MBASchooled Ambassador Profile: Getting to Know Nasim Mirzai

This year, we’re going to be featuring and introducing our MBASchooled Ambassadors. Read more below

Before attending Fuqua, Nasim Mirzai (Fuqua, ‘21) worked in the art world and at several art galleries in New York City. After deciding she wanted to build her business skill set, she applied to MBA programs and landed at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. In this interview, Nasim spoke about her reasons for pursuing an MBA, why she chose to attend Fuqua, and her advice to admitted MBA students and individuals who are considering an MBA.

MBASchooled: What did you do before business school? How did you discover that an MBA could be a good career option?

Before Fuqua, I studied Art History at NYU and then worked in the art world for five years. I worked across several art galleries and became the director of a small one in Brooklyn. I was doing a bit of everything and driving key business decisions, so a lot of my business skills were self-taught through discovery and experimentation. As an art director, I was very intentional about taking a data-driven approach to affect change and scale our potential. 

I experienced firsthand how embracing different tools and technologies really helped the gallery expand its presence and footprint, and that helped me realize that tech is at the intersection of everything. The art world led me to my interest in tech, and I decided the MBA was the right next step for me if I wanted to transition into this industry.

MBASchooled: Ultimately, why did you choose to go to business school and get an MBA?

I loved working in the art world and still really miss being connected to the creative community. However, while I felt I had created an appreciable impact in the art world, I knew an MBA would allow me to really scale my impact and work on large, global projects. I’d reached a limit to what I could accomplish in my role, so I was excited to explore what I could achieve next with the help of an MBA. I feel like I will always remain connected to the arts, whether or not I directly work in this industry, and hopefully, the MBA will allow me to give back to this community down the road.

MBASchooled: Talk about the MBA application and admissions process. What was that experience like?

Intimidating! I didn’t know many other people who had applied to an MBA program with a similar profile as mine, and in the beginning, I had a lot of doubts about whether I would be accepted to any programs or whether my skills or experiences would be valued. As I began attending more MBA events and speaking to more current students, I began to learn more about what an MBA would entail and what I should expect. 

It was really important to speak with a lot of people and learn as much as possible about the process and experience of being a student because this enabled me to explain why I needed an MBA. I spent the most time just thinking about the “why” and making sure I crafted a compelling and credible narrative for my application essays. Besides this, I worked very hard studying for the GMAT, and I was fortunate to meet current students who were willing to mentor me throughout the process.

 

MBASchooled: Think back to the MBA application process. What’s something you know now, that you wish you knew then?

I wish I had been more confident, and I had spent less time worrying about whether or not I would get accepted to any programs at all. I found so much of the language around “non-traditional” applicants online to be discouraging and demotivating, so I hope anyone reading this with a “non-traditional” background feels encouraged to apply!

 

MBASchooled: What were the most important criteria for you when selecting MBA Programs to apply for?

I’d say my top two criteria were community and alignment to my career goals. In regards to the community, I wanted to attend a school in which I’d feel welcomed and accepted. It was important for me to visit the schools to see if I could envision attending. I made sure to speak with many current students, and I was most drawn to the schools that had enthusiastic students that were willing to help. 

In regards to alignment to career goals, I knew it was important to attend a school that would help me achieve my goals. I knew I wanted to transition to tech, so I researched my schools and made sure they had alums who worked at the companies I was targeting, and I learned more about the resources they provided specifically to my career track.

 

MBASchooled: Why did you choose Fuqua?

Fuqua definitely checked off the boxes for the two criteria I mentioned above. Additionally, I was fortunate to attend “Women’s Leadership Weekend,” which greatly affected my decision. I got the sense that Fuqua was a tight-knit community and that I would receive the care and attention I was seeking in a business program. 

I liked the idea of attending a business program with a smaller class size because I wanted to create close bonds with my classmates. I also had the sense that tech recruiting at Fuqua was strong, and I have been thoroughly impressed with all the resources we receive for this career track. Our Career Management Center Tech Sector Director and Tech Club are fantastic resources – I’ve been so impressed with the support we receive.

MBASchooled: Most applicants understand why culture is important, and to look for it, but what specifically stood out to you about Fuqua?

All the students I reached out to as a prospective student responded to my emails and were happy to chat. They were enthusiastic when speaking about Fuqua over the phone and many of them offered their continued help during the application process. Since coming to Fuqua, I’ve learned that this “pay it forward” mentality is really central to the community, and I received so much help from second-years when I was recruiting as a first-year. 

This year, all the second years are working very hard to help our first-years, especially during this difficult time. Many of us empathize with them about the additional challenges they are facing in their first-year that we did not have to face. I think this is really special about our community.

MBASchooled: What’s been the most interesting/fun/meaningful experience you’ve had so far at Fuqua?

One of the best experiences has been befriending the members of my C-lead. As a first-year, you are grouped into a team of 5-6 students and you complete all your first-semester classwork with them. My C-lead is incredibly diverse, and I consider each of my team members a close friend, and I know I can reach out to them for just about anything. I know we will all keep in touch after graduation. In general, the best part of my experience has been getting to know my classmates and making new friends from all over the world.

Additionally, I have really enjoyed the experiential learning opportunities at Fuqua. Last year, I worked on a strategy consulting project for RTI International, which was very exciting. Our team of Fuqua students worked closely with our client and executives at the nonprofit, and I learned so much as the Client Liaison for our team. 

Currently, I am interning as a Product Marketer with GradGab, a startup launched by Fuqua alumni. I love how receptive the three co-founders have been towards my ideas, and it’s great to contrast my experience at this tech startup with my summer internship experience with Amazon. Opportunities like this have really helped supplement my resume and diversify my skill set.

 

MBASchooled: Due to COVID-19, MBA applicants know they need to engage virtually with schools to learn about them but what should they be looking to learn or looking to get out of those opportunities?

I’d say you should first understand what your top criteria and goals are for the MBA, and then make sure you find a school that really aligns with these well. You will know if a school is a right fit for you if you continually engage with the school during the application process. I would advise spending extra time making sure that your dream companies recruit at the schools you are targeting or have alumni working there now. I spent a good amount of time on LinkedIn, and I even asked Fuqua for a list of alums living in NYC (which they were happy to provide!)

MBASchooled: What advice do you have, for students who are considering applying or applying to MBA programs right now?

Make sure you seek out multiple perspectives, and I would also say that school ranking should not be the biggest thing you consider. Be very intentional and thoughtful about the entire application – your GMAT score is only one piece of the puzzle, and I spent a good amount of time on my essays to make sure I was crafting a strong case for myself.