This edition’s student profile features Stuart Styles, a Daytime MBA Class of 2020 candidate. Prior to coming to Fuqua, Stuart was in investment research and asset management. Most recently, he was an associate at BlackRock, where he served on a portfolio management team that managed custom multi-asset portfolios for clients. Before BlackRock, Stuart spent a few years as an investment analyst at CapTrust Advisors based out of Raleigh, NC.
What stood out most for you about the Fuqua School of Business?
The team-based approach that embodies the culture of Fuqua ultimately led to [my] being certain that Fuqua was the best place for me. It was obvious from my initial interactions with the school and students that Team Fuqua was more than a marketing campaign. I felt that the community—both peers and professors—were authentically invested in my personal and professional development and success. Within this environment, you also become comfortable [with] both asking for and selflessly offering up help to others, as you identify yourself as a part of something that is larger—Team Fuqua. In addition, Fuqua offered opportunities in several fields and I really liked their holistic approach to develop[ing] a well-rounded skill set.
Can you tell me a little bit about your career ambitions?
I’m using my time at Fuqua to transition into investment banking, with a focus on covering the domestic energy industry. In a rapidly changing world that will be full of opportunities [in the field of] energy over the next few decades, expertise within the industry and the ability to effectively advise companies will be more critical than before. I believe investment banking offers me the opportunity to further my career [in] finance while also developing the industry-focused knowledge that I am looking for after my MBA.
What do you hope to get out of Fuqua?
I came to Fuqua with two primary goals in mind: refine my leadership skills and challenge myself to develop an advanced level of strategic thinking. Along with using my time at Fuqua toward a new career path, I believe that achieving both of these objectives will be crucial to the long-term success of my career after Fuqua. Fortunately for me, Fuqua provides multiple opportunities for me to focus on these areas. Currently, I am serving [in] leadership roles on the cabinets of the Finance club and the MBA Games, which have exposed me to diverse organizational roles and functions. In addition, the Fuqua team settings have given me numerous opportunities to stretch myself by utilizing different leadership skills. Through constructive feedback, my peers have helped me to identify and improve my challenging areas and refine my leadership abilities.
What is your favorite experience at Fuqua so far?
My favorite experience at Fuqua so far would have to be getting to know others in the program (especially Section 3!). While Fuqua boasts a roster full of talented students with impressive backgrounds, they are an extremely welcoming community, largely devoid of egos and cutthroat competitive spirit. It’s rare to find such a genuine and humble group of people in one place, so it has been easy to build relationships with my peers both inside and outside of the classroom.
What has been your favorite class?
My favorite class so far would be Foundations of Strategy. In line with my response to what I hope to get out of Fuqua, I viewed this class as an early opportunity to continue developing my knowledge [of] business strategy. The class was great, and Professor Victor Bennett taught with the perfect blend of theory and real-world cases to drive home the key points in the material that he covered. I was able to learn the framework to develop a strategic analysis for industries and companies, which is a very important step in the business strategy process. This class further ignited my interest in business strategy and I look forward to taking additional strategy courses in the future.
Tips to make the most out of your Fuqua experience?
One tip that I could offer up is that you get out what you put in at Fuqua. The program here has a fairly open architecture and you’re almost never “forced” to do anything. While this has its benefits, it is also easy to fall into a pattern of going through the motions and failing to push yourself to your potential. I would encourage everyone to grow comfortable being uncomfortable in situations for growth and make a conscious effort to maximize your time here. Another tip along these lines is to be intentional with your time and commitments. With so much being offered at once, it’s easy to get caught up in the noise and possibly spread yourself too thin due to FOMO [fear of missing out]. Being intentional will help you to focus on what truly matters most, get quality experience from your involvement, and also maintain your sanity. And [one] last piece of advice—go to as many basketball games as you can!
Biggest benefits of participating in Fuqua’s professional clubs?
The professional clubs at Fuqua do a great job of serving as an extension of the classroom in an effort to better prepare students for success during recruiting and in their careers after graduation. Whether they offer bootcamps early on, keynote speakers, club-sponsored treks, or training sessions on specific topics, these clubs provide great resources for students looking to learn in a more career-focused setting. Participating in these professional clubs is another great opportunity to meet others with similar interests and career objectives as you build out your support networks.
Can you tell me a little bit about Fuqua Fridays?
Free food, free booze, and time to socialize… What’s not to like? Fuqua Fridays are a nice way to end the week on a high note and catch up with your peers and professors in a relaxed environment. This time is also a great chance to meet the partners, families, and friends of your classmates. The greater Fuqua community is huge and it is a great reminder of how many people are committed to the success of those in the MBA program. Fuqua Fridays are also a convenient time to plan out the rest of the night and weekend festivities with friends. (Pro tip: If someone says “we’re not going to Shooters tonight,” you’re definitely going to Shooters tonight.)