Mackenzie Culp
“What I’m most passionate about at Fuqua is showcasing its diversity. As an adopted, first-gen, queer biracial woman from a predominantly White town in the U.S. South, I’ve felt the pressure to shrink and minimize my difference from a young age. However, since I’ve been at Fuqua, I’ve been encouraged to do the opposite. I feel celebrated for who I am, and I take joy in celebrating others who come from backgrounds different from my own.“
MMS: Foundations of Business
Industry:
Prior Education:
Duke University
Why I Chose Fuqua
I had an incredible four years at Duke—despite two of them being heavily impacted by the pandemic—and couldn’t imagine pursuing a master’s degree anywhere else. The academics, the culture, the faculty, and the students are unmatched. One of the reasons I came to Fuqua specifically was that MMS offered what I needed for where I was coming out of undergrad. As a sociology and Spanish double major with a gender, sexuality, and feminist studies minor, I didn’t feel prepared to enter our current, and frankly unforgiving, job market. I sought a program that would help me develop the quantitative skills I neglected in college, and MMS was the perfect fit.
Along with building new skills, the MMS would allow me to explore career paths—including entrepreneurship—and connect with a vast network of professionals so I could determine the best fit. Additionally, I was compelled by Fuqua’s emphasis on diversity and the prospect of working with students from all over the world.
Before Fuqua
I pursued various work experiences during undergrad to expose myself to new industries. I interned at a family law practice, and interned as a copywriter at an ad agency. And at the end of my senior year, I did research with Duke sociology professors.
After Fuqua
Immediately after graduation, I intend to work in communications, focusing on advertising, brand management, or public relations. After three to five years, I will return to Fuqua for the AMBA program. I believe that AMBA would enable me to pursue more advanced communications roles, or pivot entirely if that industry isn’t an ideal fit. Next, I would like to work for a decade more while starting my wine business. After that, I aim to pursue a PhD (likely in sociology) and spend the rest of my working years in academia.
5 Fun Things to Do with Friends in Durham
- Picnic with friends in the Duke Gardens. The vibes in the gardens are immaculate in the fall and spring, so grab a picnic blanket, a speaker, and some food and get ready to have a relaxing afternoon!
- Attend sporting events. Duke basketball games are the most fun (especially if you participate in grad student campout, which YOU SHOULD!!!), but make the effort to watch other sports as well. It’s always fun to support your fellow MMS classmates!
- Go to Mezcalito. The atmosphere at this restaurant is unparalleled. The music is amazing, the staff is kind, and the margaritas and guacamole are to die for! It’s also the perfect place to go for a birthday.
- Brunch at It’s a Southern Thing. This restaurant speaks to my soul as a Southerner, but it’s a good place if you’re not from here to get familiar with our cuisine. My go-to order is the Cajun Salmon Cake Bene.
- Frequent Tavern Tuesdays and Shooter’s Fridays. The Tavern and Shooters aren’t the best bars in Durham by a long shot, but going on these designated days is an amazing way to meet more MMS, Fuqua, and Duke grad students and network.
Fuqua's Supportive Community
I never expected that my teammates would become my best friends. I was nervous at orientation before the announcement of team assignments about what mine would be like: I still wasn’t over the various times during undergrad when I had been left to do all of the work by myself for group projects. But once we won the team pitch competition and received our prize of matching Fuqua sweatshirts, I knew our group was special. And every moment since, from Triangle Training to our team trip to Shooters, to our business communication final presentation, has only reinforced that.
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%)