“Where are you applying to business school?”
“Why?”
It’s impossible to go through the MBA application process without answering these two questions ad infinitum. Ad naseum, really. But as I progressed through the application season, I found I was asked the “where” question MUCH more frequently than the why – but really, the MBA application process is all about the “why.” Sitting down and thinking about the why really helped me narrow my focus and led me to apply to the schools that I thought were the best fit for me, based on what I was looking to get from my business school education.
As we wrap up Fall Term I and ramp up for Fall Term II, I’ve had the opportunity to look back and figure out if my expectations have aligned with the reality, and if I really gave the right answers to my “whys.”
I decided to pursue an MBA and a career in business so I can one day use these skills to make a difference in the social sector. I found a wide variety of programs that emphasized social entrepreneurship – but Fuqua met so many other needs that were important to me: a collaborative environment, a strong, diverse curriculum with engaged professors, a smaller city, and – of course – school spirit!
Interestingly, the things I didn’t necessarily think would be as important to me – the team based environment and the incredible diversity of the school – have become the most important, valuable parts of my experience so far.
Now I’m finally getting my B-school sea legs, I’d like to take the next few posts to reflect on my reasons for choosing Fuqua, and what I’ve learned about Fuqua in my first three months.
Hi Susan! I am a prospective student from Brazil who is eager to be part of Fuqua community. I would like to know if you could help me with information about social entrepreneurship.
I’ve already researched about CASE initiatives, Net Impact Club and DMLI (Duke Microfinance Leadership Initiative). But I would like to know more about The Global Consulting Practicum (GCP) in Social Entrepreneurship. How can a Fuqua student take part of this program? Besides these initiatives, is there any other of social entrepreneurship, specially related to microfinance?
By the way, your post made me be even more excited about Fuqua MBA. I can notice this “energy” from every student and alumni I talk to…
Thanks!
Regards, Pedro.
Hi Pedro,
Glad to hear you are so excited about Fuqua and social entrepreneurship! GCP has been a great program so far – Fuqua students apply to take part in it after they’ve arrived on campus, sometime in early fall. You can choose from a variety of projects to work on, and there are generally several microfinance offerings. The program website is located here: http://www.caseatduke.org/mba/courses/GlobalConsultingPracticum/index.html
Also, you can read about the GCP experiences of several second-year bloggers here: http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/tag/global-consulting-practicum/#.TvI493ra6So
Hope this helps!
Best,
Susan
Susan, thank you very much! Really nice those materials!
I am going to visit Fuqua in January 26th and I hope I can talk to you and other students about GCP and other activities..
Happy new year!
Best,
Pedro
Hi, Susan! I am Alexia, a prospective student from Seoul, Korea. I am planning to visit Duke for R2 admission interview. I was looking for some Fuqua students who I can talk with about social entrepreneurship and Duke resources on it, and I’ve found you here!
I am going to be in Durham from Feb 22 to Feb 24, Please let me know if we can meet during my staying in Durham. My email address is alexiapark@gmail.com.
I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Best,
Alexia
Hi Susan,
Thanks for your post. I am also interested in social entrepreneurship as I come from an international development background, and would like to work at the intersection of the private and social sectors. I visited Duke over the summer last year, but unfortunately won’t be able to visit during the school year and meet students as I live in Ethiopia and it’s a far trek! I would like to hear about what you’ve observed in your first year about recruitment on campus by top management consulting firms and if you think that those companies value/are interested in Fuqua’s focus on social enterprise, and its students involvement in CASE, the global consulting practicum, etc. I would like to get into consulting, and focus on a social sector practice area like emerging markets, social enterprise, and sustainability.
I hope you’re having some nice fall weather in Durham now.
Cheers,
Karen
Hi Karen,
I thought I’d chime in and respond to your inquiry. First of all, thanks for your interest in Fuqua and our focus on social entrepreneurship! I am the Sector Director for Social Impact & Sustainability at Fuqua’s Career Management Center and have the pleasure of working with students like yourself who want to use their MBA skills to have a positive social and/or environmental impact.
Specifically regarding your question, the consulting firms are very much interested in our students who are involved with social impact here at Fuqua. As an example, just yesterday I was talking with two recent alumni who were very involved with the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE) and social impact here at Fuqua and had backgrounds in the social sector. One is just starting her job with McKinsey and the other with Bain. Just two anecdotal examples, but it does show that consulting firms appreciate students with experience working with diverse stakeholders, being able to break down complex problems and setting priorities in resource constrained environments. All skills that students who work in the social sector can demonstrate from their past experience or work here at Fuqua (including the practical consulting experience that Fuqua students can get through experiential learning opportunities such as the Fuqua Client Consulting Practicum.
In addition to the commercial management consulting firms that recruit on campus, we also work with consulting firms that focus on the social sector specifically. For example, we have alumni at and have recently held information sessions with FSG and Bridgespan who are recruiting for full-time positions.
I hope that helps answer your questions. Hope all is well in Ethiopia and that we get to see you here in Durham again!
Erin