Pat Cronin, Duke Fuqua MBA/MEM Class of 2028
Age: 36
Hometown: Keyport, NJ
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Cornell University, Industrial and Labor Relations
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Co-founder, HVAC and plumbing home services, Cronin Plumbing & Heating, 12 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I came to business school to leverage my early career experience as an entrepreneur and HVAC technical specialist to have a broader impact on the energy transition. As a bootstrapped entrepreneur, I learned a lot of lessons around how to grow within a market, manage clients, and develop and implement strategy. However, I recognized that as a small business entrepreneur, my impact would always be limited by scale and geography. Business school provided an opportunity to learn best practices, broaden my set of experiences, and grow into a better leader.
Why did you choose Duke Fuqua? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The three reasons why I attended Fuqua and why it was my top choice are the Team Fuqua ethos, the program’s long history of developing leaders in the energy sector, and the dual degree program between Fuqua and the Duke Nicholas School of the Environment, where I am concurrently pursuing a Master of Environmental Management degree.
Tackling big problems like the energy transition requires collaborative solutions. Innovations in sustainability, energy abundance, and grid reliability are not a zero-sum game; we all benefit from wins. I wanted to be in an atmosphere that bred collaboration rather than sharp elbows.
Duke’s university endowment came from the Duke family, founders of one of the nation’s largest multi-state power companies. Historically, students have come to Fuqua to be at the vanguard of new business research and energy industry management. I wanted to take courses like the EDGE Seminar, which brings in leaders from across the energy sector each week to speak about their experiences and offers a unique perspective for learning. As someone who aspires to lead in this space, Fuqua seemed like a perfect fit.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
Entering my MBA program later in life, as well as having already been on campus for a year (to complete the first year of my MEM program) has given me focus, an intersectional graduate student network, and insight into how to get the most out of the Duke ecosystem. Even in the short time I’ve had in the MBA program so far (a little over a month at the time of writing), I’ve been able to encourage my classmates to make connections with law, policy, and environmental students, as well as to attend really cool events happening throughout campus. After living through an internship recruiting season last year, I also anticipate that I will be able to provide some calm and perspective when it feels like the pressure is on.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I’ve been working through biographies of 20th century US Presidents. I’m currently on my sixth, Ronald Reagan.
Post-MBA career interests: After my MBA, I want to work in the “messy middle” where emerging energy technology becomes commercialized. This stage, after a technology is funded and developed but before full-scale adoption, excites me because of the challenges associated with creating markets, especially at the intersection of demand and policy.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Reach out to current students for advice during both the discovery phase and application process. I was so lucky to connect with amazing MBAs who helped me understand the programs I was considering, as well as who provided great tips and strategies for my essays and interviews.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have spent more time engaging with the admissions teams at my target schools. I took too long to realize that I could ask questions directly and have conversations outside of webinars with these folks.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Studying for the GRE! I approached the task in small pieces, setting a goal of completing 20 practice questions each day. Breaking the studying down into small, incremental goals really helped. However, it was still hard to get myself to complete practice questions after long days at work. Taking practice exams in full and seeing progress helped prove my strategy thesis and gave me motivation to push on.
What is your initial impression of the Duke Fuqua students/culture/community?
Everyone was not only so welcoming but so smart. The average Fuquan had little ego, but when you spoke with students about topics they were passionate about, it was immediately clear that they were brilliant.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I’m part of the team putting on the 2026 Duke Energy Conference. I also plan on getting involved with the Fuqua Net Impact chapter.
What is one thing you have learned about Duke Fuqua that has surprised you?
There are a significant number of students who have families. It has felt good to find a cohort of other students at a similar stage in life.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m really excited to build relationships with my class and second-year Fuqua MBA students.
