Nicolas D’Acunto, Duke Fuqua MBA Class of 2021
Age: 31
Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Universidad Catolica Argentina (UCA) – Industrial Engineer
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 9 years – Consumer goods and Agribusiness
Why business school? Why now?
I traveled a lot to other countries at my last job, which made me realize I wanted to have a broader global perspective. Additionally, my experience in middle management showed me that I needed to further develop my strategic mindset to be able to move into the next level in organizations. Business school is an excellent place to get both.
Why Duke Fuqua? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Of course, school prestige and alignment between your career interests and school’s strengths are important, but after business school you have to go back to the job market. Aside from those factors, the MBA is a common project with my partner, who is also enrolled at Fuqua. One thing our prior MBA jobs taught us is the importance of sharing the values with the people that surround you; waking up in the morning happy about the place you are going to is priceless.
We like collaborative environments and this was one of the top criteria when we looked at schools. The quality of the interactions we had with Fuqua current students, alumni, and admissions set Fuqua apart. Moreover, we experienced a distinct welcoming attitude coming from people and then our visit to Durham just confirmed that it was the right place for us.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2021?
I have a few more years of working experience than the average MBA candidate and linked to that I have already been in leadership positions and have managed teams. I also have a background outside the “mainstream” pre-MBA experience, operations in consumer goods, and agribusiness combined with the perspective of Latin America. I think these experiences will enable me to make unique contributions to my first-year work team and to the class in general.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I don’t like to go to the gas station. I always avoid it and wait until the last very moment. More times than I would like to admit, I have found myself with the car at the side of the road with the gas reserve exhausted. Once, while I was crossing a long bridge in Argentina, I ran out of fuel just after the highest part and I drove 2 miles downhill with the engine off. I was able to almost get to the next gas station, so I only had to walk half a mile to get gasoline!
Post-MBA career interests?
Technology, general management and clean energy.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I dedicated a lot of time to talk to as many people I could from every school I was considering: current students, alumni and admissions, and also other MBA applicants. Listening to their stories and learning what they loved about their schools enabled me to discover to which places I felt most connected.
I also made the time to visit schools which was great because it really makes a difference to know the unique things each school has to offer. During my visits I spent some time at the school’s location and I visualized myself living there.
Time is always scarce when you prepare your application – you have to sit for exams, attend events, etc. These meetings and conversations may seem unfocused because they are not directly linked with one of your application items, but when the moment to make a decision came I felt more secure and confident about making the right choice. I would absolutely do it again!
–One thing you would change or do differently?
I would try to get less stressed. I know it’s easy to say and hard to do, but if I had been able to relax a bit more I would have enjoyed much more the journey.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
GMAT. Definitely the least appealing part of applying to an MBA. I never had done a standardized test before, but I had taken a lot of math courses in college and I thought this would be a similar thing. It was harder than expected and I had to dedicate long hours after work to get good at it. Fortunately, I had already started working on the applications, which made me visualize the end game more clearly and that motivated me to go through the last weeks of studying.
What is your initial impression of Duke Fuqua’s students/culture/community?
Fuqua’s collaborative culture is one of the main reasons why I choose the school. I expected to find friendly people upon arrival, but the actual thing made a deep impression on me.
I love the way people care of each other, I find the everyday simple gestures inspiring because they show me Team Fuqua spirit in a very genuine and authentic way. When someone has a problem – maybe they forgot a book or just needs a ride – there is always somebody that shows up within minutes to help. I never imagined that such bonds would develop so soon and so spontaneously.
One thing you have learned about Duke Fuqua that has surprised you?
Recruiting is a big part of the MBA, and the career center at Fuqua knows that. I was surprised to have the first workshops to prepare for my job search as early as August. I was even more surprised when I started getting invitations for activities specially devised to help international students adapt to US job market culture. Having that level of support and that number of available resources from the day one is amazing.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
My biggest concern so far is about time management and priorities. I am a person of multiple interests and Fuqua has endless wonderful options. On one hand I don’t want to miss any of them and on the other hand I want to be effective in the choices I make and to enjoy them. I am still working to find the right balance.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Meeting people from every corner of the world is one of the most rewarding experiences in school. Becoming close friends with people that are literally from the other side of the world blows my mind and is definitely the one thing I’m looking forward next months.
