Looking at his career trajectory in financial services, Ryson Porter wanted to recast his future with more excitement — and the Duke Fuqua MBA empowered him to do so. Pairing his finance experience with a passion for the media/entertainment industry led him to Netflix. Follow Ryson on his coast-to-coast journey from a Fuqua MBA to Netflix in this installment of our Real Humans: Alumni series.
Ryson Porter, Duke Fuqua ’23, Treasury Analyst at Netflix
Age: 32
Hometown: Winchester, MA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Elon University, Sports Management
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Securities Lending Operations Associate, Brown Brothers Harriman, 2.5 years, banking/financial services. Investment Operations Analyst, Cambridge Associates, 3 years, financial services. All prior work experience was located in Boston, MA.
Post-MBA Work Experience: Treasury Analyst, Netflix, 2 years, media/entertainment/tech
Why did you choose to attend business school?
I chose to attend business school for three main reasons. First, I wasn’t excited about my trajectory in financial services and knew I wanted a path that better aligned with my interests, but I lacked the experience to pivot. Second, many of the roles I was targeting either required or strongly preferred a master’s degree. Third, I was looking for new opportunities to challenge myself and I knew business school would offer me the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and accelerate both my professional and personal growth.
Why Duke Fuqua? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Both Fuqua and Duke have a strong alumni presence in the industries I was interested in, which gave me confidence in the school’s ability to help me make a successful career transition. Secondly, I experienced the Team Fuqua culture firsthand during the application process. I had several conversations with current students and alumni who were genuinely invested in helping me, and that collaborative, team-oriented mindset really differentiated Fuqua from the other programs I considered.
What about your MBA experience prepared you for your current career? How do you feel that your MBA has been an asset when it comes to navigating new challenges, such as AI?
One of the biggest strengths of an MBA is that it’s a well-rounded business education. While there weren’t specific corporate treasury courses, much of the core curriculum, like corporate finance, economics, and accounting, overlap in many ways with the work I do today. It helped me develop a strong foundation in critical thinking and business strategy, which I use regularly in my role.
More broadly, business school trained me to approach new and evolving challenges with curiosity and structure. That mindset has been especially valuable as organizations think through how to responsibly and strategically adopt AI. The ability to evaluate tradeoffs, align technology with business goals, and make thoughtful decisions in uncertain environments has been a key asset in navigating this shift.
What was your internship during business school? How did that inform your post-MBA career choice?
I interned in corporate treasury at Google on the financial risk and strategy team. That experience was instrumental in shaping my post-MBA career path. It confirmed my interest in treasury as a function and gave me direct exposure to the type of work and in the industry I wanted to pursue.
Beyond the role itself, the relationships I built during my internship were incredibly valuable. My former colleagues were very supportive and played a meaningful role in helping me navigate the recruiting process, which ultimately led to my position at Netflix.
Why did you choose your current company? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to work?
It’s Netflix – it was an easy decision! Media and entertainment has always been a passion of mine, so I was excited about the opportunity to work for a company that now entertains nearly a billion members globally. I was also drawn to Netflix’s bold and ambitious culture and its constant pursuit of the thrill of what’s next, both in creating great content and in the company’s growth.
Advice to current MBA students:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of the job search?
First, be realistic about where you’re competitive. Focus your energy on roles where your background genuinely aligns, rather than spending time chasing positions that are clearly long shots. Second, cast a wide net. Career centers often encourage a highly targeted approach, but in today’s environment – where companies are hiring more selectively – it’s important to balance focus with flexibility. Being open to adjacent roles or industries can create opportunities you might not have initially considered.
–One thing you would change or do differently as part of the job search?
I put a lot of pressure on myself during the process. There were several interviews where I knew I was a strong candidate, but that pressure led to unnecessary stress and ultimately affected my performance. Looking back, I would focus more on staying calm, being present, and treating each interview as a conversation rather than a high-stakes evaluation. That mindset would have helped me show up more authentically and perform at my best.
–What piece of advice do you wish you had been given during your MBA?
You’ll never have another experience quite like your MBA, where you have the time and flexibility to explore while being surrounded by such a talented and diverse group of people. Make the most of it by investing in the areas, passions, and interests that genuinely excite you. The professional outcomes matter, but the personal growth, relationships, and experiences you gain during those two years are just as valuable.
