https://gmatclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/2015-06-16_19-29-30-150x150.png By Adam Hoff, Amerasia Consulting Group This is a post I write basically every year because it comes from what I'm seeing each round, every day, on basically every application. That drum beat is really rigid, hard-to-read Why School X sections on essays. I give the same note to every single client so now I'm giving it to everybody: the simplest and most important thing you can do to improve your Why School X portion of career goals essay is to personalize any and all content. This is a great way to avoid writing something off-putting, as well as a quick and easy method for making your essays warmer, more personal, and easier to connect with. So, what do I mean by "personalizing" this part of the app? Simple: make anything you write about the school specific to you, your experience, your desires, or what you require from a program. Never just state absolutes, generalities, or even known truths and facts - always make them personally-held viewpoints. Examples are the best way to understand this (after the jump): Example #1 GOOD - "I am seeking an intense MBA experience, which is why INSEAD is my top choice." BAD - "INSEAD is one of the most intense MBA programs in the world." WHY - The first sentence is a statement about what you want (an intense experience), which is used as justification for pursuing the school. It doesn't matter whether you are right or wrong in your assessment, so long as you believe it and can then base a decision on that belief. Whereas in the second sentence, you are simply stating a fact. There are multiple problems with this: A) you might be wrong, B) even if you are right it might sound lecturing (which can irritate a reader who is far more of an expert on the subject than you are), or C) even if you are right and the reader is not mildly irritated, you still miss a chance to express something about you. Anything in any essay that doesn't tell the reader more about you, your world, and what you want is wasted space. Example #2 Good - "One thing that drew me to Duke right away was the small class size, which has always been the ideal setting for me to grow and learn." BAD - "Small class sizes are the best way to learn, which is why I love Duke." WHY - This one has a wrinkle, which is that the "bad" sentence sort of seems to personalize the statement with the "why I love Duke" part. The problem is that the revelation is still not based on a personal belief, but rather a statement of fact. Indeed, this statement of fact is even more egregious than the INSEAD statement above because it's offering up as concrete fact something that is highly debatable. Maybe large classes are the best way to learn. Maybe it's online. Maybe it's one-on-one. Who are you to say? Who am I to say? None of us are experts in the sphere of ideal learning models, so this just sounds completely arrogant. Whereas in the "good" example, we see that it's simply a personal preference that is the basis for further interest in Duke. I could go on and on and write 10 examples, but two is probably enough. The main thing is to read every single sentence you write about a program and make sure that it's always personal - told from your perspective, your opinion, your beliefs, and your desires. If it dissolves into "brochure writing" - just statements of fact, no matter how benign or flattering to the school - there is zero upside and plenty of downside. It's a small thing, but we see it crop up in probably 90% of the essays we read, so it's obviously a fairly widespread problem. And while it may not be the entire difference between being admitted or denied, it can definitely be the difference between getting a good or a bad read of your file. And in our experience, *that* is often the difference between being admitted or denied. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you are interested in making sure your essays are personalized (as well as everything else they need to be), hit us up at mba@amerasiaconsulting.com .

If you’re a prospective student reading this blog, chances are you’re already aware of the “25 Random Things” essay that is part of the application . But how should you approach writing it? Here are some examples from our essays that might help spark some of your own ideas. Maddy Conway My instinct is always to believe the best in people until proven otherwise. Cut me off on the highway? I choose to assume you’re in a rush for a good reason—maybe a sick kid at home, or late for a job interview. I’m an optimistic person, and I believe in the benefit of the doubt. At age five, when our pet fish died, I’m told that I turned calmly to my mother and asked if we could eat them. While slightly concerning, I take this to mean that my practical streak runs very deep. One finals period in college, I was introduced to the song “Ocean,” by the John Butler Trio. It’s a 12-minute long instrumental triumph, and I listened to it 116 times over the course of a single weekend (over 23 hours’ worth, if you’re doing the math). To this day, “Ocean” is my most effective tool to combat writer’s block. Instead of buying a ring, my husband and I took an “engagement trip” to the western coast of Newfoundland, where we climbed on metamorphosed mantel rock (#geologynerds), met a moose that we named Muenster, and camped outside in balmy 40-degree Fahrenheit June weather. All our fellow tourists were Canadian retirees. It was the best trip I’ve ever taken. In another life, I would be a radio journalist. I absolutely love NPR. Yun Hong I decided to pursue my undergrad studies in Japan to learn about the country. Without being able to speak a word of Japanese, I found part-time work as soon as I could. Washing dishes, making beds in hotels, cleaning buses, teaching English, and mowing golf courses, I ended up picking up the language faster than any of my Japanese course classmates and was the first in my class to get Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 1. I once missed a flight by losing track of time at the Hong Kong History Museum, and without credit card or cash, I ended up spending the entire day asking for help from strangers to get back to Japan. I tried to convince them that I could pay them back once I was back in Japan, and couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t believe me. After 11 hours, I was nowhere closer to getting myself a ticket but had made friends with a middle-aged man from Columbia who was in a similar situation and spoke no English. While trying to decide which business school to go to, I was offered a Fuqua T-shirt by a friend who got into Fuqua 10 years ago but did not enroll. This random hand-me-down became yet another sign for me to apply to Fuqua. In my drawer at work, I always had four or five different prototypes of next-generation vital sign sensing T-shirts and three to four prototypes for wristband sensors. User testing these prototypes was an important part of my routine that helped me communicate effectively with customers and partners. In the next drawer, I had over 20 different products made by various competitors that I also personally tested thoroughly to study and analyze. In one of the largest software solution companies in Asia, I was known as “the hardware guy.” Sandeep Panda I started photography while I was in France 5 years ago—and like most people who have DSLR cameras, started with simple bokeh photographs. It was the beauty of the Notre Dame cathedral at night that inspired me to venture into night photography and I haven’t looked back ever since. I actively follow this still and post my work on 500px. Most of my viewers are from the U.S., Germany, and the U.K. Interestingly, during my stint at Goldman Sachs, I spoke to people across five continents. However, what made the experience even more global is that I had to interact across seven different time zones—sometimes all in a single day from Australia to Salt Lake City. I love music. I love both modern as well as classical Indian music and love the contemporary takes on them. I am the co-founder of a nonprofit organization, Snehalata Memorial Foundation, focused on the promotion of Indian Classical Music. I have been interested in financial markets since my final year in college and created a portfolio of stocks after due diligence. My ROI is 105% on the initial investment in three years. Hailing from a computer science background, my passion for games was directed into creating alongside playing. I created many small games in college. I also took part in the world game championship challenge to develop a full 3D game and qualified in the top 100. The trailer is here . Austin Ray When I was younger, I trained dogs in sheep herding and agility. I did not appreciate either experience at the time, but I’m glad that my parents pushed me to try something unconventional. I’m now open to trying anything once. I once made GQ.com’s list of “Best Dressed Readers.” I still don’t know who nominated me. I try to meditate and practice yoga regularly. Throw me in any situation and I’ll always feel at ohm. I will use a bad pun at every opportunity. I moved from California to New York to co-found a non profit when I was 24. I only brought a duffel bag with me. No mattress, no furniture, no kitchen utensils; only enough clothes to get through the first season. I didn’t know if the organization would get off the ground, but five years later and it’s still going strong. Seeing a napkin sketch of a dream transform into reality is still one of my proudest achievements. Courtney Ridenhour I’m addicted to true crime. I’ll read, watch, or listen to anything related to it. On that note, I think working in the Behavioral Analysis Unit at the FBI would be the coolest thing. A slight obsession with how people think and what makes people tick might be what got me into the world of advertising and marketing. In college, I led backpacking trips for incoming freshmen. Part of our training included a wilderness first aid course. Because of this training, I can now make a splint out of anything. Show me a jacket, a bandana, and two sticks, I see a leg brace. It’s my only party trick. My favorite day in New York is the first Sunday in November—the day of the TCS New York City Marathon. The city shows up. The streets are lined. People are cheering for strangers. There’s a real sense of community. I volunteered for the race a couple of times, and have always made a point to watch and cheer. I finally got to run the marathon last fall. The race was a tough one, but it was one of the coolest experiences. Crossing that finish line is a moment I will never forget. I have a bad binge-watching habit. But I’m super up-to-speed on all things Netflix. I will say, as a small redemption, that this habit pairs well with marathon training. The post Examples of Our 25 Random Things appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog .

I’ve often told people I feel like I have the best job at Fuqua. As associate dean for career management, I have a front-row view of our tremendously talented students seeking jobs plus direct insight from the companies looking to hire them. It could be tempting to think of our careers team as matchmakers in that process—but our roles are so much more complex and constantly evolving. We are the eyes and ears of the business school in understanding what companies want in the talent they are hiring and how they are hiring it. We are among the first to spot shifts in the skills needed to succeed in the ever-complex landscape of business today. In 20 years on Fuqua’s career team, I’ve personally witnessed the changing nature of work and the new demands in skills and opportunities that accompany those evolutions. Our faculty is continually updating and tweaking our curriculum to meet the needs of business. That means our students are prepared. It also means they are in demand. The data in our most recent careers report demonstrates that demand. Three months after the Class of 2019 graduated, 97% had received job offers and 95% had accepted offers. Those are the highest percentages I’ve seen in my 20 years. In addition, median annual base salary rose by 8% from the previous year. I believe the numbers speak not only to the talent of our students but the recognition by employers that they are being well prepared at Fuqua. Other highlights from the careers report include: For the third consecutive year, the West Coast is the top geographic destination for our graduates, attracting approximately a quarter of the combined graduating and intern classes. I attribute this trend to the popularity of the technology and health care industries, along with increased numbers of graduates going to work in consulting in the region. By industry, 32% of the class went into consulting, 23% into tech and 20% into finance. The number of graduates entering finance in 2019 was up four percentage points from the previous year. McKinsey hired the most graduates in 2019, followed by Amazon, BCG, Microsoft, Dell, and Google. Fifty-nine companies hired three or more grads or interns. The full careers report can be found here . You can also read more about the trends in this Poets & Quants piece. I’m proud our data continues to show that Fuqua graduates are able to pursue their career interests in a wide variety of industries, functions, and locations. Mostly, I’m proud of the stories I hear about the ways our graduates are impacting companies and their communities. I love hearing recruiters tell me how a Fuqua graduate brought a team together to solve a challenge or used their technical expertise plus leadership skills to drive innovation. Knowing our team helped highly talented people find fulfilling roles where they can use their skills and passions to help make companies and the world better is always our best metric of success! The post A Record Year for Hiring at Fuqua appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog .

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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: Latin American Student Association Provides Valuable Support

An MBA is a once in a lifetime opportunity to put yourself out of your comfort zone, especially if you are an international student. Coming from Brazil, I quickly learned that the cultural difference between my home country and the U.S. is greater than I had ever realized. That’s why having support from fellow Latin American students has helped me make the best of my experience.

The Latin American Student Association (LASA) is one of the largest clubs at Fuqua, and it promotes both professional and social events, facilitating a network comprised of its members that include people passionate about our region. Here are four areas where LASA delivers value during the MBA journey.

Admissions

LASA plays an important role in the application process. The club partners with Fuqua’s admissions team to promote local events in Latin America, connecting prospective students to alumni and current students so that they can learn more about our school. LASA also helps newly-admitted students to ‘land’ in Durham, promoting sessions that share information on housing, health care, and daily life in North Carolina prior to the beginning of classes. As a country representative, I’m responsible for connecting with prospective and admitted students from Brazil to answer their questions about Fuqua. If you’re a prospective student, you can contact admissions and ask to be connected with a student from your home country.

Professional Life

Recruiting in the U.S. can be strikingly different from recruiting in Latin America in general. The LASA Career Cabinet strives to bridge this gap by promoting workshop sessions, resume and cover letter reviews, company webinars, and a career conference. The club also offers the LASA Career Fellow program, which consists of matching a first-year student to a second-year with similar professional interests. For me, the program was a major source of help because it provided me important insights on how to recruit in the U.S. Different from the Fuqua Career Management Center’s career fellows, LASA career fellows specifically bring the perspective of someone who has successfully navigated and comprehended the differences in the recruiting processes in U.S.-based and Latin American companies.

LASA students with Duke Latin American undergrads they mentored

External Relations

LASA’s External Relations Cabinet is responsible for helping students to build relationships with Latin American alumni and companies, expanding recruiting opportunities for the LASA community. They also organized the first LASA conference about entrepreneurship in Latin America where I enjoyed hearing from amazing leaders such as Martin Rastellino (founder of Despegar) and Woods Staton (CEO of Arcos Dorados).

Social Life

LASA is known for its amazing social events—from barbecues to Carnival to Día de Los Muertos. The parties are great opportunities to take a well-deserved break from academic life and a chance to share our culture with other students while getting to know more people. At LASA social events, I have met amazing people from all over the world, including a Chilean partner of a student, who is now one of my best friends in Durham, and an Indian who loves to practice his Spanish. Speaking of partners, many Latin students come to Durham with their families who engage in events promoted by the LASA Partners Cabinet.

View this post on Instagram LASA Cabinet 2019-2020

! Welcome FY Cabinet

A post shared by LASA Fuqua (@lasafuqua) on Oct 1, 2019 at 10:21am PDT

The post Latin American Student Association Provides Valuable Support appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.

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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: Examples of Our 25 Random Things

If you’re a prospective student reading this blog, chances are you’re already aware of the “25 Random Things” essay that is part of the application. But how should you approach writing it? Here are some examples from our essays that might help spark some of your own ideas.

Maddy Conway

My instinct is always to believe the best in people until proven otherwise. Cut me off on the highway? I choose to assume you’re in a rush for a good reason—maybe a sick kid at home, or late for a job interview. I’m an optimistic person, and I believe in the benefit of the doubt.
At age five, when our pet fish died, I’m told that I turned calmly to my mother and asked if we could eat them. While slightly concerning, I take this to mean that my practical streak runs very deep.
One finals period in college, I was introduced to the song “Ocean,” by the John Butler Trio. It’s a 12-minute long instrumental triumph, and I listened to it 116 times over the course of a single weekend (over 23 hours’ worth, if you’re doing the math). To this day, “Ocean” is my most effective tool to combat writer’s block.
Instead of buying a ring, my husband and I took an “engagement trip” to the western coast of Newfoundland, where we climbed on metamorphosed mantel rock (#geologynerds), met a moose that we named Muenster, and camped outside in balmy 40-degree Fahrenheit June weather. All our fellow tourists were Canadian retirees. It was the best trip I’ve ever taken.
In another life, I would be a radio journalist. I absolutely love NPR.

Yun Hong

I decided to pursue my undergrad studies in Japan to learn about the country. Without being able to speak a word of Japanese, I found part-time work as soon as I could. Washing dishes, making beds in hotels, cleaning buses, teaching English, and mowing golf courses, I ended up picking up the language faster than any of my Japanese course classmates and was the first in my class to get Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 1.
I once missed a flight by losing track of time at the Hong Kong History Museum, and without credit card or cash, I ended up spending the entire day asking for help from strangers to get back to Japan. I tried to convince them that I could pay them back once I was back in Japan, and couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t believe me. After 11 hours, I was nowhere closer to getting myself a ticket but had made friends with a middle-aged man from Columbia who was in a similar situation and spoke no English.
While trying to decide which business school to go to, I was offered a Fuqua T-shirt by a friend who got into Fuqua 10 years ago but did not enroll. This random hand-me-down became yet another sign for me to apply to Fuqua.
In my drawer at work, I always had four or five different prototypes of next-generation vital sign sensing T-shirts and three to four prototypes for wristband sensors. User testing these prototypes was an important part of my routine that helped me communicate effectively with customers and partners.
In the next drawer, I had over 20 different products made by various competitors that I also personally tested thoroughly to study and analyze. In one of the largest software solution companies in Asia, I was known as “the hardware guy.”

Sandeep Panda

I started photography while I was in France 5 years ago—and like most people who have DSLR cameras, started with simple bokeh photographs. It was the beauty of the Notre Dame cathedral at night that inspired me to venture into night photography and I haven’t looked back ever since. I actively follow this still and post my work on 500px. Most of my viewers are from the U.S., Germany, and the U.K.
Interestingly, during my stint at Goldman Sachs, I spoke to people across five continents. However, what made the experience even more global is that I had to interact across seven different time zones—sometimes all in a single day from Australia to Salt Lake City.
I love music. I love both modern as well as classical Indian music and love the contemporary takes on them. I am the co-founder of a nonprofit organization, Snehalata Memorial Foundation, focused on the promotion of Indian Classical Music.
I have been interested in financial markets since my final year in college and created a portfolio of stocks after due diligence. My ROI is 105% on the initial investment in three years.
Hailing from a computer science background, my passion for games was directed into creating alongside playing. I created many small games in college. I also took part in the world game championship challenge to develop a full 3D game and qualified in the top 100. The trailer is here.

Austin Ray

When I was younger, I trained dogs in sheep herding and agility. I did not appreciate either experience at the time, but I’m glad that my parents pushed me to try something unconventional. I’m now open to trying anything once.
I once made GQ.com’s list of “Best Dressed Readers.” I still don’t know who nominated me.
I try to meditate and practice yoga regularly. Throw me in any situation and I’ll always feel at ohm.
I will use a bad pun at every opportunity.
I moved from California to New York to co-found a non profit when I was 24. I only brought a duffel bag with me. No mattress, no furniture, no kitchen utensils; only enough clothes to get through the first season. I didn’t know if the organization would get off the ground, but five years later and it’s still going strong. Seeing a napkin sketch of a dream transform into reality is still one of my proudest achievements.

Courtney Ridenhour

I’m addicted to true crime. I’ll read, watch, or listen to anything related to it.
On that note, I think working in the Behavioral Analysis Unit at the FBI would be the coolest thing. A slight obsession with how people think and what makes people tick might be what got me into the world of advertising and marketing.
In college, I led backpacking trips for incoming freshmen. Part of our training included a wilderness first aid course. Because of this training, I can now make a splint out of anything. Show me a jacket, a bandana, and two sticks, I see a leg brace. It’s my only party trick.
My favorite day in New York is the first Sunday in November—the day of the TCS New York City Marathon. The city shows up. The streets are lined. People are cheering for strangers. There’s a real sense of community. I volunteered for the race a couple of times, and have always made a point to watch and cheer. I finally got to run the marathon last fall. The race was a tough one, but it was one of the coolest experiences. Crossing that finish line is a moment I will never forget.
I have a bad binge-watching habit. But I’m super up-to-speed on all things Netflix. I will say, as a small redemption, that this habit pairs well with marathon training.

The post Examples of Our 25 Random Things appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.

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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: A Record Year for Hiring at Fuqua

I’ve often told people I feel like I have the best job at Fuqua. As associate dean for career management, I have a front-row view of our tremendously talented students seeking jobs plus direct insight from the companies looking to hire them.

It could be tempting to think of our careers team as matchmakers in that process—but our roles are so much more complex and constantly evolving. We are the eyes and ears of the business school in understanding what companies want in the talent they are hiring and how they are hiring it. We are among the first to spot shifts in the skills needed to succeed in the ever-complex landscape of business today.

In 20 years on Fuqua’s career team, I’ve personally witnessed the changing nature of work and the new demands in skills and opportunities that accompany those evolutions. Our faculty is continually updating and tweaking our curriculum to meet the needs of business. That means our students are prepared. It also means they are in demand.

The data in our most recent careers report demonstrates that demand. Three months after the Class of 2019 graduated, 97% had received job offers and 95% had accepted offers. Those are the highest percentages I’ve seen in my 20 years. In addition, median annual base salary rose by 8% from the previous year.

I believe the numbers speak not only to the talent of our students but the recognition by employers that they are being well prepared at Fuqua. Other highlights from the careers report include:

For the third
consecutive year, the West Coast is the top geographic destination for
our graduates, attracting approximately a quarter of the combined graduating
and intern classes. I attribute this trend to the popularity of the technology
and health care industries, along with increased numbers of graduates going to
work in consulting in the region.
By industry, 32% of the class went into
consulting, 23% into tech and 20% into finance. The number of graduates entering
finance in 2019 was up four percentage points from the previous year.
McKinsey hired the most graduates in 2019,
followed by Amazon, BCG, Microsoft, Dell, and
Google. Fifty-nine companies hired three or more grads or interns.

The full careers report can be found here. You can also read more about the trends in this Poets & Quants piece.

I’m proud our data continues to show that Fuqua graduates are able to pursue their career interests in a wide variety of industries, functions, and locations.

Mostly, I’m proud of the stories I hear about the ways our
graduates are impacting companies and their communities. I love hearing
recruiters tell me how a Fuqua graduate brought a team together to solve a
challenge or used their technical expertise plus leadership skills to drive
innovation. Knowing our team helped highly talented people find fulfilling
roles where they can use their skills and passions to help make companies and
the world better is always our best metric of success!

The post A Record Year for Hiring at Fuqua appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.

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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: How Meeting the AI Advisor to the Prime Minister of India Transformed Me

I’m sixteen months into the Daytime MBA program at Fuqua, and the experience has been hugely rewarding. As a part of my curriculum, I’ve had the privilege of studying under professors who are globally renowned leaders in their fields, traveled to South America to help a large financial institution transform its digital strategy, and interned at a company that I’ve wanted to work for since I was a teenager.

However, my already amazing experience got even better when the Global Team at Fuqua asked me to organize and moderate a panel discussion with Nivruti Rai. Nivruti is the country head for Intel, India, and the artificial intelligence (AI) advisor to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. She came to Fuqua during her visit to Duke to unveil Prime Minister Modi’s Global AI Conference in New Delhi, which is to be held in April 2020.

In addition to Nivruti, attending the discussion at Fuqua was David Hoffman, the director of security policy at Intel, Prashant Shah, a prominent Bollywood filmmaker, two members of the Global Team at Fuqua, and sixteen second-year MBA students, representing the Association of Women in Business, the Tech Club, and INDUS—the South Asian club.

After a quick round of introductions, Nivruti started off the discussion by explaining the rationale behind why she thinks that AI will be one of the biggest drivers of India’s GDP growth in the coming years. She told us about the petabytes of data that India has, and how she and Intel are partnering with the state and national governments to improve everything from health infrastructure to road conditions, including the development of grey zone mappings to reduce the high rate of traffic accidents in the country.

Discussions with students ranged from how to bring data out of the “walled gardens” of the big tech firms and allow it to be leveraged by passionate social entrepreneurs who want to use that data to train machine learning models for improving the society, to how future leaders at Fuqua, who come from developing nations like Nicaragua, can help their countries benefit from the global AI revolution.

She also spoke at length about the various “smart” initiatives that have been undertaken by the Indian government over the last five years, such as the Smart Cities Mission and CityStack, and how these initiatives are collaborating with each other to usher in a digital age in India.

From the discussion, it was amply evident that Nivruti is incredibly passionate about leveraging AI to solve several of the economic and societal challenges that plague India and the world. Conversations with my fellow classmates after the discussion echoed my feelings—we were truly inspired by Nivruti’s lifelong dedication and passion towards the subject. She is a role model for anyone that is looking to positively impact their communities through technology. We felt empowered to uncover our passions and solve the most pressing problems of the world.

The post How Meeting the AI Advisor to the Prime Minister of India Transformed Me appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.

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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: How Hosting the Top Technology Advisor to the Indian Government Transformed Me

I’m sixteen months into the Daytime MBA program at Fuqua, and the experience has been hugely rewarding. As a part of my curriculum, I’ve had the privilege of studying under professors who are globally renowned leaders in their fields, traveled to South America to help a large financial institution transform its digital strategy, and interned at a company that I’ve wanted to work for since I was a teenager.

However, my already amazing experience got even better when the Global Team at Fuqua asked me to organize and moderate a panel discussion with Nivruti Rai. Nivruti is the country head for Intel, India, and the top technology advisor to the Indian government. She came to Fuqua during her visit to Duke to unveil Prime Minister Modi’s Global AI Conference in New Delhi, which is to be held in April 2020.

In addition to Nivruti, attending the discussion at Fuqua was David Hoffman, the director of security policy at Intel, Prashant Shah, a prominent Bollywood filmmaker, two members of the Global Team at Fuqua, and sixteen second-year MBA students, representing the Association of Women in Business, the Tech Club, and INDUS—the South Asian club.

After a quick round of introductions, Nivruti started off the discussion by explaining the rationale behind why she thinks that AI will be one of the biggest drivers of India’s GDP growth in the coming years. She told us about the petabytes of data that India has, and how she and Intel are partnering with the state and national governments to improve everything from health infrastructure to road conditions, including the development of grey zone mappings to reduce the high rate of traffic accidents in the country.

Discussions with students ranged from how to bring data out of the “walled gardens” of the big tech firms and allow it to be leveraged by passionate social entrepreneurs who want to use that data to train machine learning models for improving the society, to how future leaders at Fuqua, who come from developing nations like Nicaragua, can help their countries benefit from the global AI revolution.

She also spoke at length about the various “smart” initiatives that have been undertaken by the Indian government over the last five years, such as the Smart Cities Mission and CityStack, and how these initiatives are collaborating with each other to usher in a digital age in India.

From the discussion, it was amply evident that Nivruti is incredibly passionate about leveraging AI to solve several of the economic and societal challenges that plague India and the world. Conversations with my fellow classmates after the discussion echoed my feelings—we were truly inspired by Nivruti’s lifelong dedication and passion towards the subject. She is a role model for anyone that is looking to positively impact their communities through technology. We felt empowered to uncover our passions and solve the most pressing problems of the world.

The post How Hosting the Top Technology Advisor to the Indian Government Transformed Me appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.

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17 Dec 2019, 12:00

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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: Design Thinking Beyond Fuqua: 3 Takeaways from IDEO’s CoLab Makeathon

Serving on the cabinet of the Design & Innovation Club is one of my favorite extra-curricular activities at Fuqua. Guiding my classmates through design thinking workshops is extremely rewarding, and has given me the chance to hone my own design skills as well. The opportunities I’ve had through the Design & Innovation Club prepared me to represent Fuqua earlier this year at IDEO CoLab’s Spring 2019 Makeathon in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The Makeathon was a full day of mini design sprints focused on emerging technologies. Participants spent the day prototyping solutions for challenges related to the future of work, financial inclusion, the circular economy, and other future-focused topics. There were lots of Post-its. There were lots of buzzwords. There were also a lot of great questions, surprising insights, and provocative prototypes. I left feeling inspired and optimistic about the future that we have the power to build.

Here are a few main reflections that I took away from my day at CoLab.

1. Prototypes can help you explore alternate realities.

At the start of the Makeathon, all 64 participants were divided into teams of four. Each team was given a problem statement and was tasked with designing a solution to their problem. Seven hours later, each team had built a scrappy-yet-functioning prototype of their solution using a combination of code, cardboard, circuit boards, and whatever other materials they found laying around the lab.

The idea of rapid prototyping is one of the cornerstones of IDEO’s methodology. The basic notion is that, by turning a rough idea into an even rougher tangible artifact, you can get new insights by watching people interact with the prototype and by interacting with it yourself. You can then build these insights into future iterations of the product.

The Makeathon put the value of this idea on full display. At the start of the day, the CoLab team showed off one of their recent prototypes: a blockchain-enabled firearm dubbed “The Glockchain”. If you’re rolling your eyes at this, I think that’s kind of the point. As understood by the CoLab team, prototypes are provocations. They’re intended to make you take a potentially outlandish idea seriously, to consider the implications, and to ask questions that you may not otherwise have asked.

The concept of prototype-as-provocation expanded my understanding of what prototypes are for and when they’re useful. Prototypes can be about testing solutions, but they can also be about inspiring questions. They can be tools of exploration, not just tools of refinement. Prototypes allow you to hold a little bit of alternate reality in your hand and to experience what the world might feel like under a different set of rules. And then, if that new world feels right, they can help you get started on building it.

2. Diversity is essential to designing a future that works for everyone.

The Makeathon was something of a diversity paradox. On the one hand, the variety of cultural and professional backgrounds represented in the room was staggering. My fellow participants hailed from China, Mexico, India, Italy, Singapore, the U.K., and elsewhere. They worked in fields as varied as architecture, politics, computer science, extreme sports, fine art, education, and neuroscience. This was a serious asset when it came to designing our solutions. We all benefited from the outside-the-box ideas that occur when you smash different backgrounds and disciplines together in unexpected ways.

On the other hand, it was impossible not to notice that almost every person in the room traveled to Cambridge directly from an elite American university—nearly all from the east coast, mostly from New England. Inevitably, an event like the Makeathon will only be as diverse as the elite institutions that it sources from. And these institutions are still hardly representative of the global population.

My team experienced this fact as a practical impediment. As we worked to design a better process for making salary decisions, we found ourselves asking whether the solutions we were throwing around would be applicable to blue-collar workers. Or, for that matter, anyone who didn’t spend the bulk of their workday behind a computer. We couldn’t answer these questions.

But the elite nature of the Makeathon also gets at a deeper problem, an uncomfortable truth that has no easy answers: the future is always being designed by the elites. And too often, it’s designed by the elites, for the elites.

Here, IDEO’s human-centered approach to future design offers a ray of hope. What we weren’t able to do during the short 7-hour timeframe of the Makeathon—empathize with the people who would be affected by the system we were designing—is actually the cornerstone of IDEO’s practice. IDEO provides an example of an elite institution aspiring to design a future that works for humanity at large.

The lesson from the Makeathon was clear: diversity is critical not just for generating paradigm-shifting ideas, but for ensuring that those ideas serve the best interests of the many rather than just the few.

3. The design thinking process really works.

Imagine you were asked to sit at a table with three strangers and come up with a totally original, commercially viable venture concept—in just 7 hours. This sounds miserable and fruitless even to me, a self-avowed idealist who loves dreaming of new ideas.

IDEO has managed to craft a process that makes such an endeavor both productive and fun. Beginning with nothing more than a bare-bones problem statement, my team designed and built a functioning prototype for a product that none of us had previously imagined. A product targeted at an industry that none of us were experts in. A product that, in my opinion, has a pretty great shot at commercial success.

This didn’t happen by chance. It’s the outcome of a process that’s been honed over the past 2-plus decades. Many steps in this process have become familiar in modern tech-driven workplaces: user personas, journey maps, “how might we…” statements, divergent/convergent brainstorming, etc. But seeing the process executed so elegantly by so many people in such a concentrated amount of time and space was genuinely magnificent.

When all was said and done, the Makeathon lasted for just over seven hours. But my experience there will inform my approach to innovation for years to come. And it was an excellent complement to the design thinking skills at Fuqua that I’m building through my classes and the Design & Innovation Club.

The post Design Thinking Beyond Fuqua: 3 Takeaways from IDEO’s CoLab Makeathon appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.

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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: Design Thinking Beyond Fuqua: 3 Takeaways from IDEO’s CoLab Makeathon

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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: Why We Founded the Duke MBA Fintech Club

We co-founded the Duke MBA FinTech Club in the Spring of 2018, with the goal of fostering a community passionate about financial technology at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and to create an ecosystem that supports MBA students in pursuing careers within the industry.

Just a year after its founding, the FinTech Club had made significant progress towards many of its objectives. The club, in collaboration with Fuqua’s Career Management Center, increased the number of fintech-related internships and full-time positions being posted at Fuqua, developed many relationships with potential employers, alumni, and industry experts and helped expose students to Fuqua faculty that is focused on the latest research and industry trends.

Over the past few years, Fuqua has been a leader among top business schools in offering fintech-related electives. Professor Campbell Harvey’s blockchain course was the first of its kind and Professor Manju Puri’s elective course, “Raising Capital & Financial Technology,” explores how recent market disruptions have allowed firms to raise capital in new and innovative ways.

In addition to these courses, another highlight for us was the FinTech Club’s trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the “Fintech and the Future of Banking” conference jointly organized by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship. The conference featured regulators, industry practitioners and researchers with the belief that at the intersection of research and experience lies good public policy.

Professor Puri was not only a key figure in organizing the event, but she was also one of the most exciting speakers at the conference. In her session, she shared a summary of her research paper, “On the Rise of Fintechs – Credit Scoring Using Digital Footprints,” wherein she was able to show the highly predictive powers of our digital footprint and its implications for consumers, firms and regulators. Another one of our Fuqua professors, David Robinson, moderated an insightful panel of experts from the venture capital industry.

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin speaking at the conference

With leading faculty, a strong alumni network, and the recent establishment of the Duke MBA FinTech Club, Fuqua is well on its way to providing MBA students with a complete package in learning about fintech and pursuing a career in this fast-growing and exciting industry.

Prospective students interested in the Duke MBA FinTech Club can find more information in this video we recorded as co-presidents of the club in the fall of 2018:

The post Why We Founded the Duke MBA Fintech Club appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.

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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: Gaining Consulting Experience with FCCP

The Fuqua Client Consulting Practicum (FCCP) is an experiential learning opportunity for students to work on consulting engagements with businesses and nonprofits around the world. First-year and second-year MBAs work in teams to assist client organizations with challenges across a number of industries and fields such as marketing, strategy, and operations. The program also includes courses with Fuqua faculty to learn the best tips and tricks to succeed in this role. FCCP culminates with a final presentation to the client to share recommendations.

Why did I join?

Coming from a career in merchandising in the retail industry, I never had experience with consulting. I came to business school to begin a career in marketing, and FCCP allowed me to get hands-on experience consulting on a real-world marketing problem facing a huge organization. To me, this was invaluable and proved to be a great way to better understand the marketing challenges that organizations face, and also to get my first experience with a consulting project.

What was my experience?

I worked on a project for the U.S. Polo Association (USPA) to increase its marketing outreach to women. USPA was looking for creative ways to reach new consumers and share information about gender equality in the sport of polo. My team did industry research, analyzed internal USPA data, and completed a competitive analysis to develop short-term and long-term strategic recommendations. We were able to impact a number of marketing initiatives from social media to large scale events.

What were your biggest takeaways?

During this experience, I learned an immense amount about marketing for a large organization. However, I think the most impactful learning was the skillset needed to execute a consulting project from start to finish. It taught me about project management which helped me greatly in my summer internship at Frito-Lay. Additionally, it gave me experience presenting key recommendations and insights to C-suite executives. FCCP was one of the most impactful and educational experiences I have had at Fuqua, and it greatly equipped me for future success in my career.

The post Gaining Consulting Experience with FCCP appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.

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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: The Duke-UNC Rivalry Explained

Eight miles separate Duke from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). The Battle for Tobacco Road, as it’s known, is one of the greatest rivalries in college sports or, as I and many others would argue, in all of sports. The centerpiece of the rivalry is men’s basketball, a sport in which both schools have excelled through the years.

But what makes the rivalry so great? Let me hit you with a few stats.

The two teams have been playing each other for a century—the first game was January 24, 1920. According to the NCAA, UNC ranks No. 3 on the all-time wins list while Duke sits at No. 4. The schools have combined to win more than half of all the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships and 50 regular season titles. Oh, and since the 1949-50 season in head-to-head matchups, Duke as scored 13,559 points and UNC 13,581. That’s a 22-point differential over 70 years and 179 games. That stat alone should tell you how great a game it is to watch.

More than 9,000 fans packed into Cameron for the UNC-Duke game

Now, I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit my own story in all of this. Growing up in North Carolina, “choosing your blue” was a part of the deal. In my case, Duke wasn’t chosen so much as it was inherited. My dad graduated from Duke undergrad in 1981 (the first season at Duke for Coach Mike Krzyzewski, as he very often points out). The brainwashing began at birth—at 6 months old, I sat in my bouncer as Duke took home the 1992 National Championship. I’m pretty sure the Duke trivia education started as soon as I was capable of speaking. And by the time I was 5, I had completely rejected wearing “Carolina Blue”—to this day, I do not own anything in that particularly awful shade and will not buy anything that resembles it.

Coming to Duke for business school was the culmination of a life-long dream to be an official Cameron Crazie, as we call our basketball fans. I camped out for season tickets last fall, and you can bet I’ll be in the stands when the two teams play at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 7 (the first meet-up is February 8 at UNC).

While the rivalry hits its peak each year with the two regular season basketball games, it extends across all sports, and, in the case of Fuqua, a very special event in the spring. Each year, Fuqua takes on UNC’s business school, Kenan-Flagler, in the Blue Cup, an athletic competition with more than twenty events including soccer, basketball, kickball, running, and community service, to name a few. Needless to say, I’ve already begun training.

Duke Stores getting into the spirit of the rivalry

If it isn’t already clear, there won’t be a day that I root for UNC. That being said, two of my best friends are Carolina fans. And that is what makes the rivalry the great. Duke and UNC fans are neighbors, classmates, friends, co-workers, and sometimes spouses. We hate each other a few days each year, but we respect each other and know that being a part of a rivalry like this one is unlike anything else in sports. So, Carolina, I hope you lose, but also thanks for the fun.

For more on the rivalry, check out this article, and I also highly recommend HBO Sport’s “Battle for Tobacco Road.”

The post The Duke-UNC Rivalry Explained appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.

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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: The Duke-UNC Rivalry Explained

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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: The Admissions Interview: What to Expect and How to Prepare

The journey to business school starts in many places—for me, it began while riding in the back seat of my dad’s car. But for all MBAs, at some point, it converges on one location: an admissions interview room.

Cue the feeling of anxiety in the pit of your stomach. It is a daunting 45 minutes, I’ll grant you. But it is also an incredibly important way in which our school culture is shared with applicants, and how we build our community intentionally to foster the things that make Fuqua—and our future global business leaders—great. So, to make the interview less scary, I’m here to dispel some of its mysteries and give you a few tips for success.

What to Expect

Whether you interview on campus, or in one of our remote locations, a few things stay the same.

Your
interviewer WILL:

Be a second-year Daytime MBA student or an alumnus of the program. As Fuquans themselves, they are committed to building the school culture by helping select the next class of students.
Keep it conversational. This is not an interrogation—we’re trying to get to know you!
Ask behavioral questions (i.e. “tell me about a time you…”) focused on drawing out your unique contributions to your workplace and community.
Leave time for you to ask questions. We know that you’re evaluating us as much as we’re evaluating you.

Your interviewer WILL NOT:

Have read your application. The only thing they have is your resume. So you can mention things already stated in your application without being repetitive!
Ask questions that have a single correct answer.

At the end of the day, the admissions interview is a mutual assessment of fit with the Fuqua community. So, when your interviewer is thinking about your candidacy, they are asking themselves questions. Do I want this person on my C-Lead team? Would they make a good addition to my alumni network? Would I be proud to connect this person with a recruiter at my company? Will they have a positive impact on Fuqua and the world?

With this in mind, the only way to leverage your interview to get that acceptance phone call is to be yourself! If it wasn’t already clear from the “25 Random Things” essay, the Fuqua admissions office is deeply committed to getting to know you—not your neighbor, or your boss, or some caricature of the perfect MBA student—but you, with all your quirks and passions.

How to Prepare

One piece of advice is this: prepare stories, not answers to specific questions. You never know exactly what your interviewer might ask, but you can bet that the best answer is always going to highlight a tangible example from your career. So, think through the experiences that shine a light on your leadership, your teamwork, your creativity, and resourcefulness, and you’ll be prepared for any question that comes your way.

Here are a few other tips for what you can do to prepare:

Check out the Daytime MBA blogs!

The good news is, if you’re reading this, you’re already in the right place. Over the last few years, we’ve covered everything from our rivalry with UNC to the definition of “Team Fuqua.” We want to know why you want to join our community, and if you’re not sure, this is a good place to start.

Contact a student ambassador.

We love talking about what it means to be a student at Fuqua! Set up a brief phone call with one of us, and I promise we’ll answer any lingering questions you have (and maybe make some restaurant recommendations for your interview day as well).

Re-read your resume.

Most likely, all your best professional stories are right there. Don’t worry about being redundant—your admissions interview is a chance to expand on the things you’ve accomplished.

Take 10 minutes and reflect on how you got here.

Applying to MBA programs is no walk in the park—it took some hard work and introspection to get where you are today. So, don’t forget the vision that has motivated you. Be true to your story and you’ll do great!

The post The Admissions Interview: What to Expect and How to Prepare appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.

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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: Tips for Exploring Durham

After living for more than four years in São Paulo—the busiest city in Latin America—I was excited about moving to Durham to try a ‘small-city way of life.’ At the very beginning, I was afraid of not being able to adjust. How would I live without the restaurant and entertainment offerings that only big cities have?

But Durham is so amazing, and now living here is my favorite part of the Duke MBA experience. In addition to the cozy weather all year long and a lot of green everywhere, the “Bull City” has great restaurants, bars, stores, and cultural spaces—and everything is just a few minutes away from you.

As this two-year experience will be over in the twinkling of an eye, here are some tips for exploring Durham so you can make the most of your time here.

1. Save some time to enjoy the city—and book it on your calendar!

You will have a busy schedule, so it is important to plan some time to enjoy the city. You can also use this time to have fun with your family or to get to know your colleagues better. I have a list of all the places I would like to go, and every week I invite some friends to explore one of them. I’m not planning to repeat any before mastering the list!

2. Explore different places to study.

You will spend a lot of time in Fuqua’s Ford Library, but remember to try different places to study. For example, the Sarah P. Duke Gardens and Cocoa Cinnamon coffee shop are great places to read while you explore the city. In addition, all the Duke libraries are worth the visit.

3. Exercise outdoors.

An MBA can be very demanding, and exercising is the escape valve for many students. Instead of just going to the gym, you can use this time to explore your neighborhood and take in some fresh air while you hike or run.

Eno River State Park is great for runs or hikes and the leaves are beautiful in the fall

4. Don’t ask me, just go to Brightleaf Square, The Parlour, and Bull City Burger.

I could give you many reasons to go to these three places in downtown Durham, but I will just give you one for each, and I will trust that you will go there as soon as you move here.

Brightleaf Square: A charming destination with independently-owned dining and shopping options in historic tobacco warehouses.

The Parlour: The best ice cream you will ever have in your life.

Bull City Burger and Brewery: An amazing local brewery with great burgers and the first certified B Corp brewpub in the world.

As a bonus, here are my favorite places in Durham for dining and dessert. For dining, try Vin Rouge. It’s casual yet fancy, romantic but fun, French cuisine. And for dessert, I recommend The Parlour. I know I already mentioned it, but I just can’t live without the salted caramel ice cream anymore.

In general, once you’re here, make sure you enjoy the whole experience. Fuqua has many activities to offer, but the lovely city of Durham also offers you a wide range of entertainment possibilities.

Exploring the city during the annual Day in Durham activities for first-year MBAs
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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: Here’s Why Location Gives Schools Like Duke an Edge

As an alumnus, the question I get asked most by prospective MBA students is whether attending Duke, in medium-sized Durham, North Carolina, will put them at a disadvantage compared to attending school in New York, Boston, or the San Francisco Bay area. It’s not hard to see why prospective students are concerned—these schools tout their locations and romanticize the idea of studying in one of America’s largest cities. But after comparing my experience with those who graduated from schools in those places and others, I’ve found the opposite is true: going to a school in a smaller city is far more beneficial.

Here’s why. When a student enrolls in a full-time MBA program, they are paying for four things: a quality education, recruiting opportunities, meaningful relationships with classmates, and a strong alumni network. When comparing how big-city schools stack up with others, it becomes clear that schools like Duke have an edge.

Coursework

Let’s start with what you learn in the classroom. Although every business school tries to differentiate its curriculum, the differences can be negligible. No matter the school, every first-year student takes intro courses in accounting, finance, economics, statistics, marketing, strategy, and operations. Moreover, these courses often use the same case studies. Mention the infamous cranberry case from your operations class or the chicken contact lenses case from marketing to graduates from any school and you’ll elicit either an exasperated groan or nostalgic grin depending on their memory of it.

Elective offerings vary but not always by a wide margin. Mainstay courses such as Corporate Finance, Negotiations, and Marketing Strategy are found at every school. Other electives may not be as widespread initially, but schools will quickly replicate popular courses from other schools to stay competitive.

Recruiting

Education aside, the biggest concern prospective MBA students have when it comes to location is the impact it will have on recruiting. To assess whether this fear is founded, I encourage you to take a look at the recruiting data.

Do you think you need to be in Manhattan to get a job in investment banking? In a particular year I looked at, one school in the city sent 3% of its graduates to work at Goldman Sachs. But that’s lower than the 5.7% a school in the countryside a few hundred miles away sent there. Is your goal consulting? A Boston-based school sent 26 graduates to McKinsey the same year Fuqua sent 36. Is the tech industry your next move? Not surprisingly, 33% of graduates from one Silicon Valley school took tech jobs, but in the same year a school in the South 1,500 miles away matched that number. The big takeaway is that companies will find the best talent no matter where it is. If they can hire good people, they’ll make the trek.

Your Classmates

Building meaningful relationships with classmates is one of the most important categories but can be the least valued, at least initially. Often, it is much later that students realize their classmates are the most willing group of people in their network to help them advance in their careers in both the short and long term. Based on many conversations with peers who went to big-city schools, the ties that bind classmates together there seem to be weaker than those at schools in smaller cities.

While there are likely many reasons for this—many major metropolitan schools tend to have larger student populations, for example—I also believe it is a function of location. Generally, students at those schools meet most of their friends during the first few weeks of school and then hang out together for the remaining two years. For entertainment, they turn to the city, frequenting off-campus bars, restaurants, and other venues and are less likely to organize and attend school events. In some cases, students who end up attending school in the same large city they’ve lived and worked in opt to hang out with existing groups of friends instead of with classmates.

At schools like Fuqua, almost everyone is new to town and arrives on campus ready to start anew. Since students have less competition from off-campus entertainment options, they attend more school-sponsored events and organize their own activities. At Fuqua, student-run clubs plan mountain climbing expeditions, white water rafting trips, leadership training overseen by the U.S. military at nearby Fort Bragg, weekly dinners, and the iconic Fuqua Friday tradition. These activities provide students with more opportunities to meet people outside of the classroom, where it is easier to build relationships and reinforce the ties that bind classes together.

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A post shared by The Fuqua School Of Business (@dukefuqua) on Aug 1, 2019 at 8:49pm PDT

Alumni Network

And these student ties lay the foundation for a strong alumni network, for which schools like Duke are known. As a former university development director, one of the first things I learned is how to identify the alumni most likely to give back—in dollars, in volunteering, and helping current students get jobs. The key was to identify alumni that have a deep emotional connection with the school. Because schools in smaller cities have more opportunities to facilitate emotional connections between students and the school itself (as discussed earlier), alumni at these schools tend to punch above their weight. And we see this in the data. In survey after survey, even though they can be fewer in number, students at schools like Duke rank their alumni networks just as highly as students at big-city schools rank theirs.

Additional Considerations

Beyond the four categories of education, recruiting, classmate relationships, and alumni networks, students attending schools in smaller cities come out ahead in other ways. For example, the cost of living can be significantly lower. Attending business school and living in Manhattan for two years would have set me back $193,000 in 2014, when I graduated. While at Fuqua, I rented a bedroom in a house near campus for $312.50 a month while paying tuition that was about $20,000 less over two years. That translated into a smaller student loan and huge savings in interest since I am able to pay off more of my principal each month.

And finally, there is the intangible benefit of cultural exposure. Many MBA students will likely live, work, and attend school in the same handful of large cities. Most will never take a job in Durham, or the other smaller cities occupied by top business schools.

Truth be told, I probably never would have lived in the American South had it not been for Fuqua. And that would have deprived me of the many rich experiences that have shaped me. This includes the more whimsical such as my love for bluegrass music and discerning taste for barbecue and the more serious such as witnessing the impact the opioid crisis is having on Southern and Midwestern towns. All of these experiences have helped me grow into the person I am today, added depth to how I see the world, and made my MBA education more meaningful. Living in North Carolina was arguably the most important factor in shaping my two years of business school but the hardest to quantify. Nevertheless, experiencing life in a place that is different from where you are from or where you are likely to live post-MBA should be a part of every prospective student’s list of criteria when selecting a school because of the value it can bring to the two years of study.

So, to wrap up, here’s my advice: if you are considering business school or any form of higher education, think about what you want out of your educational experience and re-evaluate your options. If you find your list lacks schools in smaller cities, add a few, visit campus, and talk to students at those programs. You may be surprised how going to a school like Duke can change your life in more ways than you thought possible.

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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: 5 Pieces of Advice for European Applicants

European applicants have a lot to consider when applying to business school. Should they stay in Europe or go abroad? Should they pursue a one-year or two-year degree? Many members of [url=https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2019/09/26/adrien-hauswald/3-resources-to-help-international-applicants-find-the-right-mba-program]Fuqua’s European Club[/url] (myself included) were grappling with these very questions when applying to MBA programs. We’ve put together a few pieces of advice for prospective students, and we hope this information will be helpful as you consider this next step in your life and career.

1. There are some key benefits to studying in the U.S.

“MBA programs in the U.S. attract a very diverse group of people from around the world with different experiences and backgrounds. All of this diversity is brought to the class discussion. I wanted to learn from classmates that have different experiences and perspectives on problem-solving.” – Matea Ferk, Croatia

“Business schools in the U.S. have a reputation for being the best in regards to the academics and resources available to students. When I was looking at MBAs both in Europe and in the U.S., I felt that the U.S. schools provided a more immersive experience that encourages your growth both professionally as well as personally.” – Federico del Bono, Italy

“I had the experience of studying abroad through Erasmus before and knew I wanted to experience studying in another country again. Additionally, U.S. schools are always ranked highest globally and have unbeatable networks and brand names.” – Fiona Cruickshank, U.K.

[img]https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/04/Advice-for-Europeans-Wine-Club.jpg[/img]
A French-themed wine tasting

2. A two-year degree can benefit your career and network.

“My job before the MBA was different—regarding its industry, function and geographical location—than what I wanted to do after graduation. Because of my desire to shift careers, I felt that a two-year MBA would provide me with a unique opportunity. I could intern for the summer, proving to my future employer that although my work experience prior to the MBA wasn’t as relevant, I was able to fulfill and excel in a new job function, in a new industry, and in a new country! It is a much smaller risk for employers to hire you as a summer intern than for a full-time role.” – Federico

“I wanted a two-year program to enable me not only to do an internship and try something different but also get involved in different clubs and activities and explore my interests. I am an ‘industry switcher’ so I wanted the opportunity to have an internship to try something completely different and still have my second year to cement my direction and career decisions.” – Fiona

“Business school is an incredible experience. I wanted it to be longer, not shorter. I wanted to develop new skills, build new relationships, and find a new job. I didn’t want to rush through it.” – Saule Agdauletova, Russia

“I believe the two-year program is an essential part of the MBA experience. The extra time allows for considerably more opportunities to fulfill goals, take on challenges, and build relationships.” – Ben Phillips, U.K.

3. Consider the values of the community you want to join.

“I came to Fuqua mainly because of [url=https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2018/04/09/bill-boulding/what-is-team-fuqua]Team Fuqua[/url] and the supportive community, and it exceeded my expectations.” – Matea

“The maturity and open-mindedness that students show on a daily basis never ceases to impress me.” – Ben

“I love the ethos here. You hear all about Team Fuqua—and that is undoubtedly true and evident throughout all you do here. For me, though, this encompasses so many intangibles above and beyond everyone looking out for and helping each other (which they do!). Our faculty is funny, relatable, and approachable—we laugh a lot in class and I’ve found my professors want to know you, chat with you, and help you. That surprised me and it’s such an underrated but important part of the ‘feel’ of learning here.” – Fiona

[img]https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/04/Advice-for-Europeans-Club-Fair-at-BDW-1024x1024.jpg[/img]
Our European Club information booth at Blue Devil Weekend

4. Location will impact your MBA experience, so decide what matters to you.

“I have never been bored here! There are so many things to do.” – Saule

“What surprised me the most about Durham was the variety of activities you have only a short drive from campus. If you are like me, and you have always lived in big cities, [url=https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2020/03/26/eric-nakano/heres-why-location-gives-schools-like-duke-an-edge]don’t discard Duke just because it’s not in a big city[/url]. I almost made this mistake, luckily I didn’t, and trust me, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me!” – Federico

“Durham has been one of the more [url=https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2016/02/04/michal-shtofman-aviram/5-things-about-durham-thatll-surprise-you]surprising things[/url] about coming to Fuqua. I thought it was a small town and wouldn’t necessarily have great shops, restaurants and a variety of activities. I couldn’t have been more wrong. It is way bigger than I thought and there is literally everything you’d want here, from amazing nature and outdoor scenery to great bars and restaurants, great malls—even axe throwing!” – Fiona

[img]https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/04/Advice-for-Europeans-Oktoberfest.jpg[/img]
Oktoberfest! Prost!

5. Get connected with schools that interest you.

“I would advise applicants to [url=https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/student-network/daytime-student-ambassadors]reach out to current students[/url] or alumni to understand more about the school, the benefits of the two-year MBA program, and how it can accelerate your career.” – Matea

“Connect with the Europeans at Fuqua for honest advice and perspectives.” – Fiona

“Talk to as many people as you can, and find out as much as you can before applying. I made my decision to come to Fuqua after visiting for [url=https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2015/11/12/shakira-chanrai/why-visiting-fuqua-and-attending-blue-devil-weekend-is-invaluable]Blue Devil Weekend[/url]. I would highly recommend making the effort to visit as you won’t regret it.” – Ben

The post [url=https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2020/04/15/adrien-hauswald/5-pieces-of-advice-for-european-applicants/?category=admissions]5 Pieces of Advice for European Applicants[/url] appeared first on [url=https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba]Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog[/url].

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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: Here’s Why Location Gives Schools Like Duke an Edge

#fuquaorientation #dukefuqua #teamfuqua #dukestudents

: @photoc4

A post shared by The Fuqua School Of Business (@dukefuqua) on Aug 1, 2019 at 8:49pm PDT

Alumni Network

And these student ties lay the foundation for a strong alumni network, for which schools like Duke are known. As a former university development director, one of the first things I learned is how to identify the alumni most likely to give back—in dollars, in volunteering, and helping current students get jobs. The key was to identify alumni that have a deep emotional connection with the school. Because schools in smaller cities have more opportunities to facilitate emotional connections between students and the school itself (as discussed earlier), alumni at these schools tend to punch above their weight. And we see this in the data. In survey after survey, even though they can be fewer in number, students at schools like Duke rank their alumni networks just as highly as students at big-city schools rank theirs.

Additional Considerations

Beyond the four categories of education, recruiting, classmate relationships, and alumni networks, students attending schools in smaller cities come out ahead in other ways. For example, the cost of living can be significantly lower. Attending business school and living in Manhattan for two years would have set me back $193,000 in 2014, when I graduated. While at Fuqua, I rented a bedroom in a house near campus for $312.50 a month while paying tuition that was about $20,000 less over two years. That translated into a smaller student loan and huge savings in interest since I am able to pay off more of my principal each month.

And finally, there is the intangible benefit of cultural exposure. Many MBA students will likely live, work, and attend school in the same handful of large cities. Most will never take a job in Durham, or the other smaller cities occupied by top business schools.

Truth be told, I probably never would have lived in the American South had it not been for Fuqua. And that would have deprived me of the many rich experiences that have shaped me. This includes the more whimsical such as my love for bluegrass music and discerning taste for barbecue and the more serious such as witnessing the impact the opioid crisis is having on Southern and Midwestern towns. All of these experiences have helped me grow into the person I am today, added depth to how I see the world, and made my MBA education more meaningful. Living in North Carolina was arguably the most important factor in shaping my two years of business school but the hardest to quantify. Nevertheless, experiencing life in a place that is different from where you are from or where you are likely to live post-MBA should be a part of every prospective student’s list of criteria when selecting a school because of the value it can bring to the two years of study.

So, to wrap up, here’s my advice: if you are considering business school or any form of higher education, think about what you want out of your educational experience and re-evaluate your options. If you find your list lacks schools in smaller cities, add a few, visit campus, and talk to students at those programs. You may be surprised how going to a school like Duke can change your life in more ways than you thought possible.

The post Here’s Why Location Gives Schools Like Duke an Edge appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.

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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: 5 Pieces of Advice for European Applicants

European applicants have a lot to consider when applying to business school. Should they stay in Europe or go abroad? Should they pursue a one-year or two-year degree? Many members of Fuqua’s European Club (myself included) were grappling with these very questions when applying to MBA programs. We’ve put together a few pieces of advice for prospective students, and we hope this information will be helpful as you consider this next step in your life and career.

1. There are some key benefits to studying in the U.S.

“MBA programs in the U.S. attract a very diverse group of people from around the world with different experiences and backgrounds. All of this diversity is brought to the class discussion. I wanted to learn from classmates that have different experiences and perspectives on problem-solving.” – Matea Ferk, Croatia

“Business schools in the U.S. have a reputation for being the best in regards to the academics and resources available to students. When I was looking at MBAs both in Europe and in the U.S., I felt that the U.S. schools provided a more immersive experience that encourages your growth both professionally as well as personally.” – Federico del Bono, Italy

“I had the experience of studying abroad through Erasmus before and knew I wanted to experience studying in another country again. Additionally, U.S. schools are always ranked highest globally and have unbeatable networks and brand names.” – Fiona Cruickshank, U.K.

A French-themed wine tasting

2. A two-year degree can benefit your career and network.

“My job before the MBA was different—regarding its industry, function and geographical location—than what I wanted to do after graduation. Because of my desire to shift careers, I felt that a two-year MBA would provide me with a unique opportunity. I could intern for the summer, proving to my future employer that although my work experience prior to the MBA wasn’t as relevant, I was able to fulfill and excel in a new job function, in a new industry, and in a new country! It is a much smaller risk for employers to hire you as a summer intern than for a full-time role.” – Federico

“I wanted a two-year program to enable me not only to do an internship and try something different but also get involved in different clubs and activities and explore my interests. I am an ‘industry switcher’ so I wanted the opportunity to have an internship to try something completely different and still have my second year to cement my direction and career decisions.” – Fiona

“Business school is an incredible experience. I wanted it to be longer, not shorter. I wanted to develop new skills, build new relationships, and find a new job. I didn’t want to rush through it.” – Saule Agdauletova, Russia

“I believe the two-year program is an essential part of the MBA experience. The extra time allows for considerably more opportunities to fulfill goals, take on challenges, and build relationships.” – Ben Phillips, U.K.

3. Consider the values of the community you want to join.

“I came to Fuqua mainly because of Team Fuqua and the supportive community, and it exceeded my expectations.” – Matea

“The maturity and open-mindedness that students show on a daily basis never ceases to impress me.” – Ben

“I love the ethos here. You hear all about Team Fuqua, and that is undoubtedly true and evident throughout all you do here. For me though, this encompasses so many intangibles above and beyond everyone looking out for and helping each other (which they do!). Our faculty is funny, relatable, and approachable—we laugh a lot in class and I’ve found my professors want to know you, chat with you, and help you. That surprised me and it’s such an underrated but important part of the ‘feel’ of learning here.” – Fiona

Our European Club information booth at Blue Devil Weekend

4. Location will impact your MBA experience, so decide what matters to you.

“I have never been bored here! There are so many things to do.” – Saule

“What surprised me the most about Durham was the variety of activities you have only a short drive from campus. If you are like me, and you have always lived in big cities, don’t discard Duke just because it’s not in a big city. I almost made this mistake, luckily I didn’t, and trust me, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me!” – Federico

“Durham has been one of the more surprising things about coming to Fuqua. I thought it was a small town and wouldn’t necessarily have great shops, restaurants and a variety of activities. I couldn’t have been more wrong. It is way bigger than I thought and there is literally everything you’d want here, from amazing nature and outdoor scenery to great bars and restaurants, great malls—even axe throwing!” – Fiona

Oktoberfest! Prost!

5. Get connected with schools that interest you.

“I would advise applicants to reach out to current students or alumni to understand more about the school, the benefits of the two-year MBA program, and how it can accelerate your career.” – Matea

“Connect with the Europeans at Fuqua for honest advice and perspectives.” – Fiona

“Talk to as many people as you can, and find out as much as you can before applying. I made my decision to come to Fuqua after visiting for Blue Devil Weekend. I would highly recommend making the effort to visit as you won’t regret it.” – Ben

The post 5 Pieces of Advice for European Applicants appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.

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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: The Duke MBA: A Leadership Lab for Personal Growth and Development

In February, my MBA Association (MBAA) Co-President Mike Treiser and I were speaking to a classroom full of prospective students about leadership opportunities at Fuqua. Just before the session, I had found out one of my best friends was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

I decided to be candid in the session about where I was personally, describing the reality that Fuqua is in no way impenetrable to outside forces, be it personal to our own lives or the lives of billions around the world. But these forces, good and bad, only further reinforce the supportive community values instilled in every Fuqua student. They also aid in providing a real-world ‘leadership lab’ here at Fuqua, where students can get first-hand experience in crisis management, humility, and embracing vulnerability as leaders.

As I write this—entering my fifth week of working with Mike on the MBAA to represent and lead our student body without seeing each other in person other than a wave from across a grocery store parking lot—I can’t help but think those words have never been more true. Overnight, the entire script of how to be an in-person community that prides itself on meaningful interpersonal relationships and candid, open dialogues was thrown out the window. Mike and I, along with our incredible 11-person cabinet, hardworking administrators, and supportive classmates came together to create a virtual Fuqua Family. In a very short period of time, we organized virtual [url=https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2011/04/02/mike-ferguson/friday-im-in-fox]Fuqua Fridays[/url] accompanied by toasts from esteemed community members, at-home cooking competitions, book clubs, weekly trivia, exercise classes, movie nights, dance parties—the list just keeps going.

[url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B-QNx36l60M/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading] View this post on Instagram[/url]

[url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B-QNx36l60M/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading]Forza Fuqua. Passerà. Have strength, it will pass, was the toast given by Professor Pino Lopomo to kick off Fuqua Friday this evening. [img]https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/12.0.0-1/72x72/1f44f-1f3fd.png[/img][img]https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/12.0.0-1/72x72/1f37b.png[/img]#teamfuqua #fuquafromhome[/url]

A post shared by [url=https://www.instagram.com/dukefuqua/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading] The Fuqua School Of Business[/url] (@dukefuqua) on Mar 27, 2020 at 3:10pm PDT

While the MBAA would have loved to have an [url=https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2018/10/15/taylor-donner/bonding-and-goals-at-the-mba-association-retreat]in-person start to our roles[/url], I am all for seeing the silver lining. The COVID-19 crisis has given each of us a crash course in crisis management and leadership in times of uncertainty while we’re in Fuqua’s leadership lab. So I’m sharing just a few of the many lessons I’ve come to learn these past several weeks while handling the COVID crisis with my fellow student leaders.

In times of crisis, give yourself the time and space to process your own thoughts and feelings.

After returning from spring break, the COVID crisis escalated really quickly. I found myself playing whack-a-mole with emails, phone calls, and texts about everything ranging from virtual classes, coursepack deliveries, virtual events, and next year’s [url=https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/fuqua-shifts-start-dates]schedule change[/url]. It’s easy in a crisis of this scale to throw yourself into work and leave little to no time for yourself.

At the recommendation of a wise classmate, I started setting strict rules and boundaries to create time each day to process what is going on. For me, music has been a great route for unplugging and checking in with the inevitable emotional impact of a global pandemic (Joni Mitchell, Maggie Rogers, and Max Richter are some personal favorites). I personally have felt an incredible sense of loss, but I’ve been inspired and touched by the kindness and vulnerability of our classmates as we have come together to support each other through these trying times.

If you can’t be proactive, make sure you are thoughtfully reactive.

Especially during the first week or two of this term, it felt like information and updates from the CDC, local government, and school were coming at us a mile a minute. During times of crisis, proactivity becomes nearly impossible, but the scenario still demands quick decisions and action.

Assistant Dean [url=https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/bloggers/steve-misuraca]Steve Misuraca[/url], who has been a trusted mentor and friend to Mike and me throughout all this, taught us the critical first step in the face of new information: a five-minute breather. This simple reminder to process information before taking action has helped me make more thoughtful decisions with a clear mind. For you U.S. history buffs, I call this my mini [url=https://www.battlefields.org/learn/primary-sources/lincolns-unsent-letter-george-meade]Lincoln Letter Moment[/url]. For fans of “The Office” television series, it’s like when Pam waits to transfer a call to her boss Michael Scott: “Sometimes I don’t put Michael through until he’s already said something. I look at it as a practice run for him. He usually does better on the second attempt.”

Thankfully we have co-presidents for the MBAA and clubs here at Fuqua, and Mike has been my Pam since day one on the job [img]https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/12.0.0-1/72x72/1f60a.png[/img]
.

[img]https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/04/Sarah-Izzo-Leadership-Lab-zoom-1024x576.jpg[/img]
A familiar site on Zoom

It’s okay to make mistakes, but transparency, honesty, and humility are non-negotiables.

Transparency was always a key mission for the platform Mike and I put together. However, it has taken on a whole new meaning in a virtual world with COVID. These past few weeks we’ve been faced with many questions where the answer is (1) likely to change in the future, (2) still in discussion, or (3) completely unknown.

I quickly learned the best answer is the truthful one, even if it’s “I don’t know.” For example, the schedule change for next year will certainly have implications for clubs and their planning. We’re still having discussions about what the fall will look like from a student activity perspective. Over time, we will continue to know more and more.

But sometimes answers change, or they don’t exist at all yet. I have found the best conversations result from honesty and transparency, rather than well-polished responses where we act as if we know everything. Because anyone who tells you they’ve got all the answers at a time like this is most definitely lying.

As I reflect on these lessons, among many others, I am grateful to be part of a community that prides itself on being truly student-led. This leadership lab has given me a safe space to make mistakes, try out new things, and develop my own personal brand of leadership—an experience that I will benefit from long after graduation. But more than anything, I am blessed to be working alongside the leaders that make up the entire Fuqua community. Everyone has been working tirelessly to make sure their corner or section of Fuqua keeps running in this virtual world. This power of teamwork, resilience, and a supportive community in the face of adversity is maybe the most important lesson of them all.

The post [url=https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2020/04/20/sarah-izzo/the-duke-mba-a-leadership-lab-for-personal-growth-and-development]The Duke MBA: A Leadership Lab for Personal Growth and Development[/url] appeared first on [url=https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba]Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog[/url].

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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: Battling the Impact of COVID-19 the Fuqua Way

I was on my way to Portugal when COVID-19 concerns escalated into worldwide panic. My classmates and I had just finished our spring break trip to Morocco, and when I landed in the U.S. after changing our plans, we were informed the plane would be held at the gate since there were passengers who had shown symptoms of COVID-19. Thankfully, the passengers had preexisting conditions that explained the symptoms, and we were sent on our way. For me and my peers, that meant 14 days of self-quarantine, just to be safe.

During those 14 days we watched as the world quickly changed around us. Stores ran out of toilet paper, access to food and water became front of mind, friends were quarantined in foreign countries, and the reality of isolation caused many to experience anxiety and depression. We watched an entire country shut down, as Italian doctors were forced to make unthinkably difficult decisions to prioritize patients.

Yet, I live in a nice apartment, with plenty of food and a 6-month supply of toilet paper thanks to a Costco run at the start of the school year. My family is healthy—I am extremely fortunate. Let’s briefly put it into perspective.

This pandemic will—and has—unquestionably affected the most vulnerable populations among us at a disproportionate rate. Nearly 11 million American children live in “food insecure” households, which means they lack reliable access to food. In many cases, children depend on the meals served public schools to eat each day—schools that are now shut down. That’s not to mention the countless small businesses who have laid off employees (in the last month more than 22 million people have filed for unemployment—that’s nearly all of the jobs added from the 11-year bull market), homeless individuals who are at increased risk for not having access to food or shelter, and many, many others who are going to seriously feel the effects of this virus not just now but for years to come.

Battle No. 1

There are two key battles that stand out to me. The first is keeping medical workers safe. As I see it, keeping medical workers safe is tantamount to narrowing the “U-shaped” recovery we hear about. The need to prevent the overextension of hospitals and keep medical professionals from getting the virus means that social-distancing must stay in place longer (it’s also important to slow the virus spreading, period). And while it is critical for all of us to continue to socially distance, we must also be aware that the ability to do so is linked to one’s economic circumstances.

Since COVID-19 protection requirements have increased, the cost of personal protective equipment (PPE) has gone up dramatically. According to one analysis, PPE costs have increased by more than 1,000%. The $1,200 government funding checks likely wouldn’t cover PPE costs for a front-line worker if they wanted to use them to protect themselves. But the more important message is this: we can’t require those who are on the front lines of this battle to protect themselves when our society has not given them the resources to do so. It is our responsibility to protect those who are serving every day to protect us.

Battle No. 2

The second battle we fight is emotional, and it is just as important. While extensive research is lacking in this space, experts are concerned that social-distancing measures may trigger or worsen mental health conditions. Watching the news feels like a Catch-22. Incessantly reading about or viewing the events that are happening creates a real sense of anxiety for many, and yet constantly changing circumstances require us to be informed. So how do we fight battle No. 1 while not falling victim to the very real psychological tolls of this pandemic, the feeling of helplessness in the face of this event?

How We’re Fighting the Battles

Dean Boulding constantly refers to the DNA of a Fuquan as being composed of an Intellectual Quotient (IQ), Emotional Quotient (EQ), and a Decency Quotient (DQ). What Fuqua does best is challenge us to use the first two in support of making the world a better place. Our leadership, knowledge, and platforms are only as valuable as their potential to do good for the world around us. And what about our ability to do so? That’s the decency quotient. And it became apparent that my peers and I could do just that for this pandemic. We could fight the battle to help keep our medical professionals safe, and the battle to keep ourselves mentally safe.

That’s why I’ve started the Fuqua Beard Fundraiser. The concept is simple—my peers and I are growing our beards through May. Donors can contribute to the fundraiser and tag their donation to one of three hilarious beard styles. We’ll shave our beards into the winning selection at the end—live for everyone’s entertainment! That’s how we fight battle No. 2.

We fight battle No. 1 by donating 100% of all proceeds to Direct Relief. Direct Relief is an international humanitarian organization with a COVID-19 relief fund dedicated to providing protective gear and critical care medications to as many health workers as possible, as quickly as possible. You can learn more about its efforts here and contribute to our fundraiser here.

A Fuqua Bond

When we first got to Fuqua, one of our professors asked us to value our MBA. Being the star-eyed business students that we are, we all tried a discounted cash flow analysis, which quickly evaporated as we learned that it is hard to identify the value of a network on our own life. But we missed something else—the value of the positive externalities our community creates on other people’s lives. In times like these, it’s important that we all realize that what bonds us as Fuquans, what makes Fuqua a valuable community, is that we are all dedicated to using our IQ and EQ to be decent and to do good for the world. So, whether through this fundraiser, supporting a business through free consultations, delivering meals, or something else, one common characteristic of Fuquans is that we strive to leverage our platforms to do good in this time of need.

Stay safe.

The post Battling the Impact of COVID-19 the Fuqua Way appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.

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FROM Fuqua Student Blogs: How Fuqua Forged Ahead During the Pandemic

COVID-19 has obviously been an unprecedented situation for the whole world. And of course, this means life as usual at Fuqua was impacted too. However, we wouldn’t be where we are if we weren’t resilient in the face of such daunting odds. Whether it be the professors, the Office of Student Life, or the students, the entire Fuqua family came together and forged ahead during what probably will be one of the most challenging, yet interesting terms at Fuqua. And here is the story of it.

The Classroom (AKA Zoom Room) Experience

Fuqua, and Duke overall, were quite ready and able to switch to Zoom when the situation escalated at the end of our spring break. All our classes throughout Spring Term 2 were conducted on Zoom. There were of course initial hiccups as people were testing the waters, but within one week, it became a rather pleasant experience. We all kept our videos on, and we showed up as if we were in the actual classrooms. The professors were initially teaching from their offices or classrooms in Fuqua and later as the local lockdowns were initiated, they started teaching from their study rooms in their own homes.

Zoom classrooms were quite fun. Some professors preferred we ask questions in the chat, while others encouraged unmuting and participating more directly in the discussions. Some would take pauses during the classes to let you ask questions as well. One thing that didn’t change with the migration to Zoom was the 15-minute break at the 1-hour mark. Class would start on time and end as usual, and students could stay on longer and ask questions if they had time. Professors would make individuals or teams hosts of the session if we had to present anything. For team related events (such as negotiations), they used the breakout room feature, which worked well. However, my favorite part of the Zoom experience was the virtual backgrounds that people had during that time and the fun we had with it.

One thing that was even more impressive was the number of guest lecturers we had during the term. As all sessions were online, it was easier for us to invite people from both academia and industry. The highlight for me was when we had Myron Scholes, Nobel Laurate, 1997 in Economics, visited our class and spent an hour discussing both his Black-Scholes option model and other things in finance.

View this post on Instagram Loved hearing the stories and insight @dukembb Coach K shared this week as part of our Distinguished Speaker Series! Leadership requires humility and teamwork, even when you’re regarded as one of the experts of your trade

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A post shared by The Fuqua School Of Business (@dukefuqua) on Apr 16, 2020 at 9:05am PDT

Exams also moved online. Some exams were already designed to be taken at home so that didn’t change in any way. But ones that were designed to be conducted in classrooms were conducted live on Zoom—that included switching your video on and working as usual.

Aside from classes, the sessions led by teaching assistants were also held on Zoom, and it was done via screen share or sharing notes via the document scanner. Our meetups with student mentors and fellows were done through Zoom or other online conferencing options as well.

The Outside-the-Classroom Experience

An integral part of any MBA is the experience outside the classroom. As best it could, Fuqua continued with this as usual. One of the biggest outside-the-classroom experiences is the weekly happy hour social, Fuqua Friday. This tradition continued at the normal time (Friday at 5:30 p.m.) via Zoom. A lot of people showed up every time, even with their partners for the event. Marquee events like the Culinary Club’s ‘Iron Chef’ event were also conducted during the designated Fuqua Friday time. The events were creative and people chit-chatted with each other, keeping the spirit of Fuqua Friday alive.

Trivia Thursday was a new addition to major Fuqua events where a specific group of people prepared questions and we could participate via a team competition on Zoom. Forming teams was up to us, so we could play with friends across class sections or just play with our C-Lead team. Points were scored and noted and you would find out at the end which teams won. It was a great way to stay connected to our classmates as well.

Catch up with our COLE leadership fellows was also online. Interviews for club leadership and fellow positions and recruiting-focused lunch and learn sessions presented by clubs all happened online. The frequency of club events during our lunch break from class didn’t change at all.

However, at the end of all this, we did miss some events, such as the annual Fuqua Idol talent competition. However, the goal now is to host the biggest Fuqua Idol ever next year.

Other Changes at Fuqua

All the main resources at Fuqua were available regularly. Career Management Center coaches were available for ‘walk-ins’ and chats as most of our summer internships pivoted to online. The Office of Student Life and registrars continued to help us as usual. We were given the choice of opting in or out of letter grades for the term and that helped people focus on their subjects without being too anxious about the new academic environment.

Durham

COVID-19 cases in the area never got out of control, and essential services continued in the city without any hiccups. Groceries and utilities were readily available at stores. Delivery continued and there was minimal disruption to daily life.

Group Gatherings and Travel

Unfortunately, most of the non-Fuqua events had to be abandoned or changed dramatically. Travel and treks planned for the weeks between the end of class and the beginning of internships and jobs were canceled. The tradition of going to The Tavern on Tuesday nights and Shooters on Friday were postponed. Durham County issued a stay at home order for everyone. You could go out for urgent things of course—such as trips to the doctor, or getting urgent items—but otherwise had to be home by 5:30 p.m.

However, students came up with new ideas to stay connected. A friend started an online cooking class where he would send out an ingredients list ahead of time and everyone could follow him on Zoom as he showed you how to prepare the dish. Personally, my C-Lead team started a virtual Friday lunch where we would just get together to stay in touch and chat about classes and other topics.

There ended up being a few virtual Tavern Tuesdays as well. There were virtual tours all around. The world came to a stop. We didn’t.

What Now?

We wait, and we pray, hoping for the order of things and the world to go back to normal. Orientation for the Daytime MBA Class of 2022 has been moved to August 31. My second-year classes will resume later than orginally planned on September 29. The graduates in the Class of 2020 were celebrated online for the time being, with the goal being to give them a more fitting farewell in person soon.

So we will wait to welcome the new batch of MBAs as warmly as we can. We will wait for Fuqua Reunions next spring to welcome the Class of 2020 back home. We will wait for a lot of things now, but we have the support of Team Fuqua to help us pass the time.

The post How Fuqua Forged Ahead During the Pandemic appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.