Guest blog by Felix Contreras-Castro
The ROMBA Conference, or Reaching Out MBA, is the world’s largest annual gathering of LGBTQ+ business students and alumni. It serves as an unparalleled platform for networking, professional development, and career opportunities. With over 100 corporate partners actively recruiting LGBTQ+ talent, the event features workshops, panels, and a career fair spanning industries such as consulting, healthcare, finance, and technology.
This year, the 2024 ROMBA Conference will be held in Los Angeles, CA, from September 26-28. It offers a unique opportunity for attendees to connect with both peers and professionals while fostering a sense of community and inclusivity.
ROMBA provides a wealth of opportunities for attendees. Students can participate in case competitions that push their analytical and presentation skills to the next level, all while learning from top-tier business professionals. The sessions are led by experts in various fields such as healthcare, finance, consulting, and technology, providing invaluable insights into the challenges and trends within those industries.
Another standout feature is the early recruitment access to some of the most desirable companies in the world, including McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, and BMS. The career fair opens doors to these firms, often leading to accelerated interview processes and job offers. During the conference, students can secure interviews for coveted positions, giving them a head start on post-MBA careers.
Attending ROMBA was a transformative experience for me. Not only did I volunteer, helping with ticketing and registration, but I also had the privilege of being a student speaker, where I shared my journey to business school and how my LGBTQ+ identity has shaped my professional ambitions. I made lasting friendships with students from top programs like Tepper, Wharton, GSB, Haas, and George Washington, all of whom remain integral parts of my personal and professional life today.
ROMBA also helped me kickstart my career in a meaningful way. I had multiple early interviews at the conference and ultimately chose to pursue a Product Marketing role in MedTech at Johnson & Johnson. The experience was simply, amazing, and I’m excited to be returning full-time after graduation.
