Master of Management Studies: Foundations of Business
Undergraduate Majors
Liberal Arts (33%)
Business/Accounting (24%)
Engineering/Natural Sciences (18%)
Economics (17%)
Other (8%)
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Maya Sowells
“The team experience has been one of the most valuable elements of my time at Fuqua. Being on a team isn’t new to me, but this team is by far one I will cherish forever. We’re all very different and bring varying perspectives and outlooks on life. I’ve learned patience and vulnerability with them. They always have my back – inside and out of the classroom.”
MMS: Foundations of Business
Class of 2022
Industry:
Technology
Prior Education:
Wake Forest University
Communication and Entrepreneurship, 2021
Communication and Entrepreneurship, 2021
Hometown:
Greensboro, North Carolina
Nationality:
USA
Why I Chose Fuqua
During my graduate school application journey, I reflected deeply about what was most salient to me and how to make the most of the next year. Growing up a native North Carolinian, I’ve always admired Duke University as an institution. After being accepted, I spent several weeks speaking with Dana, a former MMS student. Not only was she open and honest by sharing the ups and downs of her experience, but she encouraged me to go where I felt most at home. I realized I wanted to be in a community with people who were going to push and challenge me to be my most authentic self.
Before Fuqua
Prior to Fuqua, I gained work experience in the tech-marketing world by interning for three life-changing startups (TINT, PYXL, and Grow Fragrance).
After Fuqua
I aspire to work in the tech industry in either product management or consumer insights. I’m fascinated by the way consumers interact with technology and wish to pursue user experience in the future. The MMS degree seemed like a perfect fit because we cover a variety of topics that give you insights on different career paths and industries.
5 Random Things About Me
- Video editing is a passion of mine that I use for various projects or as a creative outlet. I thoroughly enjoyed when I was able to incorporate my hobby into my class assignments for our strategy final.
- I love understanding consumer behavior and wrote my senior thesis on why consumers respond the way they do to certain media. My favorite class so far is Marketing Analysis, and I can’t wait for Market Research to further develop my skills.
- I was born the day after my mom!
- My goal for the next 10 years is to travel to 15 different countries. Traveling has always been a dream of mine, but being at Fuqua has opened up my eyes to several amazing cultures I would love to see first-hand.
- In my free time I either like to go for nature walks/hikes, write poetry, or binge-watch the latest Netflix show!
What I Love About Being an MMS Fellow
As an MMS Fellow, I’ve bonded with peers outside of my classes and engaged with staff and faculty in Fuqua and Duke University that I may not have had the chance to if I weren’t in this position. My favorite part however, is getting to create and bring to fruition the little moments that make our one-year experience so meaningful. My classmates come to me daily with new visions or activities they’d like to have us do and we get to help make their wishes come true. My favorite activities so far have been Bingo, Breast Cancer Awareness, World Mental Health Day, Underrepresented Minorities dinner, and so much more!
Typical Class Demographics
MMS: Foundations of Business
Average Age
23
Average Work Experience
6 months or less
Countries Represented
27
Non-US Citizenship
43%
Women
49%
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