Carlos Ochoa

Duke University, Fuqua School of Business

“First-gen kid aiming to make a positive impact while navigating the organized chaos of life.”

Hometown: Liberty, TX (Population <9000)

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am a hobbyist musician! After teaching myself to play the French horn at 15, I’ve been picking up new instruments (currently messing around on bass guitar), performing in school and community bands, and enjoying the never-ending learning process ever since!

Undergraduate School and Major: Rice University, B.A. History

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: EMERGE, Program Manager

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? “Supportive Ambition” most resonates with me.

I love seeing people win! This has been a huge motivator in my life and my professional work. It’s special to observe intentionality and hard work pay off for individuals who hunger for their goals.

As a Fuqua MBA student, this demands that I have a stake in the success and betterment of each of my teammates, friends, and members of Team Fuqua. I believe that supportive ambition extends beyond professional and academic success, encompassing care for the whole human. I must be aware of how to support in all realms to ultimately help Team Fuqua be successful.

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? The Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE) was an important factor in my decision to attend Fuqua. With long-term social impact-guided career goals, I was seeking a program with robust offerings to learn how to bridge core business knowledge and impact-minded organizational goals. CASE offerings resound the belief in using business for good.

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. Visiting Fuqua for the MBA Workshop in the fall, I was skeptical about Team Fuqua. Fuqua has shown me again and again that it’s real. Students have shown a genuine interest in supporting me and getting to know who I am from my time as a prospective student until today. Even before matriculation, I felt connected to Fuqua and not anxious to begin because of those connections.

One key impression about Fuqua alumni: they show up. At the MBA Workshop, we had recent and not-so-recent alumni, who took time off to FLY out to Durham—some from their C-level jobs, to present reflections and advice to prospective and current students. At other events, I have seen the same. This illustrates how far Team Fuqua extends, geographically, professionally, and personally.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Duke Fuqua? I’m excited to be an involved member of the American Latinx Management Association (ALMA)! I’m also planning to apply to Fuqua on Board to begin building connections to Durham.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Prior to Fuqua, I was a high school math teacher then, most recently, a program manager for EMERGE, an educational nonprofit supporting first-generation, high-achieving Houston-area students in matriculating to selective universities across the U.S. Playing the role of an advisor and mentor that I lacked as a high school student for other first-generation students has been the most thrilling, emotional, and rewarding experience.

Statistical highlights from the students that I have supported while at EMERGE: 72% were accepted to their first- or second-choice university and 60% are projected to graduate from college totally debt-free.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? My MBA experience will have been successful if I take every learning opportunity, build meaningful connections, and give back to Team Fuqua. These will be a fast-paced two years and I don’t want to miss any opportunity to hear and provide a new perspective, to understand a new principle in class, to receive and give help, or to make a new friend through a board game night.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Duke Fuqua’s MBA program? Authenticity is incredibly important.

Take the time to reflect on who you are and embrace it! I think, as applicants, we place lots of emphasis on our test scores or work experience to help us stand out, but I believe that our true distinction lies within how we portray ourselves in our essays. The 25 Things highlights that Fuqua cares about it, too!

DON’T MISS: MEET DUKE FUQUA’S MBA CLASS OF 2026