Aleeha Kalam

Student Experience

Class of 2021

Hometown

Yorba Linda, California

Nationnality

USA

Undergradate Education

University of California—Irvine
Business Economics, 2018

Interested Industry

Private Equity/Venture Capital

“Through accounting, finance, and quantitative decision-making classes, I now have an in-depth understanding of how to evaluate companies using quantitative methods and how to analyze and make decisions. I can now easily understand a company’s annual report and how they conduct business.”

5 Tips for Maximizing Your Time at Fuqua

Be prepared for terms to move quickly; be pro-active and self-assess when you can.
Work with your peers! MMS students are highly motivated individuals that can teach you a lot.
Network. Network. Fuqua alumni are always happy to help – don’t be afraid to reach out!
Join all the clubs you are interested in and attend their speaker events. You will learn more than you know!
Enjoy your surroundings! Kunshan and Durham have a lot to offer in their unique ways – there is a lot to enjoy.

What I Love About the Fuqua Network

The Fuqua network is full of the most supportive and helpful individuals, and I am happy to be a part of it. Everyone actively tries to help you in ways you didn’t even know you needed. The people I have interacted with have been genuinely invested in my personal growth and have worked with me to help me get to the next level – whether it be interview or case prepping or just talking about different industries.

Why I Chose Fuqua

I had reached a point in my professional career where I realized I wasn’t where I wanted to be. I knew I wanted to go somewhere that not only allowed me to gain the skills needed to achieve my dreams but also be able to exceed them. Through the MMS: Duke Kunshan University program, I have grown to understand how business works in both the U.S. and China. I’ve also learned from top-tier professors, taken classes that have challenged me to tackle problems head-on, and gained a network of some of the brightest individuals.

Before MMS

I previously worked in the financial services space and interned for a venture capital firm. These experiences gave me insight into working in sales, operations, and service. While all of these areas helped me develop communication, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills, I wanted to learn analytical and decision-making skills that would allow me to grow in my career.

After MMS

I plan to enter the venture capital and private equity space. Through working with the Career Management Center and talking with my professors, I have found a particular interest in financial and decision modeling.