As far back as I can remember, I’ve always loved asking one simple question: “Why?” As a kid, this usually meant bombarding my mom with questions, often testing her patience, and raising my hand constantly in class. I’ve always been curious, driven by a deep desire to understand how the world works. (You might not be surprised to learn I’m an engineer!)

That curiosity has now brought me back to school. As an MBA candidate at Fuqua, I get to raise my hand in an economics class surrounded by brilliant peers. But there was a time when I truly didn’t believe I belonged here. I doubted whether I was smart or important enough to even have a place at Fuqua. I became my own barrier to success, and I know I’m not alone in that.

Challenging Self-Doubt

Growing up as the daughter of a single immigrant mother, hard work wasn’t optional — it was just life. I found success in school by putting my head down and doing the work. When I started thinking seriously about pursuing an MBA, I already knew where I wanted to go: The Fuqua School of Business. Attending Duke had always been a dream. But I also heard that voice in my head say, “Don’t get too excited — you won’t get in anyway.”

Without even realizing it, I was putting limits on myself. Eventually, I found the courage to explore the process. I set up a call with admissions to better understand the requirements and what the experience might be like. That call changed everything.

I spoke with David Steber, then-assistant director of admissions for the Executive MBA programs. While we talked about the process of applying, what stuck with me was the Fuqua culture. Being a member of the Fuqua family is just as much about what I could bring to the program as it is who I am as a person. David truly listened and engaged with me in a way that made me feel seen.

Accepting That I Belong

I walked away from that call with clarity. As much as I was being evaluated by Fuqua, I was also evaluating them. And what I saw was more than just a business school. Fuqua is a community committed to developing leaders with decency, integrity, and purpose.

That day, I made a promise to myself: no more impostor syndrome. It had only ever held me back from reaching my full potential and from being my authentic self. And now, I couldn’t be more honored to have found my place here.

Getting out of my own way was gradual; it began with finding the confidence to ask questions and silencing the voice in my head that said, “Hopefully this isn’t a silly question.”

Then it transformed into jumping into a class discussion and sharing insights about my industry or raising my hand during a guest speaker Q&A. I have also learned that “getting out of my own way” isn’t linear, and that is the greatest part of this journey. I’m not expected to be perfect every day, I’m just expected to bring my authentic self.

My classmates remind me of that with encouraging messages of, “That was a great question, Ana!” Sometimes that support plays out by connecting over lunch and encouraging each other that we are on this journey together.

Today, I know I belong. Not because every day is perfect — there are still good days and bad days — but because no matter what, I know I can lean on my support system: my friends, my family, and my Fuqua Family.