Since this blog was written, the Forensics track was redesigned and the track name was changed to Risk.

As I was applying to Fuqua’s MQM program and doing my initial research, I didn’t have a great idea of what forensics was. However, of the four functional tracks offered in the program, forensics sounded like it most closely matched my interests and previous education in accounting and management information systems. Now, about six months after graduation, I feel incredibly fortunate to have chosen the Forensics track as my daily client work highly matches the content and skills I learned at Fuqua.

I am working for PwC Advisory. The job requires frequent traveling and working with clients directly. My current client is a financial service institution on the west coast. Overall, I’d say my current work is broken down like this:

• 50% gathering requirements from the client and translating them into actionable tasks
• 30% making connections between client’s core database and vendor’s system
• 20% building predictive models using machine learning algorithms

I’ve learned a lot so far, but what’s even better, I’m actively applying things I learned at Fuqua.

Technical Skills

Before enrolling in the MQM program, I knew a little bit about SQL and Tableau. Classes at Fuqua helped me to become proficient in R, SQL, and Python, which are three of the top skills highly demanded by employers.

Forensics is not a new field—it has existed for years. What’s new is the technology we can apply to it and the process we use to attack the problem. By implementing technology that is new to the market, we can discern never-before-seen perspectives that will help businesses minimize risk and save costs.

Strong Communication

It wasn’t just my technical skills that have helped me in the real world—it was the whole package that I gained at Fuqua. Classes like Business Communication and Legal and Ethical Issues of Data Analytics have led me to think more critically as I perform daily tasks. Before making a decision, I will not only think about the cost savings, but also the ethical problems involved.

At Fuqua, we also learned different communications techniques and ways to project confidence. For example, when I am presenting to the clients, I will use voice variations and techniques to keep the audiences engaged. These skills have helped me to become a well-rounded professional.

A Focus on Collaboration

Because of Fuqua’s team-based model, we had to get used to new people quickly and start performing at a high level in a short period of time. That experience mimics the real world and has helped me immensely as I meet new teammates or clients and jump into new projects.

I’ve already benefited so much from my Fuqua experience, and the knowledge I gained from my track-related coursework has been especially helpful. I’m looking forward to a long, exciting career in data analytics.