Sergio Rios

What do you do professionally?

I work in Corporate Finance, supporting the PC hardware business in North America for Amazon.com. This is my third role in the company so far. I joined the MBA finance leadership development program upon graduation from Fuqua, and I've had the chance to explore diverse areas. My first role was supporting Kindle Content and my second role was supporting the Office Products business. My entire career has been around corporate finance; before Fuqua, I worked for Deloitte Mexico in audit and I was the Corporate Controller in Trumpler, a German company in the chemical industry.

What is the most enjoyable part of your job?

The innovation that happens in Amazon is just unbelievable. I enjoy being part of an organization that is truly making history, reshaping the way people shop around the world. I like the fast pace and the challenges that arise on a daily basis, and last but not least the people I work with. I have had the chance to collaborate with extremely smart and driven people.

What is the biggest challenge you face?

I have to deal with competing priorities on a daily basis. Figuring out where and how to allocate my time in an ambiguous environment is definitely a big challenge. I also think it is challenging to work in a different country where I don't speak my first language. Being out of my comfort zone is not easy, but it is something that I really enjoy as it helps me to grow, both professionally and personally.

What is the best professional advice you've received?

When I just started my career as an intern at Deloitte back in Mexico, one of the office partners was a great mentor and helped me open my mind and understand the opportunities globalization will bring to my career and my life in general. Back then it was a very new concept, but thanks to many conversations with him I got to understand that if you work hard and aim high, situations like geographical location, financial challenges, culture or language shouldn't limit your potential.

Aside from your current role, what is your dream job?

Most of my friends have completely deviated from what they expressed as their career goal in their Fuqua admission essays. I'm an exception in that regard. My career aspiration is to become a CFO, and I'm working hard to someday get there.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I really enjoy spending time with family and friends. Other passions in my life include traveling, dining out, soccer and movies. I have been continuously exploring the Pacific Northwest the last three years, enjoying all the amazing outdoor activities.

What is the most important thing you learned during your time at Fuqua?

I learnt the value of working in a diverse team. In this day and age nobody can succeed alone. Everyone, no matter how smart or educated, needs other people with different skill sets. The Fuqua experience provides the perfect environment to put yourself out of the comfort zone and learn from others while you are immersed in a group of extraordinarily talented and humble people.

Who was your favorite professor?

There were so many that it would be unfair to mention just one. To mention just a few, I really enjoyed the Game Theory class with David McAdams, GIE with Jennifer Francis, and Raising Capital with Manju Puri.

What is your favorite Fuqua memory?

The Campout and Fuqua Idol. Campout is one of the greatest Fuqua traditions that combines several things that are key to the Duke MBA experience: team effort, Duke Basketball and having a great time building a community. Fuqua Idol is also a great memory. The sense of accomplishment after finishing the academic year is combined with an amazing party that celebrates the amazing talent of Team Fuqua.

What does Team Fuqua mean to you?

Team Fuqua is what helped me live a real transformational experience during my two years at Duke. I learnt a lot from my peers there, whether it was the team rooms, classrooms, the leadership cohort meetings or the GATE trip to China. Team Fuqua means a group of exceptional human beings that want to make a positive impact in the world. It means a network for life and to know that I have friends in every corner of the world.