Meet The MBA Class of 2025: Sebastian Varela-Garcia, The UCL School Of Management by: Meghan Marrin on June 26, 2024 | 81 Views June 26, 2024 Copy Link Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email Share on LinkedIn Share on WhatsApp Share on Reddit Sebastian Varela-Garcia “Global sustainability strategist transforming businesses with purpose, avid golfer, mental health advocate, and Colombian world citizen” Hometown: Bogota, Colombia, but have lived in London for the past 12 years Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve mastered the art of not paying for hotels, thanks to my worldwide network of friends from my international studies and career Undergraduate School and Major: Hult International Business School – Bachelors of Business Administration Most Recent Employer and Job Title: BIP UK, Sustainability Manager What has been the biggest accomplishment in your career so far? Guiding stubborn businesses in serious transformation to become forces for good, revolutionizing their core practices for sustainability. When you think of your school, what is the first word that comes to mind? International and diverse – With so many smart people with different backgrounds even the smallest of discussions becomes a very interesting moment of learning. What are one or two key aspects of this program that led you to choose the program, and why were they so important to you? UCL’s MBA caters to busy professionals, enabling immediate application of learnings in real-world settings. Its diverse cohort enriches the experience, balancing career continuity with academic growth. What course, club, activity, or experience excites you the most and why? I’m lucky to be in London, engaging with UCL societies and representing them in Karting and Golf. Competing against UK universities is particularly gratifying, even in snow or ice—here, there are no excuses. What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to other prospective MBAs? Do yourself a favor by incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine— Headspace is an excellent app that can transform your life and enhance your presence. Additionally, HBR Ideacast is a fantastic resource for gaining valuable insights and perspectives that complement your MBA journey. What are two things you have learned that have surprised you so far – one academic and one non-academic? Academically, I was intrigued to confirm the counterintuitive principle that businesses can increase profits by focusing on sustainability, not just traditional profit-driven strategies. This shift towards value-based business models shows that doing good can also be good for the bottom line. Non-academically, I learned about the concept of ‘psychological safety’ in the workplace, where employees feel safe to take risks and express their ideas without fear of punishment or humiliation. Sounds obvious but this environment often leads to greater innovation and productivity, illustrating the profound impact of workplace culture on performance. What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into your MBA program? Be authentic when it comes to interviewing. CLICK HERE TO MEET THE MBA CLASS OF 2025 FROM THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT