Charlotte Whittaker (Fuqua, ‘20) worked in the financial services industry before deciding to get an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua MBA program. For Whittaker, one of the key pieces that stood out about Fuqua was how the concept of “Team Fuqua” was evident from the very moment she started at Orientation throughout her entire experience there. In this interview, Whittaker shares why she chose Fuqua, what Team Fuqua means to her, and why Fuqua has been a great fit for her MBA experience.
MBASchooled: What did you do before business school, and why did you choose to come to business school?
Before business school I worked in financial services marketing. I was at a credit union valued at $6B. One day I looked around the conference room and realized the best way to advance my career would be pursuing my MBA.
MBASchooled: What characteristics were important to you in selecting the right MBA school?
When I was selecting a business school, geographic location, employer reports and community size were the most important factors I considered. I knew that I wanted a program located in a ‘college town’ with a tight knit community that placed well in the southeastern US. I created a personal scorecard and ranked every program I was interested in on those factors.
MBASchooled: Why did you choose to attend Fuqua?
Fuqua completely aligned with my goals for an MBA program. From the Team Fuqua ethos to the alumni network in Atlanta, on paper it was a perfect fit. When I had the opportunity to visit campus, I was blown away by the sense of compassionate community I experienced starting with the admissions lounge volunteers. Additionally, the Durham community provides an intimate experience while still having nearby Raleigh to attract larger events.
MBASchooled: What about the culture and classmates stood out to you about Fuqua?
Team Fuqua is not just marketing. It is a key piece of the Duke MBA experience and it starts in orientation. I was shocked to see how quickly teams bonded and supported one another. While we all come from a diversity of backgrounds, the culture truly celebrates the collective diversity that all the classmates bring.
MBASchooled: What resources, programs or information were helpful to you in making your decision?
I found the best resource for my MBA decision making process was to have conversations with current students. Many students will give you their candid experience in a program beyond the marketing materials available online. When having conversations, I would ask myself if this was a person I could see myself working with in a team room. That gut check gave me an additional data point to determine fit.
MBASchooled: What parts or aspects of the academic experience attracted you to Fuqua?
I was attracted by the idea of a core curriculum. I do not have a traditional business background and knew I would need the fundamentals to succeed. I also appreciated that Fuqua allows you to specialize after core classes are completed and select a concentration or certificate.
MBASchooled: What has been a surprise, or an unexpected element of your experience at Fuqua?
The real strength of the alumni network. Fuqua is uniquely positioned with access to Fuqua alums and the larger Duke community. In my experience, alumni have been incredibly open and receptive. They help current MBA students develop personally and professionally.
MBASchooled: What programs or experiences at Fuqua have been most meaningful to you in your time at Fuqua?
Being involved on campus was an important goal I set for myself. I served as a COLE fellow at Fuqua, which is a group that works closely with first year teams to facilitate conversations about leadership and ethics. I really enjoyed the opportunity to develop bonds with the first year class and serve as a resource during the stressful first year fall.
MBASchooled: What’s something you wish you knew more about before starting your MBA at Fuqua?
I wish I knew how quickly everything would ramp up. In an MBA program there are constant demands for your attention starting day one. Recruiting, schoolwork, social life, personal life, community involvement, just to name a few. In retrospect, I would have been more protective of my time and really prioritize the opportunities available.
MBASchooled: What advice do you have for those who are evaluating where they want to attend business school?
It is important to determine your north star. When you decide whether that is location, employment opportunity, or financial assistance, you can look at programs more analytically and judge your potential fit. If you are struggling to assess your fit, reach out to current students about their experience. They will be your future classmates or alumni network and the best way to understand the program culture.