Luke Walker

Student Experience

Class of 2019

Hometown

Mansfield, Texas

Nationnality

United States

Undergradate Education

Baylor University
International Relations, 2018

Interested Industry

Public Finance

Why I Chose Fuqua

After earning my bachelor’s degree, I wanted to develop a stronger quantitative skill set. At the same time, I also prioritized the continued formation of my character. Fuqua was an easy choice because of its promise for both world-class skills training and an unwavering commitment to personal development.

5 Things to Do in Durham

Attend a Durham Bulls game – The Durham Bulls are the local minor league baseball team. This is a fun spot to hang out with new friends during the summer session. Go to a game, have a beer, and get to know someone you did not know before.
Go to a play at the DPAC – The Durham Performing Arts Center is the local theater in Durham. They bring in a great lineup of Broadway shows every year. I got to see Hamilton when it was in town – one of my favorite Durham memories.
Ride the bull at Shooter’s– Spend $5 to ride a mechanical bull at a local hotspot. This is a great memory to make with friends.
Go to a game at Cameron Indoor Stadium– Going to a Duke basketball game may be one of the most exhilarating human experiences. Do not miss out.
Golf at the Washington Duke golf course – This is the perfect place to spend an afternoon after class playing a round of eighteen with friends. Watch out for the back nine.

Why Public Finance

The way I see it, two of the most effective vehicles for change are finance and policy. The intersection of those two fields lies in public finance. By understanding how governmental organizations finance their projects, I can be a more effective policymaker in the future. The skills I am learning now as an MMS student are laying an essential foundation for my life’s work.

Before MMS

I worked as a research assistant for Judge Ken Starr. I also had an internship at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing where I first considered a career in finance. Wanting to develop more quant skills, I decided to head to graduate school.

After MMS

I am interested in finance and government and aim to work at the intersection of these two fields. Immediately after MMS, I want to work for a bank’s public finance team or a fiscal policy-related organization. My long-term goal is to be a policymaker.