Duke Weekend Executive MBA Student Blog

Many students join the Weekend Executive MBA program with one big question in mind: Is it possible to pivot my career while working full-time? The short answer is yes, and the Fuqua experience is designed to make that possible.

When we decided to participate in the Cornell Sloan x MD Anderson Healthcare Case Competition, we knew it would be a challenge to balance alongside our Executive MBA coursework and full-time roles. What drew us in was the opportunity to tackle a complex, real-world healthcare problem and present our ideas directly to industry leaders.

The application evolves a bit each year, but what we're looking for doesn't: candidates ready to succeed academically, eager to contribute to the classroom, and committed to their classmates and the broader Fuqua community. These updates offer a couple more ways to show us that.

If you’re considering an MBA, especially at Fuqua, my advice is simple: Don’t just think about what you want to do next. Think about who you want to become.

Despite my varied and interesting career, I had long been keen to find a way to deepen and broaden my business and leadership skills

Whether a student is looking to accelerate in their current organization, pivot into a new function, or launch something entirely their own, there are strategic actions that can position anyone for success.

Coming from the military, culture is critical. It shapes how people operate when things get difficult or uncertain.

For me, this experience isn’t just about professional advancement. It’s about expanding my capacity to build something that lasts and the capacity to lead when outcomes aren’t guaranteed.

For mid-career women especially, ambition can invite a sharp question: Haven’t you already done enough?