Meet The Top First-Year MBAs From China

Xiaoxiao Lou

Duke University, Fuqua School of Business

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: A high-efficiency practitioner who always seeks new challenges and explores the world with curiosity

Hometown: Xinxiang, Henan, China

Fun Fact About Yourself: I can do Karaoke for a whole hour, non-stop!

Undergraduate School and Major: Peking University, Finance

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

Senior Associate at Assurance Department of PwC (2012-2014)

Senior Consultant at Transaction Service Department of PwC (2014-2016)

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I participated in a milestone project that helped a state-level mineral social owned enterprise to complete its $900 million acquisition of an overseas mineral property.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants? First of all, start as early as possible. I started to prepare about two years prior to my application, so that I could have plenty of time to think clearly about who I am and what I want to get from an MBA program. Once application season starts, you won’t really have much time to sit down and think about these most basic questions thoroughly.

Second, identify your top criteria when choosing your dream school. Consider not only about your career after two years in business school, but also the learning environment you will be diving into while you are chasing your career ambitions.

Thirdly, anchor yourself to the programs that fit you the most. Reach out to as many admissions officers, alumni, and current students as possible. Try to dig out more information about the program that could best solve your own concerns. Feel the school culture in person and find the networks that will be most helpful for you to achieve your goals.

Last but not least, don’t be afraid of harsh comments. Discuss your career goals with your peers. I will not tell you how many great inspirations I got from sharp feedback from my friends!

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? It is definitely because of Team Fuqua, the close-knit community. As soon as I realized I am the kind of person who wants to achieve balance between an ambitious career and close relationships, I started to focus specifically on programs that value teamwork. As soon as I talked with people from Fuqua, I felt right at home. Surrounded by these smart and nice classmates, I feel more confident to achieve my goal, I can already see a two-year happy life ahead of me.

In addition, I really love Fuqua’s essay about 25 Random Things. It makes me feel that Fuqua is the place where my true self will be welcomed.

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? I am currently aiming for strategy investment opportunities in the high-tech industry. From my past consulting experiences with different industries, I was always inspired and excited by the innovative technologies that are shaping our daily life. My pre-MBA internship in a venture capital firm convinced me that being an investor could best utilize my finance expertise. Thus, I believe strategy investment could be the best track for me to transform myself into an industry leader who is dedicated to shaping the future with exciting and innovative technologies.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? I would like them to see me as a valuable teammate, a good opinion leader, and a reliable friend.