Jyoti Singh 

Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business

“Outdoorsy person with a passion for living an extraordinary life. On an unending quest for knowledge.”

Hometown: Jind, India

Fun Fact About Yourself: Music is an integral part of my life to the point I imagine myself in a music video all the time. I love listening to all forms of music—from Indian classical to country music. I can memorize lyrics and understand the underlying emotion even when I can’t comprehend the language. Music lifts my spirits when I’m feeling low and I can trace every precious memory of my life to a particular tune.

Undergraduate School and Major: National Institute of Technology, Electronics and Communications Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: BrahMos Aerospace, Senior Systems Engineer

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: About two years ago, I was entrusted with the job of restoring critical missile testing equipment worth $3 million. There was limited information available about the hardware of the tester and I realized that the classical approach of studying documentation was not going to work. We started comparing faults in similar components, measuring outputs for the same inputs, and replacing faulty pieces with their equivalent Indian and European counterparts. We made the system operational in a week, saving $300,000 and many man-hours that could have been lost in the integration process. Management appreciated the quick thinking and problem-solving skills of my team and recognized the importance of reverse engineering. The Russian designer team sent us a letter of commendation, congratulating me in particular for the remarkable job. They wrote, “Restoring critical testing equipment through the application of your knowledge, experience and expertise display your thorough professionalism”.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Enthusiasm. During MBA orientation, I met incredible people radiating with boundless energy and enthusiasm. Their enthusiasm is contagious. My peers at Fuqua are a living example of the notion that if you put a whole team of enthusiastic people together, the possibilities for that team are endless.

In fact, the efforts and dedication shown by the second-year student Orientation Team members were remarkable. They took a break from their internships across the world and came back to campus and put on a great orientation for us, and it overwhelmed me and inspired me to give back to the community. They have the drive and passion to believe in themselves their ability to make a better future and they’re stepping up and taking responsibility for making it so. The grandeur and vibrancy of the section cheers we did as a part of the Fuqua Section Olympics got us excited and motivated for the journey ahead. I believe a positive attitude is a critical component of success in an MBA.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Inclusion and Diversity. As a female international student, diversity is important to me. With a student body of diverse backgrounds, the collaboration and inclusion at Fuqua have been the hallmarks of the program. The vast diversity at Fuqua can be understood from the figures of the Daytime MBA Class of 2021 which includes 43 percent women, 17 percent underrepresented minorities, and 37 percent international students. The numbers do no justice to the unparalleled feeling of walking down the Fuqua Hall of Flags in the Keller Center, beaming with more than 100 flags representing the nations and communities our students are so proudly from.

Fuqua is true to its word that it is a student-run school with numerous integrated platforms where students can participate and share their values and life stories to inspire fellow Fuquans.

The MBA program is renowned for its “Team Fuqua” culture, which is predicated on six paired principles: Authentic Engagement, Supportive Ambition, Collective Diversity, Impactful Stewardship, Loyal Community, and Uncompromising Integrity. Which of these resonates most with you – and what does that principle demand of you as a Fuqua MBA? A lot of emphasis on the “Team Fuqua” culture is put on the holistic approach towards leadership through the paired principles. Uncompromising Integrity resonated the most with me since it is critical for me to make sure I’m doing the right thing. Honoring my commitments, earning trust, mutual respect, and being a professional are important aspects of my work ethics.

Fuqua norms and the Honor Code are the reflection of values practiced here. Today’s business world is more complex than ever and answers do not come easy. These standards apply to every member of the Fuqua community, and each of us is personally accountable for understanding and upholding them.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I’m planning to make a transformational shift into the global consulting industry and Fuqua’s Consulting Club, International Business Club, and Tech Club are what I intend to utilize to gain skills and expertise to grow on the personal and professional fronts.

The tools of experiential learning like Fuqua Client Consulting Practicum (FCCP) and The Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE) and its Initiative on Impact Investing Consulting Program (i3CP) are some activities that have caught my attention in particular. It would be an opportunity to engage in real-world impactful work, channeling my business skills for concrete implementation in a social environment.

I am also excited about joining Fuqua’s Association of Women in Business (AWIB). I hope to contribute to AWIB by rallying for the continued facilitation of a comfortable learning and sharing environment for diversity and inclusion. I intend to create an initiative along the lines of HeForShe as a part of AWIB to propagate the UN philosophy of gender equality on campus and in the Durham community. I am also looking forward to the Women in Leadership course taught by Professor Ashleigh Rosette. Her commitment to the understanding of diversity in leadership and success strategies for women business professionals has been inspiring, and I hope to learn more from her and my peers in AWIB.

Lastly, I am hoping to join the team of Admissions Fellows and Ambassadors to help expand the diversity at Fuqua.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? I was asked about my parents’ views on my decision to pursue an MBA from another country. I have a close-knit family and it was a difficult choice for me to leave home, but they have supported my career goals fully and have been my pillars of strength during the whole journey.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career?  The wonders of science and technology have intrigued me since childhood. Working at a premier missile firm, I have realized that technological innovation and strategic planning and organization are inherently required for successfully leading phenomenal change in the world.

I was associated with different partner industries as a part of BrahMos Indigenization program. Over time, the multi-dimensional role of an operations manager has appealed to me and I have discovered a passion for problem-solving, analytical thinking, and strategic planning.

Strategy management plays a major role in achieving any organization’s goals and Fuqua is one of the best places in the world to get trained on it. An MBA is a medium for me to bridge the gap of knowledge and to acquire the skill set needed to excel in the business world.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Columbia, Yale, Tepper, Haas, Tuck

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I broadly looked at the reputation of schools through rankings, the typical class profile, and their options for global experiential learning. I was also looking for an emphasis on the core curriculum and leadership opportunities.

The conversations I had during my admission process with students, staff, and alumni gave me a first-hand experience of the culture at each school and the opportunity to find out whether or not it instantly resonated with me. The “Team Fuqua” culture and The Fuqua/Coach K Center on Leadership and Ethics (COLE) were unique concepts that stood out.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My three months of poor health after I was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy in August last year taught me that while life isn’t easy; as long as you are healthy, you are blessed. I’ve never taken my body for granted since then and I feel grateful to God each day for being alive and well.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? I wish to leverage my interdisciplinary experience in project management at a technology joint venture. With practical management skills acquired at Fuqua, I intend to help increase business efficiency and reduce costs by solving critical industry challenges and optimizing overall supply chain network design. In the current fast-paced business scenario, reinventing operations can give an organization a competitive edge. My long-term vision is to become COO of a large global tech firm.