When asked by your family, friends, and colleagues why you want to go to Duke, what do you tell them? Share the reasons that are most meaningful to you.

My mother is a nurse and my father is a pharmacist; obviously I was supposed to be a doctor. But, knowing that I could never stand the sight of blood, they are satisfied to see that I plan to improve our healthcare system through business. I get excited talking to my parents about Duke, explaining that Fuqua offers the premiere healthcare focused MBA which is going to help me accomplish my long-term goals. The Duke curriculum will provide me the hard and soft skills that I need to succeed, while opportunities outside of the classroom including international experience and healthcare related activities will round out my education and provide me broad industry knowledge. At ABC Consulting firm I learned that sales and marketing do not operate in a vacuum. During one project I consulted a manufacturer that promotes a branded product for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Insurance companies require patients suffering from MDD to try a less efficacious generic product, before starting on a brand. Although we enhanced this company’s payer marketing messages, a strategy across finance, pricing, and contracting was required to improve patient access to the medication. Our recommendations fell short - expertise beyond sales and marketing was required to solve this problem.

At this point in my career, I have been exposed to many business questions in healthcare and I am ready to step back and invest in myself so I can better solve them in the future. Post MBA, I want to continue to work in healthcare consulting broadening my impact beyond sales and marketing. As a Consultant I have developed analytical and research skills, however I do not have the cross-functional knowledge needed to tackle issues such as the one described above. Fuqua’s Health Sector Management (HSM) Program complements my career objectives better than any other business school. I want to transition away from the tactical and focus on the strategic. Elective courses like Economics and Management of the Pharmaceutical Industry can prepare me to understand the dynamics influencing global healthcare businesses, while the core curriculum will provide a foundation in general management. While other opportunities could facilitate my development, Duke’s MBA program, with a focus on collaborative leadership skill development and opportunities to hear from visiting executives in the healthcare industry, will better prepare me with the right knowledge and skills to reach my goals.

Fuqua’s curriculum and class schedule closely align with my personal learning style. While in college, I decided to graduate one full year early - semester long course work did not hold my attention and I was eager to start my career. The six-week terms at Duke simulate real-world business (most of my consulting projects range between six and ten weeks). This fast-paced learning environment will allow me to excel. The curriculum is also flexible; I can balance a deep-dive into healthcare while also focusing on two specific areas: hard quant skills and soft presentation skills. In speaking with an alum (Fuqua ’13) during my visit, he told me about several quant courses offered through the Decision Sciences specialization. Due to the vast quantity of data in the Pharmaceutical industry I have learned to deliver client solutions which are data-driven. I now want to further develop this skill set by broadening my understanding of models and forecasts. Another alum (Fuqua ’13) also spoke appreciatively of the two Management Communications core courses which enhanced her public speaking abilities - an area which I am continually trying to improve. After presenting marketing and sales strategy recommendations to clients, and receiving feedback from my project managers, I have identified areas to improve and these courses would allow me to do so.

While I’ve never worked or studied abroad I am excited about having that opportunity at Fuqua. To gain international work experience, I would target the Global Consulting Practicum. This would allow me to learn about another culture and work with a team to tackle tough questions related to international business. If possible, I would try to select a project in the healthcare sector - understanding how other countries implement healthcare helps me evaluate the US system more critically.

At Fuqua, I want to learn from industry thought leaders. Helping to organize the healthcare conference would put me closely in touch with the guest speakers who come to campus for this important event. My extensive experience in running professional workshops at work would be an asset to this program. I approach organizing a professional event with a keen eye and close attention to detail, ensuring that when participants walk into a room they know exactly what to do and how to make the most of their time. In addition, the professional industry network that I form through HSM will create opportunities for me to partner with others who share a similar goal of improving our healthcare system. At Fuqua, this starts on Day One with the HSM Bootcamp series that will facilitate introductions among the HSM students. Having been through an undergraduate business program, I have seen firsthand how students can turn on one another during on-campus recruitment. This was a top concern of mine entering the MBA application process, however the stories shared with me by Fuqua students during my visit calmed my fears and demonstrated that Fuqua is truly collaborative. Students work together for interview prep. I believe that team building activities like the Global Institute Program and Fuqua Fridays, greatly contribute to the school’s culture and help build unity.

Similar to my search for the right undergraduate school and the right job, I am looking for a MBA program where I can personally make a difference. I choose my college major because it was recently accredited and climbing the rankings; there was still opportunity for a single person to have an impact. ABC consulting firm was a smaller consulting firm and it was supportive of innovative ideas. Fuqua is one of the relatively newer programs. As such, students and alumni take pride in the school and make a life-long commitment to further establishing the brand. When my parents and friends ask me why Fuqua the answer is simple, the program can provide me the toolkit I need to be successful, but is small enough and new enough that I can contribute to its tradition in a meaningful way.