Maggie McCarthy
"The learning has extended beyond the basics of the core curriculum, as I feel that I have grown not only as a student, but also as a person and leader. My MMS experience has pushed me to strengthen my interpersonal skills that I know will be vital in team-based business environments that I hope to pursue."
MMS: Foundations of Business
Industry:
Prior Education:
Harvard University
Economics
Why I Chose Fuqua
I chose to attend Fuqua because of Team Fuqua. Growing up playing team-sports, I have always appreciated working collaboratively with others towards a common goal. Fuqua’s team-based approach is not only reflected in the classroom group work, but the whole community, including classmates, professors, and alumni. Everyone is deeply invested in each other and the place itself.
Fuqua also fosters a balanced academic approach. While everyone cares deeply about academics, people also value their social, athletic, and extracurricular lives. While I entered the program with a strong sense of confidence in my leadership abilities, Fuqua’s unique team-based learning approach, which demands dynamic leadership and collaborative skills, has helped me translate that beyond the court and playing field. The coursework has been academically challenging on an individual level, but more importantly it stretches students to embrace the team-based approach that translates to business in the real world.
Before Fuqua
My prior internship experience influenced my decision to pursue MMS because it helped me learn more about my career passions. I interned in various finance roles including investment banking, sales & trading, and venture capital. Through my experience, I learned that I wanted to pursue a career centered on team and strategic problem-solving. The degree offered an opportunity to acquire foundational business skills and work alongside diverse and highly intelligent people, while further pursuing my professional passions.
After Fuqua
As a graduate of the MMS program, I will be continuing my studies at Fuqua in the Accelerated MBA program. Next year will be the first time in my life that I will not be an active athlete on a sports team. While I loved competing, I am excited to further pursue my career interests, while also staying closely connected to Duke athletics. Being a member of the Fuqua community for another year will provide the opportunity to deepen my interpersonal connections that I have created with professors and my fellow classmates, which I have come to value highly.
5 Tips for Maximizing Your Time at Fuqua
- Introduce yourself! Meet one-on-one with each of your professors during the term. It is a great opportunity to form relationships with your professors and it is a great way to learn more about them!
- Get to know your classmates. Find time to spend time with your Fuqua teammates outside of the classroom. Go for a walk, enjoy a nice dinner, or play some pickleball!
- Raise your hand in class. Sit towards the front of the classroom and stay engaged during class. Don’t be afraid to get an answer “wrong.” All the professors are friendly and love to hear your thought process. Active participation will help you get the most out of your learning.
- Have fun! Remember to prioritize “having fun” outside of the classroom. MMS hosts various social events which is a great opportunity to meet classmates outside of your Fuqua team and bond over common interests.
- Attend speaker events. Fuqua offers many opportunities to hear from professionals that appeal to a wide range of career interests. Make the most of your time at Fuqua.
Fuqua’s Supportive Community
Durham has a special feeling to it that you don’t fully appreciate until you live here. In fact, I feel like it is the perfect place to be a graduate student specifically because of its diverse, communal feel. After growing up and spending four years of undergrad in Cambridge, Durham offers a nice change-of-pace as a graduate student. The nature of the community provides a unique learning environment. It gives you the opportunity to reflect, learn, and absorb everyone and everything around you, which is invaluable to young, curious students.
The area is filled with unique people ranging from professors to classmates, to random people sitting in the coffee shops. It feels as though every time I am studying in a coffee shop, I see people smiling in groups. Durham is special in this way that it exudes a sense of community among people from such a diverse range of backgrounds and a shared pride in Duke.