Yogita Tahilram
“I arrived at Fuqua with hopes of exiting my comfort zone, both personally and professionally. Being in such an enriching social and academic context has pushed me to expand my horizons and has fostered positive growth in me as a person, friend, and leader. I've become more confident in my own skin and more sure of my voice than I've ever been.”
MMS: Foundations of Business
Industry:
Prior Education:
Fergusson College
BA French Language and Literature, 2019
Why I Chose Fuqua
To be very honest, I had a strong gut feeling that it would be the right place for me.
When it comes to more tangible aspects, my decision was greatly influenced by the people I had spoken to when I was applying. They solidified the concept of Fuqua being defined by family and community ties. It showed me that “Team Fuqua” isn’t just a buzzword manufactured for a brochure, and that it not only exists, but is inculcated into everyone who passes through these hallways.
Lastly, as someone with no business background, I was most enticed by the promise of experiential learning and an extensive curriculum.
I have always been creatively and linguistically inclined. My volunteer, freelance, and professional work experience includes the fields of content creation, copywriting, brand marketing, and communications, as well as linguistic analysis in the insurance domain.
My desire to upskill and take on a more creative, and client-facing role pushed me towards pursuing an MMS. After graduating, I am keen on pursuing a career in international business development and strategic communications.
5 Random Things About Me
- I inherited curly hair from my mother, and as I’ve grown up, it has become partly synonymous with who I am and how people identify me. In high school, I was christened “Noodle Head.”
- A position of leadership that I really enjoyed was the student liaison for our group while on an academic exchange program to France. Having to coordinate with the professors in charge from both countries really bolstered my confidence in my oratory skills, especially in French.
- I dabbled in slam poetry while in college, and I will be forever grateful for it, as it helped me discover more about my own voice, as well as meet new people along the way.
- Winding down for the day for me entails indulging in self-care and connecting to myself through anything that helps bring me back to equilibrium. During the day, I’m plugged into so many things and connected to so many people that regaining my sense of self before going to sleep is extremely important.
- Close friends say it’s nothing but a placebo effect, but I’m still fairly certain that I wouldn’t be able to get through most mornings without a cup of coffee.
Fuqua’s Supportive Community
Fuqua’s ethos is centered around the Decency Quotient, and as such, the core values of the community they’ve built mirror exactly this. The MMS:FOB student body is incredibly diverse, and although there are more than 200 talented minds and driven individuals intermingling, there is a perpetual feeling of being supported. People really care about helping others succeed, and it's a great feeling to be a part of something bigger than yourself.
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
Women
Non-US Citizenship
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
Women
Non-US Citizenship
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
Women
Non-US Citizenship
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%)