My first month at Fuqua did not always go according to plan. I lost my way, searched for the right words, and spent an evening waiting for a baseball game that never began. But somewhere along the way, I learned a few important lessons about finding confidence, building community and making the most of unexpected moments.

My path to Fuqua has been anything but conventional, but every challenge along the way has shaped the person I am today. From overcoming early health struggles to discovering confidence through the universal language of math, I learned early on that growth can come from discomfort and resilience.

When I started the MQM: Business Analytics program at Fuqua, I knew I was signing up to be challenged in the classroom. I was coming from a background in journalism and advertising and suddenly found myself surrounded by data, analytics, and people who seemed to know more than I did. What I did not expect was how much I would grow outside the classroom, too.