In an ever-evolving global landscape, where the financial markets are dynamic and technology is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, the need for highly-skilled quantitative professionals has never been greater. Aspiring to succeed in this complex environment requires not only a keen understanding of finance but also a mastery of quantitative methodologies that can unravel the intricacies of modern markets. A graduate degree can be the key to unlocking a world of opportunities. That was why I decided to pursue the Master of Science in Quantitative Management: Business Analytics at Fuqua.

Here are four ways the program has made me believe that I am making a worthy investment with the proper degree.

1. Career Resources

Once I joined the program, I connected with our Career Management Center (CMC), a dedicated resource that helped ensure I was taking the necessary steps to improve my opportunities and overall career outlook. During my second term, I had the opportunity to join CMC sessions, where I improved my resumes and cover letters, maximized my LinkedIn profile, and learned how to tell my professional story and interviewing skills.

The CMC also connected us with alumni, who talked about their companies and offered their advice on how to ace the interviews and be successful at their respective companies. The CMC has a wonderful team at my disposal to reach out to, including a career coach dedicated to helping me hone my skills.

2. Leadership Opportunities

I have had the opportunity to grow as a leader by taking the lead on team assignments in classes and by helping with events throughout the year. I am currently the Career Fellow for my cohort, which means I work along with the CMC to help them coordinate events and let them know about all career events and opportunities Duke has to offer. While there is only one Career Fellow per cohort, my classmates have other opportunities to serve in leadership positions, including Student Representative and Admissions Fellow.

The MSQM program also hosts a leadership intensive weekend prior to the start of Term 3 where we focus on the skills and values that it takes to become a leader. This leadership intensive was an eye-opening experience. Above all, it helped me understand more about myself.

3. Relevant Curriculum that Teaches In-Demand Skills

The curriculum here at Duke meets the demands of today’s employers. Through the program, I have been exposed to concepts often taught to MBAs, such as accounting and marketing.

I also learned more about programming in Python, which is one of the most sought-after skills in today’s markets. The curriculum goes beyond the basics by offering the opportunity to practice R and Python in some of our application courses, like Financial Risk Management, Fraud Analytics, and Advanced Data Analytics and Applications. Separate from coursework, the program provides workshops in Excel, Tableau, R and Python.

4. Strong Connection with My Cohort

Over the past year, I have had the wonderful opportunity to build a good relationship with my cohort as they are some of the brightest people I have ever met. Coming from various backgrounds, we each bring a different set of values and experiences. I’m thankful our cohort has grown close as we have worked on projects and talked each other through assignments and exams.