HireFuqua, Fuqua's CMC Newsletter | Duke's Fuqua School of Business

In this Edition:

A Career Coach's Perspective: Five Ways to Build an Employer Brand Students Remember

When employers think about MBA recruiting, they often focus on candidates with traditional pre-MBA backgrounds. Yet some of the most adaptable and innovative hires come from talent pools that are frequently overlooked.

I’ve been coaching MBA students through the recruiting process for more than a decade, so I’ve heard a lot of things students have said—both good and bad—about employer events. Here are five things you can do to execute the kinds of events students talk positively about:

1.Share insights students can’t find online.

Students can now learn a great deal about employers and roles before ever attending an event (try this for fun: ask ChatGPT to create a recruiting deck for your employer/role; you may be surprised by how good it is). When an employer moves beyond data points/insights that are easy to find, and instead focuses on ones that aren’t, students notice…and they appreciate the feeling that comes with getting an “insider’s view” of an organization.

2.Help students get smarter about the career…not just your employer.

Learning about individual employers is nice, but students really like learning how professionals within a broader industry/career path operate. For example, a CPG company hosts an annual store walk for Fuqua MBAs, during which its employees break down how brands execute in a retail environment. Not only does this make the host organization look good, it helps students have smarter conversations with marketers at other CPG companies. Simply put, students love leaving events smarter than they were when they entered…and that goodwill lasts.

3.Help them envision a career path, not just an entry point.

It makes sense to focus on the specific role for which students are applying, but our students have decades of work in front of them. Looking beyond the first rung or two on the career ladder helps students imagine “what might be”, and seeing where a career can eventually take them might make them more willing to explore a role that feels like a bit of a stretch at their current age and stage. Sharing alumni stories is a particularly good way to do this.

4.Make it easy to connect with people on the inside.

Students enjoy connecting with people at target employers, but sending cold outreach emails can be uncomfortable. Making it easier to engage with insiders removes that barrier and generates excitement among students. This can be done by having students complete a simple form during a recruiting event and then matching them with employees for 1:1 conversations.

5.Honor their engagement with transparent communication/status updates.

This applies to the full arc of engagement, not just individual events, but there’s nothing worse than attending several recruiting events, having good conversations with employer representatives, and working hard to submit a high-quality application…and then hearing nothing back (especially if classmates are receiving updates). If you’re not ready to give a definitive answer (perhaps because you’re waiting for other candidates to decide), tell them they’re on a waitlist; that’s better than leaving them to wonder where they stand or if they’ll ever hear back.

Ultimately, students remember employers who respect their time, help them learn, make genuine connections possible, and communicate with candor. These experiences help build employer brands students carry with them…and talk about with others.

Employer Playbook: MBA Networking Receptions & Expo

At Fuqua, employer events are designed to help you connect with students in different ways. Our Networking Receptions create space for conversation and relationship-building, while the Employer Expo gives you the opportunity to share your story through a presentation before continuing the conversation at the networking reception.

A little preparation can help you make the most of every minute.

➡️ Before you arrive: Prepare your team.

Make sure everyone attending understands the event format, target student populations, key messages, and recruiting timeline. Think about the different perspectives your team can offer and consider inviting recent MBA alumni, former interns, or recent hires who can speak authentically about their experiences and career paths.

It’s also helpful to prepare for the questions students are likely to ask about the work, team culture, recruiting process, application timeline, and opportunities for career progression.

➡️ During the event: Inform, engage, and connect.

For the Employer Expo presentation, use the 30 minutes to give students something they can’t find through a Google search. Share a real business challenge, a current project, an internship experience, or a “day in the life” perspective and leave plenty of time for questions. Then, continue those conversations during the reception by helping students connect what they heard to the work and opportunities within your organization.

At a busy Networking Reception, clear branding, including signage, tablecloths, or take-away swag, can make your organization easier to find. But a welcoming presence matters just as much. Consider having someone from your team greet students and invite them into the conversation.

Remember to make the conversation about the students, too. Ask about their experience and look for opportunities to learn more about them. A simple question such as, “What section are you in?” can create a more natural connection and give you something to build on beyond standard recruiting questions.

➡️ After the event: Make the next step clear.

Students are often keeping track of multiple employers, opportunities, and recruiting timelines. A simple slide or handout with important dates, application links, recruiting contacts, or ways to stay connected can make a meaningful difference.

After the event, take a few minutes to identify students or contacts who merit follow-up. Answer outstanding questions, share application information, or connect students with additional members of your team while the conversation is still fresh.

Thoughtful preparation before an event, genuine engagement during it, and timely follow-up afterward can help your team make a stronger connection with Fuqua students.

➡️ Join us on October 7th - Learn more & Register!

Meet Fuqua’s Business, Climate, and Sustainability Leaders

Fuqua is proud to welcome the inaugural class of the Master in Business, Climate, and Sustainability (MBCS) program, which launched in July 2026. This accelerated, 10-month, cohort-based program is a joint offering of Duke’s Fuqua School of Business and Nicholas School of the Environment.

MBCS students learn to see business decisions through a climate and sustainability lens. They build the analytical and strategic skills to understand how organizations create value, manage risk, measure environmental impact, navigate policy, and lead sustainable operations. Through an integrated curriculum and client practicum, students apply this learning to complex, real-world environmental challenges—preparing them to turn sustainability goals into meaningful business action.

The inaugural cohort will complete the program in May 2027 and will be seeking full-time opportunities. We welcome employers interested in engaging with these emerging business and climate leaders through recruiting events, coffee chats, practicum opportunities, or by sharing relevant job opportunities.

➡️ To explore ways to connect with MBCS students, please contact mbcs-careers@duke.edu.

Fuqua’s Employer Toolkit: Resources for Recruiting Success

Whether you're new to recruiting at Fuqua or a long-standing employer partner, the Employer Toolkit provides practical resources to help you reach and attract top talent.

➡️ Looking for a more tailored approach? Connect with a Career Services Specialist to discuss your organization’s recruiting goals.

Welcome Courtney Sullivan, Darien Bradley, and McKenzie Brush!

Courtney Sullivan joins Fuqua as Senior Career Specialist for Master in Business, Climate, and Sustainability (MBCS) Career Services. Darien Bradley joins as Career Services Specialist for Specialty Master’s Programs. As part of the Specialty Master’s Career Services team, Courtney and Darien will strengthen employer partnerships, support student success, and help deliver an exceptional recruiting experience across Fuqua.

McKenzie Brush joins the CMC as Project Assistant. She will coordinate recruiting events and interviews across Fuqua’s MBA and master’s programs, helping ensure a seamless experience for our employer partners.

Congratulations to Amber Riley!

Amber Riley has been promoted to Director of Employer Engagement.

Drawing on a decade of experience in employer engagement at Fuqua, Amber brings a thoughtful, strategic approach to understanding employer needs and developing relationships that support long-term success. We look forward to her continued leadership and the positive impact she will make in this expanded role.

For the full 2026-2027 recruiting calendar, click here.

Insight & Expertise:
Perspectives from Duke

Gain insight from Duke faculty and industry thought leaders on talent strategy and building better workplaces.

➡️ Duke's Fuqua School of Business to roll out OpenAI-powered classroom analysis tool this fall, By Emma Thompson | EDTech Innovation Hub
Duke University's Fuqua School of Business is expanding an AI-enabled classroom system to every classroom in the school this fall, after raising funding to upfit the facilities.

➡️ Fuqua Kicks Off This Year’s ClimateCATALYST Program, By Meghan Marrin | Poets&Quants
Jessica Wingert, program lead for the ClimateCAP Initiative at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, says the program was designed to give students a baseline before student life starts getting busy. “There is a widely recognized academic benefit to getting exposure to these complex climate and business topics before getting on campus,” she says.

➡️ Building a Career in Media, Entertainment, and Sports: The Alumni Leading the Way, By Laura Lane, Fuqua CMC Career Coach for Media, Entertainment and Sports | Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog

Alumni at Nike, Amazon Music, The Washington Spirit, AMB Sports & Entertainment and 3C Ventures share what it takes to navigate and grow in these highly competitive industries and the skills and perspectives that drive success.

➡️ The Psychology of Dressing Well: Why Your Outfit Matters More Than You Think, By Nour Al Ayin | IntelligentHQ
Research from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business (Prof. Keisha Cutright) revealed that more formal attire boosts social confidence, which in turn affects our actions.

CMC LI