Joshua Balba ’26

Before coming to Yale SOM, I spent several years serving in the military. After graduating from West Point, I trained in Georgia, led air defense missions across Europe, and later worked on modernizing the Army’s HR systems at the Pentagon. As I transition from the military, I’m focused on building a career that’s not only successful but also meaningful and aligned with my values. I chose to pursue an MBA to complement my leadership experience with business acumen, and SOM stood out to me because it draws people who truly believe in its mission to educate leaders for business and society. Being surrounded by such thoughtful and passionate peers has been incredibly inspiring.

The integrated core curriculum and the insights from my 70 cohort-mates have completely reshaped how I view business. Our classroom is a melting pot of perspectives, with students from all over the world. I’ve learned from nonprofit leaders with fresh takes on value creation and ex-consultants with sharp problem-solving frameworks. This environment of shared learning and collaboration has significantly broadened how I approach leadership and strategy in a global context.

SOM’s international offerings also played a big role in my decision to attend. I’m strongly considering building a career in the UK, and this fall I’ll be studying abroad at London Business School to deepen my connections and exposure there.

I served as a first-year leader of the Southeast Asia Club. As a Filipino American, it’s been a meaningful way to connect with SOM’s vibrant Southeast Asian community and celebrate our culture with classmates. I’m also active in the Veterans Club, which links up with other veteran groups across Yale.

One of my favorite memories so far has been the annual Internship Fund auction, which helps support classmates taking nonprofit internships over the summer. Students, professors, and alumni donated items and experiences for others to bid on. It was a memorable night that raised thousands, plus my friends and I even won a cocktail evening hosted by one of our professors!