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%)
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Collier Wright
"Take advantage of every opportunity to build relationships. The education is excellent, but the relationships are invaluable. The WEMBA program in particular offers an opportunity to meet, and learn from, some of the most accomplished and interesting people from a wide range of industries and personal experiences."
Executive Director
TruLab
Weekend Executive MBA
Class of 2024
Industry:
Health Technology
Prior Education:
Slippery Rock University
BA, History
BA, History
Hometown:
Cary, NC
Nationality:
USA
Reflections
As an Army officer, I had the pleasure of working with several Fuqua MBA grads whom I respected and who spoke highly of the program. They repeatedly emphasized the degree to which Fuqua emphasized teamwork, collaboration, and leadership when compared to other programs.
When I returned to the Raleigh-Durham area in 2018, I was introduced to many more Fuqua alumni in various roles and industries: entrepreneurs, tech leaders, product managers, sales leaders, and consultants. Without exception, they lauded the quality of the program and emphasized the amazing relationships they developed as much as the top quality education they received. While I knew that Fuqua had a great reputation at large, and had a strong network and brand, my decision to apply to the program was influenced far more by my personal relationships and the respect I had developed for so many Fuqua alumni in my life. It was the only program I applied to because I knew without a doubt it was the tradition and community I wanted to be a part of building.
One of my classmates is a neurosurgeon. To see someone at the top of his field—and one of the most challenging and demanding fields in the world—choose to pursue an MBA for no other reason than his insatiable curiosity and desire to have a greater impact in his industry, has been an inspiration to me. Throughout the program he has continuously challenged me to refine and expand my goals and to define the impact I want to have, both in business and in life. The opportunity to build deep relationships with such accomplished and inspiring people is what makes the WEMBA format so truly unique.
Before Fuqua
Before attending Fuqua, I gained tremendous experience in go-to-market operations in the (BankTech) industry as a product manager, senior sales engineer, and enterprise account executive. What I gained at Fuqua was a better understand of executive decision-making.
After Fuqua
What I learned at Fuqua, and the network I developed, gave me confidence to branch out and take on additional responsibility. I've recently accepted a management role in a new industry (HealthTech) at a Durham-based company, and I'm excited to apply everything I've learned.
5 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your WEMBA Experience
- Prepare before residencies. This is foundational to the rest of this list. The more prepared you feel coming into a residency, the more confident you will be taking advantage of emerging opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.
- Ask your questions. There is a wealth of material on the internet from incredible sources. The unique opportunity of WEMBA is that you can interact with the world class minds behind that knowledge. Don’t miss the opportunity to get all your questions answered.
- Leave your room. Don’t treat the program like a task list to be accomplished. Much of the learning happens outside the classroom. Resist the urge to relax in your room after a long day, and instead spend time with your fellow students.
- Get to know the faculty and staff. Your fellow students are not your only opportunity to grow your network and build lasting relationships. The faculty and staff are incredible people with amazing stories. Take some time to get to know them.
- Connect outside your field. WEMBA is unique in that your fellow students have spent years or decades becoming proficient in their fields. Expanding your range is rarely a wasted effort; there’s often a key insight you can bring back to your own field.
Typical Class Demographics
Weekend Executive MBA
Age Range
28-45
Work Experience
5-20 years
Students with Advanced Degrees
32%
Countries Represented
19
Women
27%
