Growing up in a small town with limited resources, I never had many opportunities to explore leadership roles or discover my full potential. But all of that changed when I joined Fuqua’s Daytime MBA program. Suddenly, I had access to a wealth of formal and informal opportunities to engage in leadership roles and learn more about my own strengths and weaknesses.

One of the most valuable experiences I had at Fuqua was participating in experiential learning projects, such as the Fuqua Client Consulting Practicum (FCCP). Through these projects, I was able to observe myself and others in various settings and gain a deeper understanding of what kind of leader I wanted to be. I discovered that I enjoy bringing structure to new problems and thrive in ambiguous situations, but sometimes lose interest during the execution stage. In other words, I’m an ideas and planning person, not an execution leader.

But leadership is not just about having a specific style or approach—it’s also about helping others achieve their goals. That’s why I loved working as a career and admissions fellow, where I got to mentor first-year and prospective students and help them discover their own leadership potential. It was incredibly rewarding to see my mentees grow and succeed, and I found that I was truly passionate about making dreams happen.

One of the things I appreciated most about my experience at Fuqua was the diversity of leadership styles and opportunities. There were so many different ways to get involved, from joining the student body to organizing major events like Blue Devil Weekend and Orientation. It was inspiring to see how my classmates chose to use their skills and strengths in different ways, and I learned a lot from them about what it means to be a leader.

Of course, finding your own authentic leadership style is not always easy. It takes time, reflection, and feedback from others. That’s why I was so grateful to have the support of my professors, especially Professor John M. de Figueiredo. Through conversations with him and others, I was able to identify my strengths and weaknesses and chart a career path that was a perfect fit for me.

After graduating from Fuqua, I will join Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to further develop my skills and apply what I had learned about leadership. The role could be a great opportunity to work with talented driven people and help them tackle some truly challenging problems. Knowing my strengths, I am more prepared for this role than I ever could be.

Overall, pursuing an MBA degree at Fuqua has been a life-changing experience for me. I’m struck by how much it has transformed me as a person and a leader. I started out feeling uncertain and unsure of my abilities, but I’ve emerged with a much clearer sense of my own strengths and a newfound confidence in my ability to make a difference. I’m excited to see where my newfound confidence takes me. So, if you’re thinking about pursuing an MBA, I highly recommend Fuqua and Duke—who knows what amazing things you will discover about your own leadership style?