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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</title> <atom:link href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/</link> <description>Fuqua Daytime MBA student perspective</description> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 13:24:35 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2</generator> <image> <url>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/02/cropped-BlueWhiteTextBorderNoTM150-32x32.jpg</url> <title>Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</title> <link>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height></image> <item> <title>Putting People at the Center of the Energy Transition</title> <link>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/05/07/amelia-atencio/putting-people-at-the-center-of-the-energy-transition</link> <comments>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/05/07/amelia-atencio/putting-people-at-the-center-of-the-energy-transition#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Amelia Atencio]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2024 13:24:31 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Careers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Energy & Environment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Classes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[EDGE]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Energy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Industry Insight]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Networking]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Personal Growth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Professional Growth]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/?p=15686</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>I am grateful for learning opportunities like having guest speakers in class and attending conferences to hear from the world’s foremost thought leaders tackling the world’s greatest climate problems. </p><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/05/07/amelia-atencio/putting-people-at-the-center-of-the-energy-transition">Putting People at the Center of the Energy Transition</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>After returning to Fuqua from my <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2023/04/11/ed-bernier/recruiting-at-fuqua-an-inside-look-at-the-first-year-and-internships">summer internship</a> at one of the largest renewable energy developers and best-managed utilities in the country, I found myself reflecting on the value I bring to the table in accelerating the clean energy transition. I wondered: <em>what impact do I want by working in energy? What about this industry compels me to undertake this journey, and what is my role in it</em>? For weeks, I let these questions and many others like them turn over in my mind.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Understanding the Impact of Energy</h3> <p>It was not until our <a href="https://centers.fuqua.duke.edu/edge/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Center for Energy, Development, and the Global Environment</a> (EDGE) Fall Seminar session with GT Hollett and Katherine Bond from Dominion Energy that I realized why working in energy has so much potential for impact. It was a reminder of the roles people—not just technology—can play in accelerating an equitable transition to cleaner, increasingly affordable, and reliable energy. While the discussion and questions from my peers focused heavily on understanding the company’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), Katherine’s work within external affairs tilling the soil in local communities captivated me. </p> <p>By the end of the discussion, we got to the heart of what the work should truly be about: people and ensuring they live a decent life. Energy is the means to that end. Energy is not the end goal, and a clean transition is not the end of the road.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1024" height="640" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Amelia-Atencio-Putting-People-at-the-Center-of-the-Energy-Transition_4-1024x640.jpg" alt="A conference at Harvard Business School" class="wp-image-15698" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Amelia-Atencio-Putting-People-at-the-Center-of-the-Energy-Transition_4-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Amelia-Atencio-Putting-People-at-the-Center-of-the-Energy-Transition_4-300x188.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Amelia-Atencio-Putting-People-at-the-Center-of-the-Energy-Transition_4-768x480.jpg 768w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Amelia-Atencio-Putting-People-at-the-Center-of-the-Energy-Transition_4.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure> <p>When I attended Harvard Business School’s annual Climate Symposium, I heard Stephane Hallegate from The World Bank speak about not just ending poverty or financing the adoption of clean energy technology through pilots, but also increasing livability for the world’s most vulnerable populations. A lunch with a developer in Hawaii with AES reinforced this further. We can’t make progress if we don’t get the communities where we develop projects on board, we need to develop true trust in the communities in which we operate. As Katherine emphasized, we need to do well before we have a project in mind, and we do well for the people who stand to be impacted.</p> <p>All of these insights have left me with a clearer understanding of my own potential for impact—bridging the gap between people and what they care about and need to live meaningful lives. People are empowered by access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy, but there remains a need to scale clean technologies.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Creating My Energy Philosophy</h3> <p>I don’t want to just sit in an office and perform “desktop analysis” limited to my singular understanding of the world or insights written by others. I want my work to have a direct impact on people that can be empowered by clean energy so they can live their most full and joyful lives. Access to energy for vulnerable populations can be the difference between endurance and enjoyment. As I move forward and beyond Fuqua, I will dedicate my career to roles that enables me to use my understanding of energy and voice to put people, not just technology, first in this transition.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="640" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Amelia-Atencio-Putting-People-at-the-Center-of-the-Energy-Transition_3-1024x640.jpg" alt="Daytime MBA student Amelia Atencio presenting at NextEra Energy" class="wp-image-15693" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Amelia-Atencio-Putting-People-at-the-Center-of-the-Energy-Transition_3-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Amelia-Atencio-Putting-People-at-the-Center-of-the-Energy-Transition_3-300x188.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Amelia-Atencio-Putting-People-at-the-Center-of-the-Energy-Transition_3-768x480.jpg 768w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Amelia-Atencio-Putting-People-at-the-Center-of-the-Energy-Transition_3.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure> <p>All of this is to say that I am grateful for learning opportunities like having guest speakers such as Katherine and GT in class and attending conferences to hear from the world’s foremost thought leaders tackling the world’s greatest climate problems. These experiences have challenged me to rethink what truly matters in this transition. While of course, the environment is the focus, it is all in the spirit of preserving a high quality of life for all of the planet’s inhabitants. To advance technology and markets in pursuit of a cleaner world, we must galvanize and empower people by learning about what matters most to them.</p> <p>For the longest time I tried to find a singular thing that united people but realizing that what unites people is not a simple physical attribute or object, it is the right to a livable planet.</p><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/05/07/amelia-atencio/putting-people-at-the-center-of-the-energy-transition">Putting People at the Center of the Energy Transition</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/05/07/amelia-atencio/putting-people-at-the-center-of-the-energy-transition/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Making Fuqua My Home and Bringing Fuqua Home with Me</title> <link>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/30/saki-kudo/making-fuqua-my-home-and-bringing-fuqua-home-with-me</link> <comments>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/30/saki-kudo/making-fuqua-my-home-and-bringing-fuqua-home-with-me#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Saki Kudo]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2024 12:41:32 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Community]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Life at Fuqua]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Classmates]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Diversity]]></category> <category><![CDATA[International]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Personal Growth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Team Fuqua]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/?p=15645</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>While I initially struggled to build a strong community at Fuqua, I eventually found my home here.</p><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/30/saki-kudo/making-fuqua-my-home-and-bringing-fuqua-home-with-me">Making Fuqua My Home and Bringing Fuqua Home with Me</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As an <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2017/12/21/shari-hubert/how-fuqua-welcomes-and-supports-our-international-students">international student</a>, I initially struggled to build a strong community at Fuqua. I am a curious person who seeks more personal connections. In the beginning, the difficulty in finding a balance between thinking about how people might view me and doing what I wanted made me a bit nervous. I was afraid of both being seen as a “stereotypical Asian” and putting too much pressure on myself to try something even if it made me uncomfortable. Eventually, I built a home at Fuqua and wanted to share my authentic self with my new community.</p> <p>Here are some strategies that helped me find my place:</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. Connecting with my Section Mates</h3> <p>For first-year students, our sections are our home base. When I was nervous about presentations and participation in the discussions, I made an effort to get to know my section mates. Don’t be stressed about immediately getting to know them deeply, but having an interest in knowing them is a good start. This helped me feel more comfortable participating in class discussions</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. Being My True Self</h3> <p>In the beginning, I was hesitant to fully be myself, fearing I might be seen as “weird.” I love golf, cooking, and basketball, but always stopped myself not to doing those things. My golf score is not good, I cannot cook very fancy meals, and I’m too short to play basketball. However, my friends encouraged me to pursue my interests regardless of my skill level. Letting my true self shine helped me feel at home.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3. Embracing New Experiences</h3> <p>Trying new things and adapting to different cultures with my friends was a bonding experience. From a big birthday party hosted with other international students in the summer term to camping out for <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2019/02/26/morgan-griffin/how-duke-basketball-helps-shape-the-student-experience">Duke basketball</a> tickets, playing golf every week, we have experienced countless social and sports events together. A sushi lunch tradition starting in our first year is now the most important event for my friends and me. I learned that if I wanted to do something, I shouldn’t just wait to be invited but to start it myself.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Saki-Kudo-Making-Fuqua-My-Home-and-Bringing-Fuqua-Home-with-Me_2.jpg" alt="A group of students dressed in wedding attire, a historic building and mountain range in the background" class="wp-image-15649" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Saki-Kudo-Making-Fuqua-My-Home-and-Bringing-Fuqua-Home-with-Me_2.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Saki-Kudo-Making-Fuqua-My-Home-and-Bringing-Fuqua-Home-with-Me_2-300x225.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Saki-Kudo-Making-Fuqua-My-Home-and-Bringing-Fuqua-Home-with-Me_2-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Celebrating a friend’s wedding in Mexico</figcaption></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Giving Back to My Community</h2> <p>As I built more friendships, many of my peers expressed interest in visiting my home country of Japan. But they needed support to do so. Asia is far from the U.S., we are in the opposite time zone, and the language and culture are different. I could easily empathize with their concerns, but I imagined how fantastic if I could travel with all of my friends in my country. </p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Saki-Kudo-Making-Fuqua-My-Home-and-Bringing-Fuqua-Home-with-Me_4.jpg" alt="Group photo of dozens of students in Japan, someone in the center of the group is holding a white and blue Fuqua flag" class="wp-image-15651" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Saki-Kudo-Making-Fuqua-My-Home-and-Bringing-Fuqua-Home-with-Me_4.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Saki-Kudo-Making-Fuqua-My-Home-and-Bringing-Fuqua-Home-with-Me_4-300x225.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Saki-Kudo-Making-Fuqua-My-Home-and-Bringing-Fuqua-Home-with-Me_4-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">One stop on our Japan trek</figcaption></figure> <p>Seeing an opportunity to give back to the Fuqua community that had supported me, I decided to plan a winter break trek to Japan. The experience gave me valuable insights, teaching me more about my friends and myself. This is what I learned:</p> <ul><li><strong>My friends’ interests and enjoyment sometimes differed from my expectations.</strong> I have traveled within my country many times and am familiar with major must-sees for tourists, but my friends are good at finding something new and funny. Following their lead introduced me to new perspectives on experiencing my home country.</li></ul> <ul><li><strong>Team Fuqua is always Team Fuqua</strong>. Before and during the trek, many people showed they cared about my experience and asked if there were any ways they could help. From assistance coordinating karaoke to ordering drinks in Japanese, I am so thankful for my friends who stepped up on the trek! Another memorable moment for me was receiving the surprise gift they had gotten for me as the trek leader. Having a loyal community to lean on is my favorite thing about <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2018/04/09/bill-boulding/what-is-team-fuqua">Team Fuqua</a>.</li></ul> <ul><li><strong>Most importantly, I learned that balancing the needs and preferences of a diverse group is challenging. </strong>There is no simple solution, but this hands-on experience taught me valuable lessons about leading a team with various cultural backgrounds and individual preferences.</li></ul> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Saki-Kudo-Making-Fuqua-My-Home-and-Bringing-Fuqua-Home-with-Me_3.jpg" alt="A group of people sitting a table in a restaurant in Japan" class="wp-image-15650" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Saki-Kudo-Making-Fuqua-My-Home-and-Bringing-Fuqua-Home-with-Me_3.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Saki-Kudo-Making-Fuqua-My-Home-and-Bringing-Fuqua-Home-with-Me_3-300x225.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Saki-Kudo-Making-Fuqua-My-Home-and-Bringing-Fuqua-Home-with-Me_3-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sukiyaki dinner with my section mates in Japan</figcaption></figure> <p>Overall, the trek was an opportunity for me to give back to the Fuqua community that had supported me, while also learning how to navigate cross-cultural experiences as a future leader.</p><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/30/saki-kudo/making-fuqua-my-home-and-bringing-fuqua-home-with-me">Making Fuqua My Home and Bringing Fuqua Home with Me</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/30/saki-kudo/making-fuqua-my-home-and-bringing-fuqua-home-with-me/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Sharing Our 25 Random Things</title> <link>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/23/caleb-walker/sharing-our-25-random-things</link> <comments>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/23/caleb-walker/sharing-our-25-random-things#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Caleb Walker]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2024 12:11:48 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Admissions]]></category> <category><![CDATA[25 Random Things]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Admissions Application]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Admissions Essays]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Admissions Process]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/?p=15623</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>As students at Fuqua, we embrace what makes us unique.</p><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/23/caleb-walker/sharing-our-25-random-things">Sharing Our 25 Random Things</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As students at Fuqua, we embrace what makes us unique. The “25 Random Things” essay is an opportunity to step back from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GMZudvi8_Y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interviews</a>, test scores, and resumes and reflect on our authentic selves. Beyond becoming a well-known piece of Fuqua’s <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2023/01/06/jessica-brown/a-video-guide-to-the-daytime-mba-application">admission process</a>, the “random things” essay is an essential step in helping the Admissions team get to know us better. </p> <p>Here are just a handful of the things that make us who we <em>really </em>are.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Caleb-Walker-Random-things.jpg" alt="Caleb Walker with his wife on their wedding night, they are sitting/kneeling in front of a neon sign reading "the walkers"" class="wp-image-15639" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Caleb-Walker-Random-things.jpg 1000w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Caleb-Walker-Random-things-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Caleb-Walker-Random-things-200x200.jpg 200w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Caleb-Walker-Random-things-768x768.jpg 768w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Caleb-Walker-Random-things-356x356.jpg 356w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Caleb Walker</h3> <ol><li>Working at Ally, I had a crush on a girl who worked on the 11th floor. We both volunteered for the 2017 Pride parade and spent the day together. That girl is now my wife.</li> <li>My favorite tattoo is a small cartoon banana on the inside of my right elbow. It’s a reminder not to take myself too seriously.</li> <li>Photography is a hobby I’ve wanted to explore since high school. I bought a Nikon after college. I’ve since sold photos of Iceland and solar eclipses and have eight hanging throughout my apartment.</li> <li>Hoseya is a boy from Rwanda I’ve sponsored through Compassion International for five years. I became inspired after reading about President George H.W. Bush’s sponsorship following his passing.</li> <li>I like to step out of my comfort zone. At 13, I learned to sing on a whim. I joined my school’s beginner’s choral group and continued to earn a spot in their honors group and the all-state champion’s choir.</li></ol> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1000" height="1000" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_2.jpg" alt="Julianne Dahlman wearing a U.S. Navy uniform, a ship is in the background" class="wp-image-15627" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_2.jpg 1000w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_2-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_2-200x200.jpg 200w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_2-768x768.jpg 768w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_2-356x356.jpg 356w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Julianne Dahlman</h3> <ol><li>Since 2018, I have logged 2024 hours driving a warship across a distance equal to eight times the Earth’s circumference (roughly 200,000 miles) and have operated with Japanese, South Korean, Australian, Canadian, Singaporean, Indian, Thai, and Filipino navies.</li> <li>I have 32,555 photos on my phone and thousands more on my camera. My Pops (Grandpa) and my mom grew up loving photography and passed their passion along to me.</li> <li>The most beautiful sunrise I have ever seen was from the summit of Mount Fuji.</li> <li>I am extremely defensive about South Carolina barbecue sauce. North Carolina may have good barbecue, but nothing will beat the spicy yet tangy taste of South Carolina’s mustard-based sauce!</li> <li>I am a huge movie buff. I recite President Whitmore’s speech from <em>Independence Day</em> every Fourth of July from memory. It’s my go-to party trick! Alongside my passion for movies, I love soundtrack music. From Hans Zimmer to John Williams, I can recognize hundreds of tracks within seconds of the introduction.</li></ol> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1000" height="1000" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_3.jpg" alt="Kiara Cooper with her father and young sibling" class="wp-image-15628" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_3.jpg 1000w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_3-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_3-200x200.jpg 200w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_3-768x768.jpg 768w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_3-356x356.jpg 356w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Kiara Cooper</h3> <ol><li>Every Saturday during football season, you will find me cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs, a team I have been a fan of my entire life. My father was a middle linebacker at UGA in 1997. </li> <li>I have an irrational fear of ants after accidentally stepping on a fire ant mound during my ninth birthday party.</li> <li>I was fortunate enough to know my great-great and great-grandmothers for the first 13 years of my life. Family is a huge part of my life, and I will always cherish being able to be close to the four generations above me. </li> <li>In a friendly, childhood competition, I was runner-up in a Ms. Pac-Man tournament. This made me extremely competitive in all arcade and board games, and even inspired me to purchase a miniature Pac-Man machine as an adult</li> <li>I have three half-sisters, who just turned 5, 3 and 1 years old. After growing up an only child, learning how to be an older sibling, long-distance, has been an adventure.</li></ol> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1000" height="1000" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_4.jpg" alt="Louis Wu in Washington, D.C., snow is on the ground behind him" class="wp-image-15624" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_4.jpg 1000w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_4-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_4-200x200.jpg 200w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_4-768x768.jpg 768w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_4-356x356.jpg 356w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Louis Wu</h3> <ol><li>I share a birthday with one of my best friends. Each year, he likes to remind me that he’s older than me since he was born three hours earlier.</li> <li>I’m a huge Pokémon fan. I still have my original cards from 20 years ago.</li> <li>I haven’t had a sip of anything caffeinated in more than 7 years.</li> <li>I’m also lactose intolerant, but I regularly push the boundaries and limits.</li> <li>My grandmother was one of 15 siblings.</li></ol> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1000" height="1000" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_5.jpg" alt="Queen Nwokonneya sitting on stairs in front of a home" class="wp-image-15625" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_5.jpg 1000w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_5-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_5-200x200.jpg 200w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_5-768x768.jpg 768w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Daytime-Random-Things-2024_5-356x356.jpg 356w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Queen Nwokonneya</h3> <ol><li>My mom is my biggest inspiration. As a banker raising three kids, she taught me the value of resilience and that women can have it all—the career, the family, the life. This remains my mantra to this day.</li> <li>I took a spontaneous trip to Mahe Island in Seychelles and stayed at the same resort where Ian Fleming got the inspiration for the James Bond novel “For Your Eyes Only.”</li> <li>I was featured in a music video after attending an Afrobeats concert in London.</li> <li>I almost got lost driving a quad bike through the red sand dunes and desert terrains in Dubai.</li> <li>I am a massive Harry Potter fan. I also share a peculiar scar on my forehead. I have a passport cover which says, “<em>Travelling to Hogwarts. If found, please return to Platform 9¾.” </em>It makes me believe I am always on a magical journey.</li></ol><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/23/caleb-walker/sharing-our-25-random-things">Sharing Our 25 Random Things</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/23/caleb-walker/sharing-our-25-random-things/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Consulting to Marketing: My Career Pivot</title> <link>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/16/anandi-rahman/consulting-to-marketing-my-career-pivot</link> <comments>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/16/anandi-rahman/consulting-to-marketing-my-career-pivot#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Anandi Rahman]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2024 12:35:11 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Careers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Career Change]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Career Resources]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Experiential Learning]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Faculty]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Job Search]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Professional Growth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Recruiting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Student Clubs]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/?p=15592</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>When I was applying to business schools, I knew that one of the main reasons I was getting an MBA was to pivot into marketing.</p><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/16/anandi-rahman/consulting-to-marketing-my-career-pivot">Consulting to Marketing: My Career Pivot</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Just three years ago, when I was applying to business schools, I knew that one of the main reasons I was getting an MBA was to pivot into marketing. What I didn’t realize then was that Fuqua would help me achieve this goal, while also providing opportunities to help my classmates and pursue other interests.</p> <p>Having grown up all over the world, primarily in England and Switzerland, and now having lived in the U.S. for 10 years, I’ve always loved learning about the nature of businesses across different markets. Fascinated by Macroeconomics 101 in undergrad, I majored in economics at the University of Virginia. Right after graduation, I started my career in consulting and advisory in Washington, D.C.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Start of My Consulting Career</h3> <p>I had an incredible opportunity to consult Chief Privacy Officers on privacy challenges while at Gartner and work with case teams on top strategic challenges faced by CEOs of Fortune 500 companies during my time at Bain. After five years in the industry, I realized I loved strategy and problem-solving for clients, especially consumer packaged goods (CPG) and retail companies. Still, I wanted more ownership and direct impact on the brands and consumers than I could achieve from an external standpoint.</p> <p>That’s when I realized I wanted to work for the companies we consulted for and wanted to pursue a career in marketing, particularly <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2023/12/05/julia-liu/how-fuqua-helped-me-pivot-into-brand-management">brand management</a> after getting an MBA. Brand management perfectly combined my interests in consumer behavior, strategy, data analytics, and creative thinking. It was a no-brainer that Fuqua was the perfect choice given not only its marketing strengths and connections.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Fuqua’s Marketing Expertise & Resources</h3> <p>Fast forward a few years later, and I’m grateful for the support, mentorship, and resources I’ve received at Fuqua, especially through the <a href="https://www.dukembamarketingclub.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duke MBA Marketing Club</a>. With this help, I secured multiple internship offers during my first year, eventually deciding to spend the summer working as a Senior Brand Manager with P&G Ventures, the company’s startup accelerator.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Anandi-Rahman-Consulting-to-Marketing_My-Career-Pivot_1.jpg" alt="Anandi Rahman, an MBA student at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, stands in front of P&G sign" class="wp-image-15596" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Anandi-Rahman-Consulting-to-Marketing_My-Career-Pivot_1.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Anandi-Rahman-Consulting-to-Marketing_My-Career-Pivot_1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Anandi-Rahman-Consulting-to-Marketing_My-Career-Pivot_1-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">First day of my internship at P&G headquarters in Cincinnati</figcaption></figure> <p>Here are the resources I leveraged at Fuqua to make a successful pivot into marketing:</p> <ul><li><strong>Marketing Club:</strong> The marketing club prepared me extremely well for recruiting with several events, including the Marketing Symposium. At this flagship event, top CPG companies are invited to campus to talk to students about career opportunities. Then there’s also Marketing Integrated Learning Experience (MILE) – a six-session recruiting and interview prep series held throughout the Fall semester. MILE helps students prepare for applications, coffee chats, and interviews. Lastly, the club’s strong <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2023/06/20/louis-attilio-fierro/partnering-with-alumni-to-create-new-opportunities-for-students">alumni</a> network was very helpful as I learned a lot during my networking conversations with Fuqua alum who have successful careers in marketing.</li></ul> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/bloggers/louis-attilio-fierro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="640" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Anandi-Rahman_1-1024x640.jpg" alt="Greg Lyons, the Chief Marketing Officer of PepsiCo Beverages North America (PBNA), and he presented on innovating at Pepsi. We have me and Louis Fierro on the right-hand side (outgoing Marketing Club Presidents) and Eric Kirkpatrick and Ellie Baumgartner, the new incoming club presidents on the left-hand side." class="wp-image-15610" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Anandi-Rahman_1-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Anandi-Rahman_1-300x188.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Anandi-Rahman_1-768x480.jpg 768w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Anandi-Rahman_1.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The marketing club hosts Greg Lyons, Chief Marketing Officer of PepsiCo Beverages North America (PBNA) for a presentation on innovating at Pepsi. (From left to right: Eric Kirkpatrick, Ellie Baumgartner, Lyons, <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/bloggers/louis-attilio-fierro">Louis Fierro</a>, me)</figcaption></figure> <ul><li><strong>Marketing Faculty and Classes:</strong> Fuqua has a variety of helpful marketing electives that helped me understand the challenges brands face with regard to new product launches, pricing, and marketing campaigns. Such classes included Strategy & Tactics of Pricing taught by Professor <a href="https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/faculty/wilfred-amaldoss" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wilfred Amaldoss</a> and Market Research by Professor <a href="https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/faculty/tanya-chartrand">Tanya Chartrand</a>. I’ve also really enjoyed learning from marketing Professors <a href="https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/faculty/keisha-cutright" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Keisha Cutright</a> and <a href="https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/faculty/jordan-etkin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jordan Etkin</a>, who teach the core marketing class and helped me think through my internship offers.</li> <li><strong>Second-Year Mentors:</strong> My second-year marketing club buddy (assigned through the club’s mentorship program), Sophia Zheng, also played a key role in my recruiting journey. Sophia was a constant source of support and inspiration, and she helped me navigate the difficult parts of recruiting. She’s a true embodiment of the <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2018/04/09/bill-boulding/what-is-team-fuqua">Team Fuqua</a> spirit.</li> <li><strong>Career Management Center:</strong> The <a href="https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/programs/daytime-mba/career-development" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Career Management Center</a> (CMC) Sector Director for Consumer Goods & Retail, <a href="https://www.dukembamarketingclub.com/prospective-students" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shawn Pulscher</a> has many years of experience working in brand management. He helped me prepare for interviews and negotiate my compensation for my offers.</li></ul> <p>These resources were instrumental in landing my summer internship, where I helped develop a three-year organic growth strategy for an underperforming product line for a brand at P&G. As a result, I decided to pay it forward during my second year as a co-president of the marketing club. It has been so rewarding to help students better understand what a career in marketing entails, help guide the future marketing careers of both first-year and second-year students, and educate prospective students about Fuqua’s marketing resources.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Anandi-Rahman-Consulting-to-Marketing_My-Career-Pivot_2.jpg" alt="Louis Fierro and Anandi Rahman, MBA students at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business" class="wp-image-15597" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Anandi-Rahman-Consulting-to-Marketing_My-Career-Pivot_2.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Anandi-Rahman-Consulting-to-Marketing_My-Career-Pivot_2-300x225.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Anandi-Rahman-Consulting-to-Marketing_My-Career-Pivot_2-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Louis (my co-president) and I after organizing the Marketing Symposium, the marketing club’s flagship event for the year</figcaption></figure> <p>Additionally, I’ve also given back as the VP of Marketing for The Fuqua Show, a Fuqua student-run podcast, which captures the lessons and stories of amazing members of the Fuqua community. This has also been an amazing leadership role that allowed me to help expand our reach and learn more about the unique journeys of our amazing classmates, faculty, and alumni.</p> <p>This summer, I will begin my career with a full-time position as Associate Brand Manager at Mars, working in their headquarters in New Jersey. While I’m excited about my future in marketing, I’m thankful that my time at Fuqua has allowed me opportunities in venture capital. In my next blog, I reflect on a spring internship with a VC firm in <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/01/09/louis-attilio-fierro/from-food-to-entertainment-my-guide-to-a-weekend-in-durham">Durham</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/16/anandi-rahman/consulting-to-marketing-my-career-pivot">Consulting to Marketing: My Career Pivot</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/16/anandi-rahman/consulting-to-marketing-my-career-pivot/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Developing as a Leader Through a Strong Network of Women</title> <link>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/09/rhea-philip/developing-as-a-leader-through-a-strong-network-of-women</link> <comments>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/09/rhea-philip/developing-as-a-leader-through-a-strong-network-of-women#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Rhea Philip]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 09 Apr 2024 12:48:55 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Learning]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Community]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Conferences]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fuqua/Coach K Center on Leadership and Ethics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Impact Scholar]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Networking]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Personal Growth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Women in Business]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/?p=15576</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Your Fuqua experience is all about what you put into it. </p><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/09/rhea-philip/developing-as-a-leader-through-a-strong-network-of-women">Developing as a Leader Through a Strong Network of Women</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>My introduction to the world of ethical leadership came through a fascinating read—”The Ethical Capitalist: How to Make Business Work Better for Society.” It sparked a fire in me to become a leader who not only is empathetic but practices ethical capitalism, believing in the positive force that businesses can be.</p> <p>When I applied to Fuqua, I made it clear in my application that I aimed to find the sweet spot between business profitability and social good. Now, nearly halfway through my MBA, I’m eager to spill the beans on the leadership lessons I’ve gathered.</p> <p><strong>My mentor once shared with me a golden rule for leading teams: <em>Compliment in public, criticize in private.</em> </strong></p> <p>In essence, this means expressing positive feedback openly in a public setting, while addressing constructive criticism or negative feedback in private to avoid public scrutiny. It’s become my secret sauce for boosting team morale and productivity. Choosing a school that could nurture my growth in leadership was intentional. Now, let me give you a sneak peek into two standout experiences that have shaped my Fuqua journey—being a <a href="https://centers.fuqua.duke.edu/cole/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fuqua/Coach K Center on Leadership and Ethics</a> (COLE) impact scholar and coordinating the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3q4rtBRBW4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Investing in Women Conference</a>.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">COLE Impact Scholar Journey</h3> <p>Becoming an impact scholar was like getting a backstage pass to COLE. Chatting with Tom Allin, the faculty advisor for COLE Fellows, was an opportunity to lay out my leadership goals. But the real game-changer was a spontaneous 1.5-hour chat with <a href="https://centers.fuqua.duke.edu/cole/team_profiles/sanyin-siang/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sanyin Siang</a>, the executive director of COLE. What started as a casual conversation about my background, leadership interests, and MBA goals turned into a profound connection. Little did I know, Sanyin would become my go-to person for connecting with the right folks for the Investing in Women Conference.</p> <p><strong>This taught me a second invaluable leadership lesson<em>: Don’t hesitate to ask for what you want when building your network. Instead of waiting to be approached, be fearless in using your voice.</em></strong></p> <p>As part of the COLE impact scholars and fellows, I had a front-row seat to the virtual COLE advisory board and Distinguished Fellows meeting. Picture this: diving into topics like resilience and the art of listening on Zoom calls with leaders from e.l.f Beauty, Goldman Sachs, and retired Army leadership. I was blown away by the humility of these leaders, taking a precious hour from their busy schedules to share candid experiences with us. Talk about an intimate experience!</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="640" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Rhea-Philip-Developing-as-a-Leader-Through-a-Strong-Network-of-Women_2-1024x640.jpg" alt="COLE Resilience Wall posted to wall surrounded by post-it notes" class="wp-image-15579" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Rhea-Philip-Developing-as-a-Leader-Through-a-Strong-Network-of-Women_2-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Rhea-Philip-Developing-as-a-Leader-Through-a-Strong-Network-of-Women_2-300x188.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Rhea-Philip-Developing-as-a-Leader-Through-a-Strong-Network-of-Women_2-768x480.jpg 768w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Rhea-Philip-Developing-as-a-Leader-Through-a-Strong-Network-of-Women_2.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">COLE’s Resilience Wall shows students that they are not alone as they face adversity</figcaption></figure> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Investing in Women Conference</h3> <p>Organizing the Investing in Women Conference was one of the best extracurricular adventures I’ve had at Fuqua so far. I started gearing up for this back in October 2023, and it was a rollercoaster until February 21st, 2024. With a goal of bringing back Duke/Fuqua <a href="https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/alumni#/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alumni</a> and showcasing the Fuqua network, our planning committee received an unreal level of support from faculty, administration, and fellow students.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="640" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Rhea-Philip-Developing-as-a-Leader-Through-a-Strong-Network-of-Women_3-1024x640.jpg" alt="Four women speak on a panel during the Investing in Women Conference at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business" class="wp-image-15580" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Rhea-Philip-Developing-as-a-Leader-Through-a-Strong-Network-of-Women_3-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Rhea-Philip-Developing-as-a-Leader-Through-a-Strong-Network-of-Women_3-300x188.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Rhea-Philip-Developing-as-a-Leader-Through-a-Strong-Network-of-Women_3-768x480.jpg 768w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Rhea-Philip-Developing-as-a-Leader-Through-a-Strong-Network-of-Women_3.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">One of the several panel discussions at the Investing in Women Conference</figcaption></figure> <p>We had a stellar lineup—25 speakers, including 10 female CEOs, as well as several heavy hitters in leadership, authors, and an angel investor. Panels covered everything from venture capital to sports leadership. The event included a virtual fireside chat with the CEO and CFO of e.l.f. Beauty! For the first time ever, we hosted a sports leadership panel with CEOs from North Carolina Courage and Wasserman. Oh, and to add a little morning boost for the attendees, we supported a female-owned local business.</p> <p>Danielle Squires, Duke alumna and head of diverse segments at Wells Fargo, also taught us a new acronym: H-A-S-U (Hook A Sister Up). In a professional sense, this means that if you find yourself in a fortunate position where you’re turning down opportunities, pay it forward by bringing forth those opportunities to deserving women or individuals in your network.</p> <p><strong>This brings me to a third leadership lesson:<em> Say yes to opportunities because you never know where they might lead!</em></strong></p> <p>When I started at Fuqua, planning a mega-conference was not on my radar. But guess what? Your Fuqua experience is all about what you put into it. And let me tell you, it’s not just about classes—it’s about the friendships and relationships that bloom along the way. The Investing in Women Conference was more than an event; it was a catalyst for <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2023/09/26/stephanie-blair/how-my-classmates-empowered-me-to-be-a-leader">meaningful connections</a> and personal growth. I will also be practicing a lot of HASU. The journey at Fuqua has only just begun!</p><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/09/rhea-philip/developing-as-a-leader-through-a-strong-network-of-women">Developing as a Leader Through a Strong Network of Women</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/09/rhea-philip/developing-as-a-leader-through-a-strong-network-of-women/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Using the Power of Improv to Achieve My Goals</title> <link>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/02/madina-kabore/using-the-power-of-improv-to-achieve-my-goals</link> <comments>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/02/madina-kabore/using-the-power-of-improv-to-achieve-my-goals#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Madina Kabore]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 02 Apr 2024 12:46:49 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Experiential]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Learning]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Classes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fun]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Personal Growth]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/?p=15559</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>I went to the class without knowing anything about improvisation. Now, I feel like a whole new person.</p><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/02/madina-kabore/using-the-power-of-improv-to-achieve-my-goals">Using the Power of Improv to Achieve My Goals</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Moving to the U.S. without ever living in an English-speaking country and barely knowing anyone falls right in my philosophy: Dream big and act fearlessly. Already six months into living in <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/01/09/louis-attilio-fierro/from-food-to-entertainment-my-guide-to-a-weekend-in-durham">Durham</a>, I have experienced the craziest things (good and bad) that I wouldn’t have back home. One of my main challenges was understanding how to network, a highly valued skill used here to land a job. I signed up for the Workshop in Managerial Improvisation after learning about it from a friend, telling myself that if I didn’t like it, at least we would go through it together. On the first day of class, I didn’t know what It was about or what to expect.</p> <p>Dean <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/bloggers/steve-misuraca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Steve Misuraca</a> opened the workshop with a speech, and I was excited to start. Professor <a href="https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/faculty/robert-kulhan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bob Kulhan</a> and his team gave us an overview of improvisation with topics that we suggested in the moment. I was impressed and amazed. Then, I thought there was no way that they would teach us to do this in five days. I set two personal goals anyway:</p> <ol><li>To be able to communicate with anyone</li> <li>To overcome my mental barriers and insecurity of not talking because I have an accent and often feel as though I have nothing interesting to say</li></ol> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">“Yes, And…”: The Foundation of Improv</h3> <p>We split into small groups of ten, and my instructor was Bob. We did some exercises that at first were fun, but I was wondering if these were useful for my goals. It wasn’t until later, when the class began working in groups, that I was pushed out of my comfort zone. In my group, we had to discuss a problem and come up with a solution. My fear then came up! Everyone was talking, and that made me feel stuck! I could not say a word. Now I understood why those exercises were important.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Madina-Kabore-Using-the-Power-of-Improv-to-Achieve-My-Goals_3.jpg" alt="Two students doing an improv performance at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business" class="wp-image-15566" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Madina-Kabore-Using-the-Power-of-Improv-to-Achieve-My-Goals_3.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Madina-Kabore-Using-the-Power-of-Improv-to-Achieve-My-Goals_3-300x225.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Madina-Kabore-Using-the-Power-of-Improv-to-Achieve-My-Goals_3-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure> <p>We worked through different improv scenarios, and I struggled. I often couldn’t understand what was going on. I felt stuck and was incapable of making stuff up, even though I knew it didn’t need to make sense.</p> <p>Learning the “yes, and…” concept helped me be friendlier and more engaged in conversations in different settings. I applied “yes, and…” in my communication with some loved ones and was amazed by how I easily avoided conflicts and arguments. I am now aware of how powerful those two words are. They have calmed down my reactive tendency and forced me to have a collaborative mindset, a comprehensive approach, and avoid assumptions about other’s intentions.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Empowering Yourself and Others</h3> <p>On the second day of the workshop, we focused on interactions, building stories, and being part of the improvisation story made up with the team. We also worked on settling arguments and getting what we ask from a figure of authority, friends, or partners. The problem in that interaction is that we can quickly get caught up in a scenario where we either don’t listen or do not care about what’s happening and end up just enduring the interaction. My main takeaway from this lesson was that I have a voice and I am empowered to be who I want in my interactions.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Madina-Kabore-Using-the-Power-of-Improv-to-Achieve-My-Goals_2.jpg" alt="Group of students doing an improv performance at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business" class="wp-image-15567" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Madina-Kabore-Using-the-Power-of-Improv-to-Achieve-My-Goals_2.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Madina-Kabore-Using-the-Power-of-Improv-to-Achieve-My-Goals_2-300x225.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Madina-Kabore-Using-the-Power-of-Improv-to-Achieve-My-Goals_2-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure> <p>In my past working experience as a manager, I was influenced by my environment. When it’s inclusive and people are interested in me, I can be chatty. However, in a new environment or when experiencing a new culture, as I experienced moving to Durham from Paris, I tend to feel like an outsider and isolate myself. At the end of the day, I feel exhausted, out of energy, and not wanting to socialize.</p> <p>I gladly learned from the improv class that energy is contagious. Right away, I began applying that principle to networking events and even daily with anyone I met, wherever. I notice two results, either people talk to me with a smile and interest or they ignore me. Either way, I don’t feel exhausted from interacting with people at the end of the day.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Diverge: “Postpone Judgement” – Converge: “Judge a Lot”</h3> <p>One of the most important skills I learned in the improvisation class is how to diverge and converge. Diverging means postponing judgment and generating as many ideas as possible, no matter how crazy or silly they are. Converging means judging a lot and selecting the best ideas from the pool of divergent ones. These two processes are essential for creativity and innovation, both in work and in life. I plan to use this concept to stimulate my team’s creativity by applying the following steps:</p> <ul><li><strong>Set a clear goal and a time limit:</strong> For example, we want to come up with a new product idea in 15 minutes.</li> <li><strong>Diverge:</strong> Everyone in the team writes down as many ideas as they can on sticky notes, without censoring or criticizing themselves or others. The more diverse and wild the ideas, the better.</li> <li><strong>Converge:</strong> We stick all the ideas on a wall and group them into categories based on similarity or theme. Then we vote on the best ideas from each category and narrow them down to a few finalists.</li> <li><strong>Evaluate:</strong> We narrow down the finalists based on criteria such as feasibility, originality, usefulness, and customer appeal. We choose the winner and celebrate our creativity.</li></ul> <p>By using this concept, I hope to foster a culture of creativity and collaboration with my current Fuqua teams, future work teams and my family. I believe that diverging and converging can help us generate better solutions, have more fun, and grow closer together.</p> <p>While I went to the class without knowing anything about improvisation, now I feel like a whole new person. I can’t wait to see how I will grow as a leader with all these new tools at my disposal.</p><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/02/madina-kabore/using-the-power-of-improv-to-achieve-my-goals">Using the Power of Improv to Achieve My Goals</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/04/02/madina-kabore/using-the-power-of-improv-to-achieve-my-goals/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>How Team Fuqua Assisted My Family’s International Move</title> <link>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/22/xuemei-mao/how-team-fuqua-assisted-my-familys-international-move</link> <comments>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/22/xuemei-mao/how-team-fuqua-assisted-my-familys-international-move#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Xuemei (Coco) Mao]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 2024 12:30:22 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Life at Fuqua]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Asia]]></category> <category><![CDATA[China]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Community]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Family]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fuqua Families]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fuqua Friday]]></category> <category><![CDATA[International]]></category> <category><![CDATA[MBA Moms]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/?p=15508</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Moving from China to the U.S. was a big step for us, especially with two little kids.</p><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/22/xuemei-mao/how-team-fuqua-assisted-my-familys-international-move">How Team Fuqua Assisted My Family’s International Move</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I’ll never forget the moment on October 20, 2022, when we learned that both my husband Eric Li and I had been admitted to Fuqua. We hugged and cheered together with our two kids. My husband and I used to be classmates in junior high, and now we’re classmates again! Fuqua let us relive our campus days, reminding us of when we first met 25 years ago.</p> <p>Moving from China to the U.S. was a big step for us, especially with two little kids, but the information we received during our <a href="https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/programs/daytime-mba/application-instructions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MBA application process</a> with Fuqua made us confident about our decision and the international move that followed.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Preparing for a Life-Changing Move</h3> <p>Before we even left China, we started getting tips about where to live. The <a href="https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/programs/daytime-mba/global-opportunities/international-programs">International Programs Office</a> (IPO) and other students with kids helped us understand our options in <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/01/09/louis-attilio-fierro/from-food-to-entertainment-my-guide-to-a-weekend-in-durham">Durham</a> and Chapel Hill. We found a great apartment in Chapel Hill, about a 20-minute drive from Fuqua. Thanks to advice from second-year students, we also found an elementary school with a dual-language program for our kids. The IPO also suggested some summer camps for our kids, which was a big help while we were busy at the beginning.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="640" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Coco-Mao-How-Team-Fuqua-Assisted-My-Familys-International-Move_2-1024x640.jpg" alt="Eric Li and Coco Mao, both Daytime MBA '25, and their family sitting in the stands at Wallace Wade Stadium during a Duke football game" class="wp-image-15514" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Coco-Mao-How-Team-Fuqua-Assisted-My-Familys-International-Move_2-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Coco-Mao-How-Team-Fuqua-Assisted-My-Familys-International-Move_2-300x188.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Coco-Mao-How-Team-Fuqua-Assisted-My-Familys-International-Move_2-768x480.jpg 768w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Coco-Mao-How-Team-Fuqua-Assisted-My-Familys-International-Move_2.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Our family enjoying a Duke football game</figcaption></figure> <p>That support did not stop when we arrived in the U.S. The IPO and some second-year students helped us with everything from buying a car to getting driver’s licenses, enrolling our kids in school and summer camps, and exploring local places. Everything went smoothly.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Resources for Fuqua Families</h3> <p>The school and community at Fuqua is really supportive of <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2023/04/04/steve-mccarthy/balancing-academics-family-and-fun-while-pursuing-an-mba-with-your-partner">families</a>. They allow spouses to be in the same section, which helps balance family life, especially during the summer and fall of the first year. The “Fuqua Mom” Slack channel and Fuqua Fridays also helped us and our kids make friends quickly with other families.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="640" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Coco-Mao-How-Team-Fuqua-Assisted-My-Familys-International-Move_3-1024x640.jpg" alt="Eric, Daytime MBA '25, and two small children area the front of a line at Fuqua Friday at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business" class="wp-image-15512" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Coco-Mao-How-Team-Fuqua-Assisted-My-Familys-International-Move_3-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Coco-Mao-How-Team-Fuqua-Assisted-My-Familys-International-Move_3-300x188.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Coco-Mao-How-Team-Fuqua-Assisted-My-Familys-International-Move_3-768x480.jpg 768w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Coco-Mao-How-Team-Fuqua-Assisted-My-Familys-International-Move_3.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Eric and our two children at Fuqua Friday</figcaption></figure> <p>My C-LEAD group adjusted meeting times for me, professors were flexible with assignments, and classmates even helped me by taking care of my kids. All of this exemplifies the <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2018/04/09/bill-boulding/what-is-team-fuqua">Team Fuqua</a> spirit and confirms we made the right choice.</p><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/22/xuemei-mao/how-team-fuqua-assisted-my-familys-international-move">How Team Fuqua Assisted My Family’s International Move</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/22/xuemei-mao/how-team-fuqua-assisted-my-familys-international-move/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Knowing Fuqua was the Right Fit for My MBA</title> <link>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/21/ryan-vanslyke/knowing-fuqua-was-the-right-fit-for-my-mba</link> <comments>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/21/ryan-vanslyke/knowing-fuqua-was-the-right-fit-for-my-mba#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ryan Van Slyke]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 2024 00:03:14 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Admissions]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Admissions Process]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Community]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fuqua Culture]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Networking]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Scholarships]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Team Fuqua]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Why Fuqua]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/?p=15525</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>There is so much information available about universities and MBA programs that it can be a bit overwhelming.</p><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/21/ryan-vanslyke/knowing-fuqua-was-the-right-fit-for-my-mba">Knowing Fuqua was the Right Fit for My MBA</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>My decision to pursue an MBA came with a lot of uncertainty. While I knew that I wanted to continue my education, I wasn’t sure what that education would look like. I did not know anyone who had recently graduated from an MBA program, and I had read that B-school culture revolved around drinking alcohol, lavish vacations to far-off destinations, and a myopic focus on profit. The elements of life that bring me the most joy—from time in the mountains to my faith and making music with others—seemed at odds with the B-school norm. As I explained in my <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/02/06/ryan-vanslyke/why-pursuing-an-mba-surprised-even-me">last blog</a>, I was attracted to the versatility of an MBA, but I would need to attend a university whose mission aligned with my values and one where I could bring my whole self.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Deciding Where To Go</h3> <p>There is so much information available about universities and MBA programs that it can be a bit overwhelming. I spent hours poring over school websites, to understand whether the <a href="https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/about/living-our-values" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">values of the school</a> aligned with mine. If the school passed this values test, I dove deeper into their cost of attendance, curriculum, student clubs and organizations, faculty, employment reports and <a href="https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/alumni#/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alumni networks</a>, experiential learning opportunities, and processes for taking courses across the university. I spoke with current students and alumni, used university and program rankings as external proxies for quality, and asked trusted colleagues at work and in my network for their perceptions and/or experiences with the programs. I even made an Excel spreadsheet rating each program on ten metrics and weighing scores based on their relative importance.</p> <p>This process whittled a list of more than twenty programs down to the six in which I submitted applications. They all had one thing in common—a mission of educating decent future business leaders to collaborate with all stakeholders to solve complex global challenges.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Knowing Fuqua Was Right for Me</h3> <p>My decision came to two programs, one of which was Duke Fuqua. Duke had risen to the top of my rankings (using the methodology above), and I jumped at the opportunity to attend <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2023/03/30/fred-stillman/a-students-guide-to-blue-devil-weekend">Blue Devil Weekend</a>. I went in with two main questions on affordability and cultural fit and left the weekend feeling assured that this would be a good place to be.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Ryan-Van-Slyke-Knowing-Fuqua-was-the-Right-Fit-for-My-MBA_2.jpg" alt="A group of Duke Fuqua Daytime MBA Students at Ryan Van Slyke's home" class="wp-image-15532" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Ryan-Van-Slyke-Knowing-Fuqua-was-the-Right-Fit-for-My-MBA_2.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Ryan-Van-Slyke-Knowing-Fuqua-was-the-Right-Fit-for-My-MBA_2-300x225.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Ryan-Van-Slyke-Knowing-Fuqua-was-the-Right-Fit-for-My-MBA_2-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">My section is an important part of my life at Fuqua. I hosted my Section 3 classmates at my house and love any opportunity to spend time with them. </figcaption></figure> <p>The <a href="https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/programs/daytime-mba/financing-your-degree" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Financial Aid Office</a> was incredibly helpful in highlighting opportunities for post-graduation funding assistance through the <a href="https://centers.fuqua.duke.edu/case/students/financial-aid/?_gl=1*18uod93*_ga*Mzg3NjE3NzAuMTcxMDk0ODkyOA..*_ga_1QY6PJLGK7*MTcxMTA0NjUzMC45LjEuMTcxMTA0OTU0NS4zLjAuMA..#LAP" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rex Adams Scholarship</a> since I was unlikely to go into high-paying sectors post-graduation. Perhaps most importantly, I met several great people who demonstrated such warmth and courage to find their own fit at Fuqua. Knowing that they chose an MBA at Fuqua and seeing how students treated each other in the hallways offered evidence that this would be a place where I fit in.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Advice for Prospective Students</h3> <p>By now, it’s clear how the story ended: I accepted the offer to attend Duke University and Fuqua. From time to time, I am still surprised that I am pursuing an MBA. Yet I could not be prouder about being a graduate student at Duke University.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Ryan-Van-Slyke-Knowing-Fuqua-was-the-Right-Fit-for-My-MBA_3.jpg" alt="The Glasgow Cathedral" class="wp-image-15533" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Ryan-Van-Slyke-Knowing-Fuqua-was-the-Right-Fit-for-My-MBA_3.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Ryan-Van-Slyke-Knowing-Fuqua-was-the-Right-Fit-for-My-MBA_3-300x225.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Ryan-Van-Slyke-Knowing-Fuqua-was-the-Right-Fit-for-My-MBA_3-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">As a member of the Duke Chapel Choir, I performed on international tour in Ireland and Scotland in May 2023 in some of the most beautiful spaces, including Glasgow Cathedral. </figcaption></figure> <p>I took away three key lessons from this process that I hope are helpful for others in my position.</p> <ul><li><strong>Take a Leap </strong></li></ul> <p>I have found that I grow the most when I put myself in environments and situations where positive outcomes are not always assured. Pursuing an MBA is one of those leaps, and even though there have been challenges, I do know that there will be positive outcomes.</p> <ul><li><strong>“To Thine Own Self Be True”</strong></li></ul> <p>It is easy to move through life and not actively contemplate what you stand for, what you believe in, and what you will do with what you are given. I hope that the graduate school application process allows others to dig into what motivates them and gives them purpose.</p> <ul><li><strong>Identify Your Priorities</strong></li></ul> <p>Each of the top 10-15 MBA programs offer similar core curriculums and emphasis on “traditional career paths” into consulting, tech, and finance. Knowing the 5-10 most important attributes about a program, a university, a place to live, and the people you will be surrounded by—and then ranking each option by these attributes—revealed which programs align with what mattered most to me.</p> <p>Graduate school is a costly endeavor, and getting it right matters even more.</p><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/21/ryan-vanslyke/knowing-fuqua-was-the-right-fit-for-my-mba">Knowing Fuqua was the Right Fit for My MBA</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/21/ryan-vanslyke/knowing-fuqua-was-the-right-fit-for-my-mba/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>What Teamwork Looks Like at Fuqua</title> <link>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/21/gerard-pozzi/what-teamwork-looks-like-at-fuqua</link> <comments>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/21/gerard-pozzi/what-teamwork-looks-like-at-fuqua#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Gerard Pozzi]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 21 Mar 2024 12:35:15 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Learning]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Life at Fuqua]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Classmates]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Collaborative Learning]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Community]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fuqua Culture]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Personal Growth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Team Fuqua]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Teamwork]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/?p=15492</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>After just a few months of working with my team, I’ve learned how to embrace other’s differences to make a strong team.</p><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/21/gerard-pozzi/what-teamwork-looks-like-at-fuqua">What Teamwork Looks Like at Fuqua</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>My first two terms at Fuqua (actually, three if you include the short summer term) were more than a whirlwind. Coming from an environmental think tank in Washington, D.C., I was used to people thinking and behaving a certain way. My friend group began to reflect that. All of a sudden, I was—voluntarily, of course—thrown into an environment of uncertainty and adrenaline, sip circles and coffee chats, and small talk in every corner of my new life in <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/01/09/louis-attilio-fierro/from-food-to-entertainment-my-guide-to-a-weekend-in-durham">Durham</a>. On top of that, I recently got engaged and would be away from my fiancé, Olivia, who is pursuing her master’s in environmental management at Yale University.</p> <p>At the start of the summer term, everyone in my section was handed a piece of paper with a famous singer/songwriter on it. I had Adele. We were sent out of the classroom to meet our consequential leadership, or C-LEAD, team in the hallway. All I could think was, “Is it me you’re looking for?” Suddenly, I was standing before classmates I had never really met. Soon, we would be working through every single group project together for our core classes over the next few months.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Getting Into a Rhythm</h3> <p>Classes started, I distinctly remember feeling people’s warmth, kindness, and willingness to explore building lifelong friendships. This was built into the experience on every level, both grocery shopping on Ninth Street or sitting in Statistics class. Just a few days into the <a href="https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/programs/daytime-mba/program-format" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">summer term</a> and everyone getting into the groove of things, I realized that every single morning when class started, people were fist-pumping, high-fiving, or hugging. My C-LEAD and I were definitely a little reserved around each other at first. We did some small team-building exercises, set up a recurring meeting to work through homework together, and were soon “rolling in the deep.”</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Gerard-Pozzi-What-Teamwork-Looks-Like-at-Fuqua_2.jpg" alt="Gerard Pozzi and his teammates in the Daytime MBA Class of 2025 put their hands into the middle of a table at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business" class="wp-image-15496" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Gerard-Pozzi-What-Teamwork-Looks-Like-at-Fuqua_2.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Gerard-Pozzi-What-Teamwork-Looks-Like-at-Fuqua_2-300x225.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Gerard-Pozzi-What-Teamwork-Looks-Like-at-Fuqua_2-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure> <p>To share a little bit about my C-LEAD: We have myself (you can read my bio <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/bloggers/gerard-pozzi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>), <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/bloggers/mercedes-jones" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coco Mao</a> (from China and interested in investment banking), <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/bloggers/mercedes-jones">Mercedes Jones</a> (from Texas and interested in leadership development programs), Harish Nanjala (from Hyderabad India and pursuing consulting), and Jared Loerzel (from Florida and pursuing finance). We could not be more diverse and different. But I later found out… that’s where the magic lies.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Learning Through Teamwork</h3> <p>We each wield wildly opposite skill sets. Some of us are super analytical, others are excellent at brainstorming and great with big ideas. Through experimentation and a common drive I can’t fully put into words, we pushed through demanding projects and timelines, carved out needed time for team reflection, and celebrated successes whenever the opportunity arose. Fast forward to the start of Spring 2, I’m reflecting on the lessons I’ve learned from my team.</p> <ol start="1"><li><strong>Conflict is OK.</strong> In fact, it’s very good. Initially, it might feel safe and comfortable to get past conflict quickly and move on. Taking the time to pause after any form of conflict or disagreement as a team proved to be instrumental to us, refining our dynamic and becoming even stronger.</li> <li><strong>Carve out time for self and team reflection</strong>. After every assignment, for even just five minutes, a moment of reflection served us well. We got into the practice of sharing how we could improve the process. I think this helped us identify pain points over time and grow from that.</li> <li><strong>Smile. Crack a joke. Pull a light prank.</strong> Injecting some light energy here and there is definitely easier said than done when you feel like you’re drowning in an endless tsunami of work. That said, I guarantee that a smile, joke, or even prank will make the work environment more fun and allow everyone to take a deep breath.</li></ol> <p>After just a few months of working together, I’ve learned how to embrace other’s differences to make a strong team. I’ve learned more about myself than at any other moment in my life. Most importantly, I got to meet four of the most amazing people on this planet.</p><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/21/gerard-pozzi/what-teamwork-looks-like-at-fuqua">What Teamwork Looks Like at Fuqua</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/21/gerard-pozzi/what-teamwork-looks-like-at-fuqua/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Pursuing Professional and Personal Interests Through Club Leadership</title> <link>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/19/avi-stricker/pursuing-professional-and-personal-interests-through-club-leadership</link> <comments>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/19/avi-stricker/pursuing-professional-and-personal-interests-through-club-leadership#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Avi Stricker]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 19 Mar 2024 13:42:38 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Clubs]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Life at Fuqua]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Extracurricular]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fun]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fuqua/Coach K Center on Leadership and Ethics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Personal Growth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Professional Growth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Student Clubs]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/?p=15472</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>I am so grateful for the opportunity to do activities that I love while building my leadership skills and creating lifelong friends along the way.</p><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/19/avi-stricker/pursuing-professional-and-personal-interests-through-club-leadership">Pursuing Professional and Personal Interests Through Club Leadership</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A common anecdote I heard from Fuqua students when I began my <a href="https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/programs/daytime-mba/application-instructions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">application</a> process back in 2021 was that many things are student-run at Duke. Now, as graduation quickly approaches in May, I find myself saying the same thing to prospective students who reach out to me.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Embedding Myself in the Fuqua Community</h3> <p>The first year is extremely busy at any MBA program, but at Fuqua, I was still able to get involved as a first-year cabinet member for the general management, board game and Fuqua fitness clubs. In hindsight, I am so happy I was able to join these clubs in a leadership role. Not only did it feel great to help out my fellow first-years as part of the general management club, but I was also able to forge strong connections with second-years through the board game and fitness clubs. These connections were invaluable for me, as I found myself with a group of second-years that I leaned heavily on to get through my first year. I am still in contact with many of them.</p> <p>In my second year, I wanted to get even more involved. I successfully applied for and became both a Fellow for the <a href="https://centers.fuqua.duke.edu/cole/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fuqua/Coach K Center on Leadership and Ethics</a> (COLE) and a Career Fellow, a second-year mentor who helps first-year students during <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2023/04/11/ed-bernier/recruiting-at-fuqua-an-inside-look-at-the-first-year-and-internships">recruiting</a>. I also was asked to be one of the co-presidents of the Board Game Club and Volleyball Club. </p> <p>The Board Game Club is a Fuqua activity club that hosts weekly game nights for Fuqua students, as well as other events like trivia and video game tournaments. The Fuqua Volleyball Club is another activity club that organizes weekly volleyball games for Fuqua students as well as for students in other graduate programs across Duke.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="640" src="http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Avi-Stricker-Pursuing-Professional-and-Personal-Interests-Through-Club-Leadership_2-1024x640.jpg" alt="Fuqua's board game club hosting a game night" class="wp-image-15475" srcset="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Avi-Stricker-Pursuing-Professional-and-Personal-Interests-Through-Club-Leadership_2-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Avi-Stricker-Pursuing-Professional-and-Personal-Interests-Through-Club-Leadership_2-300x188.jpg 300w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Avi-Stricker-Pursuing-Professional-and-Personal-Interests-Through-Club-Leadership_2-768x480.jpg 768w, https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Avi-Stricker-Pursuing-Professional-and-Personal-Interests-Through-Club-Leadership_2.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hosting a game night for the Board Game Club</figcaption></figure> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Developing My Leadership Skills</h3> <p>What surprised me most is how much I not only enjoyed leading these clubs but also how much I learned from running them. I built skills on how to lead without formal authority, how to create a welcoming environment, how to delegate work to my cabinet members and how to motivate club members to come to events. I feel that these leadership roles outside of the classroom are exactly what I needed to prepare me for my next job after Fuqua and my career beyond.</p> <p>Fuqua is a wonderful place to pursue both your professional and personal interests. When I got into the program, I was barely thinking about what clubs I wanted to join. Now with my time at Fuqua coming to an end, I am so grateful for the opportunity to do activities that I love while building my leadership skills and creating lifelong friends along the way.</p><p>The post <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/19/avi-stricker/pursuing-professional-and-personal-interests-through-club-leadership">Pursuing Professional and Personal Interests Through Club Leadership</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba">Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/19/avi-stricker/pursuing-professional-and-personal-interests-through-club-leadership/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> </channel></rss> If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:
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