Nasim Mirzai is an MBASchooled Ambassador, and a MBA graduate from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. During our conversation, Nasim shares what it’s like to graduate during the pandemic, and how business school helped her gain self-confidence. She also speaks about her biggest takeaways from the journey and offers advice to future MBA students.
The responses have been edited for brevity and clarity.
MBASchooled: What’s it like to graduate right now?
It’s exciting for the most part, but I am going to miss being a student a lot. Since classes have been virtual for the past year, I’ve grown accustomed to having a lot of flexibility and mobility, and the idea of returning to work is a bit daunting. However, I feel optimistic about 2021, and I am excited to “get back to real life.” I think some structure could do me some good, and I am looking forward to returning to NYC – now with a group of Fuqua classmates who will also be there.
MBASchooled: What’s your favorite memory from business school that you are going to take with you?
It’s hard to choose just one specific memory. I love thinking back to when I first moved to North Carolina, and the feeling of excitement I had to be at Duke. Orientation and Global Institute (a 4-week block of coursework and activities during the summer) were amazing. I formed a lot of my close friendships during that time. I have some really good MBA travel memories too, as well as Team Fuqua moments (times when my classmates have gone out of their way to help or support me.)
MBASchooled: What’s a challenge you’ve faced, and how did you overcome it and what did you learn?
I think the biggest challenge was adjusting to virtual classes and accepting that I would not have a traditional college experience due to the pandemic. At first, I felt very disappointed as my internship went remote, events were canceled, and classes were virtual. It was tough for everyone, but eventually, I found ways to cope with all of these changes and make the most of my MBA experience. This entire experience taught me the importance of being resilient, persistent, and flexible as things were constantly changing and in flux this past year.
MBASchooled: Obviously, COVID-19 impacted all of us, and had us all thinking and working in new ways. What was something unexpected, but positive that came about as a result of COVID-19 for you?
Re-recruiting was extra challenging this year due to the pandemic, but one positive thing about everything going online was that I felt it was easier to network and reach out to people. I strengthened bonds with current classmates and connected with many people I do not think I would have had the opportunity to meet. I think people were more willing to chat, but also could sympathize with my situation of graduating during a tough time and job market. I was impressed by how especially helpful Fuqua alumni were in terms of referring me, coaching me for interviews, and just checking in and giving me words of support. In general, I am really grateful for how the administration handled the pandemic, and I felt they were very communicative, sympathetic, and proactive. We are one of the few MBA programs that will have an in-person graduation, and I am looking forward to the ceremony in a couple of weeks!
MBASchooled: Since you started your MBA, what part of you has undergone the most transformation or change?
I think one of the biggest things is just confidence. The MBA experience moves quickly, and you have a lot of things thrown at you at once. You have to learn to prioritize and be resilient, and now that I have nearly completed this process, I feel confident in tackling the next steps in my career and life. I appreciate all the new experiences I’ve gained and the people I’ve met, which have unlocked new perspectives for me. Career development is only one piece of the MBA experience, and I do not think I expected how much personal growth I would gain as well.
MBASchooled: Who is someone who has made an impact in your time in school, and why?
It’s difficult to name one person – I feel so fortunate to be part of such a supportive community as Fuqua. Michael Wong, the Tech Sector Director at the Career Management Center, is phenomenal. I was in contact with him all year, scheduling quick Zoom chats to give him updates on my recruiting progress and get his advice and support. He genuinely cares about students, and I feel like he goes above and beyond to help wherever he can. My classmate Jon Lautaha was also great support. He started a Slack channel for all second years still recruiting for just-in-time roles, and he created this space for all of us to share tips, network, and encourage each other. Some of my closest friends, Taylor Foster, Nathalia Borges, and Abhinav Verma have supported me through mock interviews and rooting for me. Lastly, my C-Lead has been a very positive part of my experience. I’ve had so many other Fuquans look out for me, and I could not have gotten through these two years without this amazing community!
MBASchooled: Is an MBA worth it?
It was absolutely worth it for me, but it’s a very personal choice. I thought deeply about why I wanted an MBA before I applied to schools, and I did my research. I considered where my career was going and what those roadblocks were, and I determined an MBA would be the right next step for me. I had reached a limit in my career in the art world, and I attempted to switch industries, but I was not getting much traction. I felt pigeon-holed as that “art person” even though I had developed business skills in my career by managing artists and clients. I do not think I would be able to make the switch to product marketing/tech without the MBA. Even when I entered Duke, I still had to do a lot of personal reflection to realize what things were important to me in my career moving forward, what I wanted to achieve, and what kind of work would make me happy. These are all important things that I determined throughout my first and second year of school. I’m relieved that I can now identify these things and that these goals feel realistic and achievable.
MBASchooled: What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in business school?
I think one of the best things business school taught me was to be more confident in myself and my abilities. I felt a fair amount of impostor syndrome when I entered the MBA, but I can now look back and take pride in the things I achieved and everything I have learned. I was terrified to participate in class discussions, but I forced myself to overcome this fear. I had also never moderated a panel or spoken in front of a large audience, and I immediately signed up to moderate a discussion with Mita Mallick, (Duke alum and Head of Diversity at Unilever at the time). Again, I was terrified, but it was a great experience. This took place at the beginning of my first year, and afterward, so many classmates that I had not even met yet, would stop me in the hallway and compliment me about my moderation. It meant so much to me, and that is a nice Team Fuqua moment I will always remember.
MBASchooled: Any parting words?
Good luck to those who are considering applying to MBA programs – it’s a long and tough process but so rewarding! To those who are starting their MBA journey this fall, it’s great to reflect on what you want to take away from your experience and how you want to use this time to try new things and challenge yourself. In terms of personal development, try to befriend classmates from different backgrounds from yours, seek out things you have never tried before, and take on a leadership role or work on that idea/side-project you’ve always been meaning to do. An MBA is such a great two-year break!
Contributor, Julia Kryzan