Nicolas Bascuñan D., Fuqua MBA Class of 2020
Age: 32
Hometown: Santiago, Chile
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Bachelor in Science in business administration from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Pre-MBA Work Experience: I spent 7 years in investment banking covering Chile and Latin America and another 2 years on social venture capital involved in pre-school educational projects focused in vulnerable children in Chile.
Why business school? Why now? I’ve reached a certain level of maturity in my career, and I feel I am close to my ceiling in terms of continue to grow. I am convinced I need to acquire additional skills to reach a higher level. Therefore I am seeking to improve in three different aspects.
First, I need a better global vision if I pretend to move forward with my long-term goals. The MBA will expose me to the experience of all my classmates and their backgrounds as well as to top-notch faculty.
Second, I need to strengthen my strategic thinking, as I have spent almost all my career in investment banking. I need to diversify my knowledge and become more ‘well-rounded.’
Finally, I want to improve my communication abilities. In order to become a better leader and make a larger impact in business and society, I need an MBA.
Why Fuqua? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? When comparing among the top 10 business schools in the United States it is hard to distinguish which one will really bring the very best out in you. I made my decision to come to Duke because I felt I fit here the most and that it was the best place where I could grow both professionally and personally.
On the professional side, if you want to become a great leader, you need to learn how to work in a team. Fuqua is that place, where the concept of “Team” is part of the school’s DNA. Also, I was not only focused on looking for a place for its academics and achievements, but also on how united the community is.
One of the most relevant aspects that influenced my and my wife’s decision to come to Durham was how tight the alumni community is back in Chile. That is exactly what we were looking for.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020? One of the things I treasure the most from my last nine years of work experience is my mentors. I’ve learned from them to first see the broad picture when facing a problem, to analyze it, and then design the best solution to solve it. I think my approach to problem-solving can be one of my contributions to the Class of 2020.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? This would definitely be a trip my friends and I did to Las Vegas two or three years after we graduated from college. Going there was quite easy, we had a great time. Returning was more difficult for some of us, who missed our return flight.
Post-MBA career interests I am most interested in? Private equity
Advice to Current Prospective Applicants:
— One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? A big part of the process was spending many hours talking to people, listening and learning from their experience and their failures. I would do that again for sure.
— One thing you would change or do differently? Pay more attention to those who may bring something different to the table. Nine years in finance may sharpen your mind in a good analytical way, but you may lack other things needed to succeed.
— Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? I don’t know if skipping is the word, but when you take the decision to apply to business school you must realize that you will have to put on hold important things of your daily life. You will be preparing for the GMAT while your friends and family meet or go for a drink. You will have to work on your essays while your colleagues meet for a meal. But in the end, it’s all worth it.
What is your initial impression of Fuqua’s students/culture/community? There is always someone there to help you.
One thing you have learned about Fuqua that has surprised you? Up to now, I can realize it will be a highly intense semester. We have not yet even started, and there are plenty of things to do. I like the welcoming pace.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year? There are so many things I plan to do while doing the MBA. I am still member of the board of a company back in Chile, I want to study and evaluate new business opportunities to launch after the MBA, I plan to enjoy the two-year experience with my family and, of course, do well academically.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year? The one thing I want to experience this first year is getting to know my section. There will be people from all around the world, each one of them with a unique history and background. I find that very interesting.
If you enjoyed this feature, don’t miss others in this year’s series:
Real Humans of the Yale SOM MBA Class of 2020
