Drake Davis
“Coming from a non-traditional business background, I was concerned I would be a step behind my classmates, who I assumed would have business analytics experience. I was surprised to learn about the wide range of professionals pursuing this degree. The applicability of the core concepts of the MSQM program touches all industries, and the diverse cohort offers a variety of perspectives to the practical application of the coursework.”
MSQM: Business Analytics
Industry:
Prior Education:
Miami University
Diplomacy / Global Politics
Reflections
I knew I wanted a master’s degree in business that would enhance my professional skills in organizational leadership and management and would prepare me for life after the military by giving me credibility in the private sector. Fuqua’s MSQM program stood out to me for its emphasis on linking data to decision. As I compared programs, I kept coming back to data to decision – a skillset which, to me, answered an increasing demand signal from the Navy for competent commanders who can balance the art of command with the science of command. The MSQM program met my needs as a business degree while addressing emerging skillsets as more data becomes accessible to leaders in every industry.
Before Fuqua
I am a Surface Warfare Officer currently serving as the Operations Officer for Naval Surface Group Southeast. I’m responsible for the planning, coordination, and supervision of staff activities relating to the organization, employment, and operations of 11 guided missile destroyers. I oversee a team of 10 staff members and 11 shipboard operations officers to ensure force generation and management requirements are met to support rotational deployments.
After Fuqua
I plan to continue my career as a Naval Officer I, using my degree to improve my ability to lead sailors and tune my ability to digest complex data to inform sound decisions. I hope to use my degree to train my team on how to effectively use data to produce tools that enable the commander’s decision cycle.
Advice for Prospective Students
My best advice for prospective students is to consider the entirety of Team Fuqua. The community extends well beyond the program you choose to complete. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the entirety of Fuqua. Fuqua's resources are comprehensive and robust. These resources, along with the community values, were the deciding factor for me!
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
Non-US Citizenship
Women
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
Non-US Citizenship
Women
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
Non-US Citizenship
Women
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%)