After serving in the Brazilian Army as an electronic engineer, Isabella Chapira (Fuqua, ‘22) decided to pursue an MBA to transition to a career within the tech industry, and ended up selecting Duke University (Fuqua) to get her MBA. Throughout the very beginning of her search, she found a genuine connection with Fuqua students and alum. During this interview, Isabella spoke about her decision to pursue an MBA, how she landed on Fuqua, and her advice to prospective MBA students on how to select the right business school.
MBASchooled: What did you do before business school, and why did you choose to come to business school?
I served in the Brazilian Army (Military) as an electronic engineer. Over the past eight years, I had the opportunity to live many challenging and unique experiences in the Brazilian Army. However, I realized that I wanted to keep growing and making an impact outside of the military. Business school is the best place for me to translate all my Army and engineering knowledge to pivot to an impactful career in the tech industry. So, coming back to school for an MBA was just a perfect fit for what I needed.
MBASchooled: Why did you choose to attend Fuqua?
I took the audacious attitude of applying just for Fuqua, so it is clear that I completely love the school. I have three main reasons for why Fuqua. First, I want to pivot my career to the tech industry, and Fuqua has an expressive employment rate within the industry and a high presence of big techs on-campus recruitment. Second, I felt an instantaneous fit with Fuqua’s culture and values (Team Fuqua) and had a genuine connection with alumni and students I talked to. Finally, my husband is also a student at Fuqua, so we came as a couple.
MBASchooled: What was your decision process like? (When did you find out, were you considering other schools, when did you make your final decision?)
After talking with many students and alums, researching, and profoundly reflecting about what I wanted to take from my MBA experience, I decided to apply just for Fuqua. I recognize that was an audacious decision (and I do not recommend it), but I was willing to take the risk and reapply the next year if I was not accepted.
MBASchooled: What resources were most helpful to making your decision? Did you talk to any people that were especially helpful?
I talked with many students and some alums, which helped me learn about the school and its location (pros and cons) from a candid perspective. I also talked with admission people during virtual events, which helped me learn more about the school in aspects such as academics, career center, and extracurricular activities.
MBASchooled: Did you attend any virtual admitted students events? If so, what were those like? Were they helpful?
I attended some virtual events, and it was very helpful to learn more about the schools and be aware of what school was the best fit for me. I highly recommend attending the most number of events from different schools.
MBASchooled: Now that you’ve been at Fuqua for a semester, is there a specific moment or highlight where you felt confident that you made the right decision?
I felt that I made the right decision since the beginning when I realized how supportive people are. I confirmed this belief during the internship recruiting process, where even though we are all “competing” for the same spots, I saw everyone helping each other. The 2nd year students also made lots of mock interviews, coffee chats, and time talking and supporting us. This is what “supportive ambitious” means in practice, and that is what I love the most about Fuqua.
MBASchooled: Oftentimes, the word “culture” gets thrown around when talking about MBA programs. Can you characterize the culture at Fuqua? Can you share an example of an experience that you think personifies what this means?
The culture at Fuqua is very strong. I believe that admissions put a lot of effort in selecting people that share the same values in collaboration, supporting each other, and most of all, people who believe that decency is the essential quality for every leader.
Here at Fuqua, we deeply value our honor code and the “Team Fuqua” spirit. Team Fuqua connects every Fuqua student and alum and makes me confident that wherever I need, now or in the future, I will have someone to help and support me.
MBASchooled: Obviously, it’s a little more challenging to find out what a school or program is like as a result of COVID-19. What advice do you have, or what specific actions would you recommend admitted students take, to really get to know a school before selecting a school?
I recommend them to attend the most number of virtual events possible and define a list of schools that interest them. After that, the best thing to do is talk with as many students and alumni as possible. I am talking with several students that want to apply for Fuqua next year. I am sure that any current student or alum will be happy to speak and give them their perspective.
MBASchooled: What’s something you wish you knew more about before starting your MBA at Fuqua?
I wish I knew how intense it would be when the MBA started and had worried less about it before it started. I recommend to all to enjoy moments with family and friends before the MBA. The MBA journey is transformational, and the learnings are incredible, but you have to know how to handle so much in so little time. And during the MBA time is the most precious thing.
MBASchooled: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to recently admitted MBA students about how to make the best possible admissions decision?
My advice for them is to enjoy every moment, even the hardest ones. It passes really quickly, and it is easy to feel overwhelmed by so much to do in so little time. It is essential to prioritize wisely and let go of what you can not control. Your MBA journey will be much easier if from the beginning you understand that your path is just yours, and comparing to others is impossible. Everyone has their own pace and goals. The important part is finding yours and working hard to achieve it.
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