Sophia Lochner
Sophia Lochner, Full-Time MBA Class of 2027
Recipient of the INTEGRITY Core Value Award | Forté Fellow | Aspiring Healthcare & Consulting Leader 
What industries, functions, or roles are you most interested in pursuing for your internship and beyond?
I’m most interested in pursuing roles in the healthcare industry or in healthcare consulting. However, I’m keeping an open mind when it comes to functions and industry segments, since I know I’ll be exposed to new areas at Kenan-Flagler!
What drew you to choose UNC Kenan-Flagler for your MBA?
I was primarily drawn to UNC Kenan-Flagler because of the strong academic and professional support for those pursuing roles in the healthcare industry. However, UNC Kenan-Flagler also stuck out to me because of the kind, driven, and collaborative nature of its students, staff, and faculty.
What’s been the most meaningful or memorable experience so far in your first year (class, project, club, recruiting, etc.)?
The most meaningful experience so far was actually back in May when I attended the Forté Leadership Conference with other UNC Kenan-Flagler Forté Fellows. It was a fantastic opportunity to get to know some of my current classmates before the start of the school year, while learning from incredibly talented panelists and industry leaders.
How have your classes, MBA Career Services, or peers helped you prepare for recruiting and internship search?
MBA Career Services was incredibly helpful when it came to preparing me for the pre-MBA conference experience. They helped me not only with resume polishing, but also with planning my approach for the pre-MBA conference as someone who is pivoting industries.
What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
In the long-term I would love to work with healthcare providers to investigate how healthcare systems can become more resilient to climate change and natural disasters. The intersection between climate and access to healthcare is extremely interesting to me, and something that I think will become more and more prevalent in the coming years. In the short-term my goal is to build up my healthcare industry knowledge and develop my leadership skill set, since I am pivoting from a non-healthcare background.
What’s one lesson or insight you’ve gained during your first year that you think will carry you forward in your MBA journey?
Although it is still early on in the academic year, one insight I’ve gained is to learn from your fellow MBA students! Everyone is coming from slightly different backgrounds and industries, so it has been wonderful learning about their experiences and perspectives.
| Originally published on October 21, 2025 | Return to the main Spotlight Series page. |