From Sales to Sports: Two Graduating Students on How Babson Shaped Their Paths

Carolina Welch ’26, one of the first women to declare the sports management concentration at Babson College, took the Good Company, Good Game: Law, Ethics, and Leadership in Sports Businesses class in August 2024. Ahead of graduating two years later, she credits the weeklong experience exploring and networking with leaders from the Arthur M. Blank Family Businesses and AMB Sports + Entertainment (AMBSE) as her favorite Babson memory.

“(Associate) Professor Leslie Garbarino allowed each student to moderate a panel with executives and ask questions on behalf of the entire cohort,” Welch says. “Going through this process helped me flourish professionally.”

Garbarino, along with Associate Professor Anjali Bal, pioneered the undergraduate sports management concentration, which became official in Spring 2024. Around the same time, Professor Vincent “Vini” Onyemah saw years of advocacy pay off with the then new undergraduate sales concentration.

COMMENCEMENT 2026: Learn more about Babson’s Commencement ceremonies May 16.

While the Class of 2025 had a few pilot graduates for these concentrations, the Class of 2026 is the first class to graduate with an official cohort of students in each. Tyler Lauder ’26, who also plays on the Babson men’s basketball team, is graduating with a concentration in both. Lauder will work as an associate building envelope analyst for Schernecker Property Services in Needham, Massachusetts, a place he previously interned, after graduation.

“My favorite experiences have been the classes, specifically in my junior and senior year,” Lauder says. “Whether I am learning from AMBSE executives, working with the Babson Professional and Executive Education, or being taught by not only great professors but successful professionals.”

His classmate Welch also shouts out the relationship she has with her professors, Garbarino and Bal specifically: “They have made my Babson experience above and beyond what I had hoped when I first applied.” Welch, who has held marketing internships with an interest in market research and analytics, plans to spend her summer volunteering in her hometown of New Canaan, Connecticut, while considering full-time positions.

Ahead of the 2026 Commencement Ceremony, they both reflected on their time at Babson, including how specific sports and sales-related courses changed how they view their potential career paths.

What is your favorite Babson memory?

Lauder: “I will always cherish winning the NEWMAC men’s basketball championship in Staake Gymnasium my senior year. It was my last ever home game at Babson, playing in front of all my best friends and family. The most packed I have ever seen that gym. Cutting down the nets was a memory I will never forget.”

Welch: “The Atlanta short-term program, Good Company, Good Game. Professor Garbarino pushed us all out of our comfort zones, allowing us to talk to almost 100 high-level executives of AMBSE. My cohort got incredibly close throughout, and it made me grow immensely in my professional life.”

How has Babson prepared you for post-grad life and success?

Lauder: “Time management. Being a student-athlete is difficult—scheduling group work around practice and late nights in the library before and after games. But it also taught me to prioritize my tasks and to make a list then check things off. It’s something I will take with me for the rest of my life.”

Welch: “Many guest speakers at Babson have said, ‘Say yes to everything.’ This phrase would pop up in my head when making career decisions and gave me the encouragement to make as many connections as possible which will help me while going through the job search process.”

Do you have a favorite class?

Lauder: “Customer Acquisitions and Persuasion taught by (Adjunct Lecturer) Nick Gallagher. I had always had an interest in sales, but this class made me realize it’s what I want to pursue. Professor Gallagher made teaching seem easy and made learning very enjoyable.

“I loved how he would not only teach us concepts and techniques but give us real-world examples in actual deals he was a part of. It made the learning seem real and applied. Networking with him also landed me my internship that summer!”

Welch: “Any sports class with Professor Bal and Professor Garbarino. Both want to see their students thrive and be successful, and it was amazing to know I was supported throughout my education process.”

Do you have any advice for incoming first-year students?

Lauder: “Be open to everyone and everything. There are so many special people here at Babson; never write anyone off.”

Welch: “As cliche as it sounds, a phrase that has really stuck with me is ‘the grass is greener where you water it.’ There will inevitably be very busy weeks at Babson, but it is necessary to take care of yourself and the relationships you’ve formed while having long study days or a difficult finals schedule. Being surrounded by supportive people is vital, and ensuring that those friendships are strong will be very helpful throughout college.”

What makes the Class of 2026 special?

Lauder: “The people. My roommates film a podcast called ‘Dorm Room to Board Room’ where they interview Babson students who are still in college and have insane businesses that they are running or a part of. I will sit in on these podcasts, and it really opens my ears to how many special people are at this school and in my grade. This class truly amazes me.”

Welch: “The Class of 2026 is a community of incredibly dedicated and passionate students. We have a wide variety of interests through our class, and many students have a deep appreciation for the sports management concentration being brought to Babson during our time here.”