Full-Time MBA Student Profile Inside Life at Booth: Meet Camila Parra Ochoa, HABSA Co-Chair

Camila was born in Colombia and grew up in Venezuela, Brazil, Scotland, and eventually Texas. As she moved around a lot, it gave her an opportunity to experience a range of cultures and perspectives. After studying chemical engineering and business at UT Austin, Camila spent five years at ExxonMobil in project planning, process engineering, and production planning. In her last role before starting the MBA, Camila worked as a gasoline production planner at a refinery, leading decisions on how to blend different component streams into gasoline, balancing cost, product quality, and market opportunities.

Camila decided to pursue an MBA because she wanted to build on her engineering and operations background while developing a stronger understanding of finance, strategy, and the commercial decisions that shape a business. Chicago Booth stood out to Camila for its customizable curriculum. She appreciated that Booth would allow her to build upon her skill set and explore different career paths, all within a community that felt like a great fit.

I was born in Colombia, and although I grew up across several countries, being Colombian has always been an important part of my background. HABSA was incredibly welcoming, and I appreciated that people coming from different backgrounds and experiences could find a place within the group. I was also involved with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at UT and the Latino employee network at ExxonMobil, so joining HABSA felt like a natural fit. It quickly became a group I could consistently turn to for connection and support throughout my MBA.

HABSA has a mix of social, professional, and community-building events, from Friendsgiving and our taco crawl to Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations and Mujeres events. As community co-chair, I help organize events that bring people together and give members opportunities to connect throughout the year. We also host recruiting events, help students prepare for casing and interviews, and support applicants through mock interviews and essay prep. There are plenty of ways to get involved, whether you're looking to meet people, explore career opportunities, or help build the community.

La Ultima Fiesta, our end-of-year celebration, has been my favorite HABSA event. It was the first time we organized the celebration, so being part of the planning and then seeing everyone come together made it especially rewarding. I loved that students outside HABSA joined too, making it a celebration that brought together a broader part of the Booth community. We celebrated the 2Ys and wrapped up the year with a night out in Pilsen, which was also a nice way to support a local Chicago neighborhood.

Take the time to understand what you want out of your MBA, then look for a program that gives you the flexibility to pursue those goals. One of the things I appreciate most about Booth is that you can tailor your experience to your interests, whether through coursework, student organizations, or career exploration. I’d also encourage visiting if you can. Chicago is a great city, and seeing Booth’s campus and experiencing the community firsthand can give you a much better sense of whether it’s the right fit for you.

• Camila picked up crocheting recently, and it's become one of her favorite ways to unwind and take a break from school.
• Camila enjoys staying active by taking pilates and barre classes.
• Most importantly, Camila is a proud dog mom to her pup Minnie, who's been her companion throughout the MBA journey. She's a big part of Camila’s life, and some of Camila’s favorite moments are their walks together along the lakefront.