Duke MQM Student Blog

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.

This year, we’re excited to introduce a few updates that provide greater flexibility for applicants while ensuring every student arrives ready to contribute to the collaborative, team-oriented environment that defines the Fuqua experience.

The Triangle is an elite food region, and somehow, the food gets even better when you experience it through the multicultural community at Fuqua.

Capstone changed the way I approach problem-solving. It reinforced the idea that strong analytics starts with understanding the decision, not just the data.

In a competitive job market, it’s easy to feel pressure to move quickly by applying broadly, reacting to job postings, and trying to keep up with peers. But after working with thousands of students through many years and various economic conditions, I’ve found that timing and sequencing matter.

During my MQM interview, I faced a question I wasn’t entirely prepared to answer: "How do you plan to contribute to the Fuqua community?"

Fuqua will challenge you in the specific way that most transformative places challenge you, by showing you how much larger you are capable of becoming.