses and entrepreneurship offerings. I’m eager to create lifelong friendships with my classmates, while also building a network of enthusiastic and intelligent people.