Ruoxi Shi

Duke University, Fuqua School of Business

“A China’s Silicon Valley city dweller interested in developing business that creates real social change.”

Hometown: Shenzhen, China

Fun Fact About Yourself: I enjoy writing and since age 9 have written and published over 200 articles in Chinese.

Undergraduate School and Major:

Beijing International Studies University

Bachelor of Arts, English Language and Literature

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:

Associate Manager

Shenzhen Mairuipu Technology Co., Ltd

Boutique consulting firm focused on strategy and implementation for Chinese government

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? The collective diversity principle resonates with me most. It demands that I should never reject any opinion different from mine and always try to see it from other’s perspectives. Many cultural aspects I take for granted in China might be easily misunderstood by someone from another culture and I must be sensitive about the same and be ready to bridge the gap with open communication. The world is globally connected now, and only by collaborating effectively we can make any progress.

What has been your first impression of the Fuqua MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far. Tell us your best Fuqua story so far. When I was preparing my application, I cold called some Fuqua alumni on LinkedIn. I was very surprised that many of them were willing to take time out of their busy schedules and have an in-depth conversation with me. They helped me get to know Fuqua, understand the application, and reach out to other alumni. One Class of 2023 alum called me the night before leaving for the States. Another from the Class of 2022, first called me in the middle of project during her internship at BCG, and called me again after her project was over to check if I need additional help.

For me, I feel so lucky to become a member in the Fuqua community where all the community members are willing and ready to help each other.

Aside from your classmates and school culture, what was the key part of Duke Fuqua’s MBA curriculum programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I want to gain a comprehensive understanding of the world-leading health care industry. The US health care system has really been a pioneer in both technology and management systems. I want to learn from the best practices. Duke Fuqua’s MBA provides me this opportunity.

The certificate in Health Sector Management includes interdisciplinary study, extracurricular events, and programs. Students can take 7 different health care electives beyond the 3 required courses – HSM “Bootcamp” (officially known as Health Institutions, Systems and Policy), Seminars in Health Care, and Health Care Markets. My most interesting courses will be biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Strategy, where I could combine my past working experience to examine a drug’s life cycle. I would like to explore how to manage scientists, finance clinical trials, and select molecules in the research and development stage.

Also, the Duke University Hospital Experiential Learning Practicum provides me with the opportunity to work directly with hospital leaders, applying my business skills to tackle the real cases in hospitals, such as how to help the emergency department improve security and the waiting room experience.

What’s more, the Mentored Study Experience and Health Care Club allow me to learn from other fellows who have diversified health care professional experiences and to develop my own skill set in the health care industry.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Duke Fuqua? I have great interest in joining Fuqua on Board; I would like to work with Durham-area non-profits and improve their operational efficiency using my process optimization knowledge. I would also like to offer social impact consulting through Net Impact and the Consulting Club where I can develop strategies that define a better future for these non-profit organizations and provide solutions to their common problems.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Having spent my early years in rural China with no access to good education, I have been eager to eliminate disparities in education quality between urban and rural areas. In my recent role, by implementing new work processes, convincing teachers who were resistant to change, and training a new set of school administrators, I helped a kindergarten in Jingmen, an underdeveloped area, become China’s first education sector ISO-certified kindergarten. This institute is now setting new standards for educational quality for the whole country. I feel that I have created real social changes and built a better future for the people of my country.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? After graduation, I want to take strategic marketing role in a health care company by creating strategies for patient education and delivering the right information to China’s large population. I will champion the launch of new and advanced therapy options into China market to ensure Chinese people have access to the best possible medical care. Leveraging my authority, network, and insights into the workings of the Chinese government, I will also advocate for patient-friendly policies.

I’ve built strong knowledge in understanding Chinese consumer behavior and working mechanisms of Chinese government, so I want to switch to a strategy marketing position to learn more about the business strategy. I would like to make this cause my career goal. Utilizing my understanding of the Chinese consumer and knowledge of Chinese marketing practice, I want to bridge the gap between patients and information.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? I will suggest everyone read Strategy Maps: Converting Intangible Assets into Tangible Outcomes by Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton.  It introduces the basic methodology of building business strategy. I find it not only useful for positioning and branding myself for the MBA application story, but also useful for preparing for the MBA class and recruiting as well.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Duke Fuqua’s MBA program?  When preparing your application, the most important thing is not to take other’s suggestions as the only clues in making your final decision. You can network intensively with the alumni and current students and exchange ideas with them about topics like the application tips for the school, the feasibility of your career plan, and interview preparation. But everyone’s ideas are limited to their own experience. The information you collect is only part of the clues to help you make decision. Your final decision should be based on your own understanding of yourself, objective data and information learned from multiple channels.

DON’T MISS: MEET DUKE FUQUA’S MBA CLASS OF 2024