I’m what some might call a true local, born right here at Duke University Hospital. And I couldn’t be happier about it. As my career evolved, I discovered that my true passion was at the intersection of business and technology. So, it was a natural progression for me to choose Duke for my Master of Science in Quantitative Management (MSQM) degree, especially since I already had my MBA, the accelerated business analytics program was the perfect fit.

During orientation, Senior Associate Dean Jeremy Petranka, whom we affectionately call Dr. J., ignited my curiosity when he introduced us to the Fuqua ecosystem. As I sat there listening intently, his words challenged me to venture beyond the confines of the classroom and immerse myself in the rich resources that Fuqua had to offer. Accepting this challenge dismantled self-limiting beliefs allowing me to see that I could do more than I initially imagined.

My career has been a whirlwind of experiences filled with highs, lows, and everything in between. From founding and successfully exiting five businesses to navigating roles in sales, underwriting, analytics, and product management, I am pleased to say I’m an EXPLORER! My love for learning, research, and forging new paths knows no bounds. In the face of both successes and failures, my ambition is to persistently strive for greater achievements.

Fuqua provided the perfect environment for my inner explorer to thrive. However, it all started with a well-defined vision, a deep understanding of why I enrolled in this program, and the establishment of essential goals prior to its commencement. One of those goals, beyond earning my degree, was to ensure I left Duke with a refined approach to problem-solving.

Diving into the Transformative Journey of the MSQM Program

Prioritizing my goals enabled me to enhance my personal growth and sharpen my abilities. As a spouse, parent, employee, student, and volunteer, the nurturing and flexible community at Fuqua empowered me to grow and maintain balance as I navigated through the various resources. In addition to the program content, grabbing a few skills over a weekend allowed me to fine-tune my problem-solving skills without feeling overwhelmed.

Fuqua offers captivating weekend intensives that equipped me with practical skills that I could implement immediately upon my return to work. They covered topics like data visualization, leadership, coding, and more, all included with tuition. These workshops played a transformative role for me as I transitioned from operational to analytical roles.

Cultivating Innovation through Conferences

As I continued with the program, I sought not only to enhance my problem-solving skills but also to cultivate my innovative and creative capabilities. To achieve this, I made a deliberate choice to explore an industry that I wasn’t particularly fond of, solely to grasp their approach to innovation in hopes of uncovering new opportunities.

Fuqua hosts a multitude of conferences, each offering an immersive experience in various industries. My intention was to utilize these events as cross-pollination opportunities, where I could absorb innovative solutions from one sector and adapt them to my own. Participating in these conferences equipped me with fresh insights and ideas to effectively address challenges, ultimately broadening my perspective at work.

Breaking Barriers with Additional Electives

As someone who has embarked on five entrepreneurial journeys, I had a deep personal commitment to diving deeper into the world of startups. Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Duke I&E) is a game-changer. Imagine having the chance to engage in a hands-on class where you can collaborate on your own entrepreneurial venture or support a teammate’s project if you’re not ready to venture out solo yet. Amongst all the remarkable courses available, there’s one that I believe is an absolute must-not-miss—New Ventures: Develop led by Dr. Jamie Jones.

The course offered me and my classmates an unparalleled opportunity for personal and professional growth. MSQM students have the chance to enroll in this course. It does come with an increased workload and requires on-campus presence, but I thought it was undoubtedly worth the effort.

Fuqua’s resources are a treasure trove for the curious mind, a true playground for exploration. My advice to anyone in the MSQM program or considering it is to embrace the spirit of an explorer. Remember, your journey is a blank canvas, and Fuqua’s resources are your palette to paint your unique masterpiece, make this your experience and it will truly be TRANSFORMATIVE!