Mengxiao (Michelle) Ma
“One key lesson I’ve learned is to let go of the expectation that things will always go exactly as I wish. People communicate, approach problems, and work in very different ways. While it may take time and effort to navigate these differences and build effective coordination, the process itself is invaluable. “
MQM: Business Analytics
My Program Track
Industry:
Prior Education:
Middlebury College
Why I Chose Fuqua
I first visited Duke University in 2019 for a summer program. As a high school student, I was deeply captivated by the campus and its vibrant atmosphere, and I’ve dreamed of returning ever since. When I was about to complete my double degrees in Economics and Psychology, I thought about pursuing a master’s program that would allow me to combine both areas of expertise in a practical, career-oriented way. One of my closest professors, who earned his PhD from Duke and is a passionate advocate for the school, encouraged me to apply to Fuqua. His recommendation and my fond memories of Duke solidified my decision.
Before Fuqua
In 2023, I interned at companies in France and China and gained hands-on experience in the marketing and sales sectors. I was especially fascinated by evaluating campaign performance and engaging with clients. These experiences solidified my decision to pursue the MQM program to build advanced data analysis and communication skills to better prepare for my future career.
After Fuqua
After earning my degree, I aim to pursue a career in e-commerce or fashion. My goal is to use advanced data analytics and marketing expertise to drive data-driven strategies that enhance customer experience and optimize sales performance.
In the short term, I want to work as a marketing analyst, focusing on analyzing consumer behavior and implementing personalized marketing campaigns. In the long term, I aspire to ascend to a leadership role in which I can shape and execute innovative marketing initiatives. In particular, I envision leading a team that stays at the forefront of industry trends and focuses on strategies that resonate with diverse audiences in the digital marketplace.
5 Tips for Maximizing Your Time at Fuqua
- First, and most important: Engage with the community. Participate in clubs, events, and networking opportunities. Fuqua’s inclusiveness is one of its greatest strengths, so invest in building meaningful relationships with peers, professors, and alumni.
- Seek leadership opportunities with confidence and courage. It can be as small as leading a team project or service as MQMA or club leaders.
- Don’t be shy and talk to professors! They are always open to hearing your opinions and willing to help.
- Your teammates are who you can study the most with and learn from. They will also challenge your perspectives., push you to think critically and support you in navigating both academic and professional challenges.
- Lastly, don’t forget to take some time off and enjoy the vibrant Duke campus, the city of Durham, and beyond. Balancing academics with local exploration will enrich your overall Fuqua experience.
Knowing MQM Was Right for Me
I chose the MQM program to address my long-standing concern about limited coding experience. While my interests had previously been elsewhere, I recognized the importance of mastering programming languages and data analytics tools. Through coursework and hands-on projects, I have gained much more confidence in R, Python, and SQL, and even explored PyTorch. What once felt intimidating has become an area of growth, and I look forward to continuing to enhance these skills.
MSQM:HA students "meet" in Durham without leaving home
Global Executive MBA
Top Areas of Career Focus
Financial Services (20%)
Consulting (5%)
Sales/Business Development (5%)
Energy/Chemical/Gas (9%)
Marketing/PR/Advertising (6%)
Consumer Goods (3%)
Average Age
Average Work Experience
Countries Represented
Women
Non-US Citizenship
Master of Management Studies: Duke Kunshan University
Undergraduate Majors
Business/Accounting (51%)
Economics (22%)
Liberal Arts (14%)
Engineering/Natural Sciences (10%)
Other (4%)
Average Age
Average Work Experience
Countries Represented
Women
Non-US Citizenship
Master of Management Studies: Foundations of Business
Undergraduate Majors
Liberal Arts (33%)
Business/Accounting (24%)
Engineering/Natural Sciences (18%)
Economics (17%)
Other (8%)
Average Age
Average Work Experience
Countries Represented
Women
Non-US Citizenship
Weekend Executive MBA
Top Areas of Career Focus
IT (16%)
Financial Services (14%)
Health Care/Health Services (10%)
Manufacturing/Operations (9%)
Sales/Business Development (8%)
Consulting (8%)