Before joining MQM, I had always considered myself an extreme introvert. Meeting new people felt intimidating, and I could never imagine myself networking or proactively walking up to someone just to start a conversation. However, I knew that communication is critical to succeed in today’s workplace, so improving that was one of my main priorities when coming to graduate school.

Getting To Know My Classmates

MQM stood out to me because of its emphasis on Team Fuqua. I remember hearing this phrase a lot while researching the program, but I didn’t realize how much the MQM team actually does to foster that collaborative and supportive spirit. Beyond the classroom, they organize a wide range of events that help students connect with each other, try new activities, and de-stress from the fast-paced program.

At the beginning of the program, we had multiple speed-friending sessions. Normally, introducing myself to a stranger would feel uncomfortable, but the structure made it low-pressure and fun. Everyone was in the same situation and genuinely interested in making new connections. After a few rounds, my nerves went away, and I began forming friendships that would continue to grow throughout the program.

Throughout the fall semester, MQM also organized one-on-one and group coffee chats. The program team sponsored our drinks and paired up students who hadn’t met before. This led to unexpected conversations and finding common interests with people I would usually not have the courage to approach. It created an easy opportunity to hang out with people outside of my usual circle.

MQM also organized larger events that brought the whole community together, such as day trips to Raleigh and Charlotte or free tickets to NBA and NHL games. Cheering for local North Carolina teams — and sometimes players who are Duke alumni — was a fun way to lean into the Team Fuqua spirit. Spending a few hours outside the classroom with classmates made it much easier to build friendships that carried back into group projects and everyday interactions on campus.

Experiencing New Things With Confidence

From haunted houses to golf outings to pumpkin carving, there are also plenty of opportunities to simply try out new things. These activities created some of my favorite memories from the program. Many of them were things I probably wouldn’t have thought of doing on my own, but they turned into great bonding moments with classmates.

At first, I attended these events just to have fun or for free swag. But over time, they turned into much more than that. They pushed me to practice small talk, meet people outside my immediate circle, and become more comfortable communicating with others.

That confidence has carried over into other parts of the program, like class presentations and networking conversations. I know these experiences will also help me later on when talking with recruiters or communicating with clients and stakeholders in the workplace.

While MQM events are great social activities, they help students build the interpersonal skills that recruiters look for and create a community that makes the MQM experience more meaningful and memorable.