2015 MBA To Watch: Parsa Sobhani

Parsa Sobhani

 

New York University, Stern School of Business

“Leaders serve” and Parsa Sobhani exemplifies this maxim. During his time at Stern, Sobhani has run the school’s Graduate Finance Association Conference and helped manage the Admitted Students Weekend. For such efforts, he was awarded the Stern Service Award. In addition, Sobhani has served as a teaching fellow in the Brand Strategy and Investment Banking courses. He will begin work as an associate at Barclays after graduation.

Age: 28

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Undergraduate School: UCLA

Undergraduate Degree: B.A. Economics

Where did you work before enrolling in business school? Investment Associate at Mozaic, LLC, a $1.6B AUM investment advisory firm

Where did you intern during the summer of 2014? Barclays, New York City

Where will you be working after graduation? Barclays, Investment Banking Associate

“I knew I wanted to go to business school when…I saw the doors that opened for my superiors with an MBA.”

“If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would be…happily working at my previous employer.” 

What are your long-term professional goals? Solve problems and sell ideas.

Favorite Courses: Valuation, Investment Banking, Brand Strategy, Advanced Strategy, New Venture Financing, Decision Models, Managing the Growing Company, Business Law for Managers (tough to choose!)

Which academic or professional achievements are you most proud of? Academically, being awarded the Kathleen A. Corbet Graduate Fellowship at NYU Stern was a particularly proud achievement, as I am always humbled to be mentioned amongst my peers in an academic context. Professionally, managing a successful campaign for Terry O’Day’s Santa Monica City Council race right after college was a particularly proud moment – I was given my first “real-world” gig, entrusted for my potential and capabilities, and was rewarded with a great mentor.

Who would you most want to thank for your success (and why)? All of my mentors, who took the form of teachers, colleagues, family and friends.  Professionally and personally, they invested their time and effort to guide me in the right direction, cheer me up when I was down, and guide me when I felt lost. In particular, Christopher Zyda, CEO at Mozaic, LLC, was instrumental in supporting my decision to go to b-school, and helping me understand the type of victories and challenges that are associated with a successful career in business.

Why did you choose this business school? Great professors, renowned finance department, engaging student population, all in the greatest city in the world.

What did you enjoy most about business school? Getting to know my classmates on so many different levels – building relationships while in the classroom, working at our internships, traveling around the world (Puerto Rico, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Philippines, and Hong Kong!) and playing on the soccer field has brought life-long friendships that can’t be replaced.

What is your most memorable moment from business school? Celebrating summer offers at the pub across the street from Stern with the group of classmates which whom I had spent my entire winter break preparing for interviews.

Fun fact about yourself: Attended nearly every home and playoff game for the 2008 UCLA Bruins, from Westwood, to Anaheim, to Phoenix, and finally San Antonio for the Final Four.

Favorite book: The Great Gatsby

Favorite movie: Oceans 11

Favorite musical performer: Jarell Perry

Favorite television show: House of Cards

Favorite vacation spot: Davao, Philippines

What are your hobbies? Traveling, playing soccer, piano, watching UCLA sports, exploring New York’s restaurants

Twitter Handle: @psobhani

What made Paras such an invaluable addition to the class of 2015?

“Parsa is a leader. Intelligent, responsive, collaborative, ethical, well rounded person .We expect much from Parsa over his career and are confident that he will deliver.”

– Professor Charles J Murphy, Professor of Management Practice

“Parsa Sobhani has demonstrated exemplary leadership and service to the NYU Stern community, all while pursuing a career in investment banking at Barclays. From his first days in the MBA program, Parsa has focused his attention on improving the experience of his classmates. He has involved himself in a number of volunteer positions from being a Launch Orientation leader, to running the Graduate Finance Association Conference, to spearheading Stern’s three hundred person leadership transition workshop for the MBA1 population. Parsa has truly gone above and beyond the requirements of most students. We are also pleased to announce that he will be receiving a Stern Service Award this year given for his meritorious service to the School, University and community.”

– Diana Hyde, Director, Office of Student Engagement

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH FROM THE CLASS OF 2015