WE

Weekend Executive MBA

Career Survey

WWW. F U Q UA. DU KE . E DU
 T H E D U K E M BA — WE E K E N D E X E C U T I V E

- In July and August 2017, we

surveyed online all Weekend
Executive MBA program alumni
from the classes of 1985-2016 to
obtain information about how the
Weekend Executive MBA program
has impacted their careers. A
solid response rate of 18% was
achieved, with 377 alumni sharing
their career progress. For ease in
delivery, graduation years have been
“
I came into Fuqua's WEMBA program
with a clear goal of transitioning from
aggregated into six groups:
1985-1995, 1996-2001, 2002-
banking to corporate fnance. Fuqua
helped me achieve this not only with
a degree, but the experience among
my cohort. As I'm a couple years out
2006, 2007-2011, 2012-2014,
from Fuqua, I see how what I learned
here is now clicking in my new career 2015-2016.
path. I was impressed with almost
every single individual I interacted with
at Fuqua, whether it was classmate,
staf, or faculty. Fuqua maintains a very
high standard, while emphasizing a
welcoming environment that is not cut
throat."

M A N AG E R
C L ASS OF 2014
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 16+94 49+3617 18+3029 9+1321 47+14 45+8
T H E D U K E M BA — WE E K E N D E X E C U T I V E

where are they now? “

and what are they doing?
Weekend Executive MBAs are employed in a wide
range of industries and functions; however, three-
fourths of these executives are currently working in
fnancial services, information technology, health care,
manufacturing, consulting, or pharmaceuticals and
biotech. Similarly, one quarter of Weekend Executive
It allowed me to transition to a climbing the ladder
different industry and career.
Without the Fuqua degree, I
Typically, Weekend Executive MBA students earn a promotion in title subse-
would not have been given
the opportunity to make that
quent to graduation. While two-thirds of students entered the Weekend Exec-
transition without taking a big utive program as analysts or managers, two-thirds of Weekend Executive MBAs
step down in compensation.” today are at the director, vice president, or C-suite executive level.
C-L EVEL EXECUTIVE
CL ASS OF 2002 OVERALL CHANGE IN PROFESSIONAL STATUS
POSITION BEFORE FUQUA F I R S T P O S I T I O N A F T E R F U Q UA CURRENT POSITION

MBAs are working in general management, while over

half are in the operations, information technology,
sales, fnance, or consulting functions. TOP FUNCTIONS
FOR WEMBA GRADS 49%

TOP INDUSTRIES
FOR WEMBA GRADS
24 %

18
General 36%

%
Management
30% %

13 %
Operations
29

21%
11%

17
18%
17%
Information Technology 16%

financial
services
% 11 %
Sales
9% 9%
13%

7%
14%

8%
5%
4%
10% 4% 4%

information Finance

12 %
A N A LYS T S MANAGERS D I R E C TO R S VICE C-SUITE SELF-
technology 9 %
PRESIDENTS EXECUTIVES E M P LOY E D
Consulting

12
health care
% “
Empirically, you can see the change
“
The WEMBA experience allowed me to add “
Fuqua was directly correlated to my career

9
in my career. It wasn't JUST due to theoretical finance and quantitative skills that growth to reach CEO of a tech company. I most

%
were the foundation for significant advancement likely would have not become CEO without the
manufacturing Fuqua, but the program prepared
me to take on anything. The elective throughout my subsequent career.” Fuqua education.”
entrepreneurship program also

7%
consulting inspired me to continue to look for C-L EVEL EXECUTIVE C -LEV EL EX EC U TI V E
private company opportunities - CL ASS OF 1995 C LASS O F 1 9 9 6
which finally led to a lengthy career in
pharmaceuticals & the start-up world.”
biotech
DIRECTOR
CL ASS OF 1996
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manager to executive
\
Manager is the most frequently seen title of entering Weekend Executive MBAs (including Assistant,
Associate and Senior Manager titles). Of those who entered the Weekend Executive MBA program
as managers, less than a quarter have retained a manager title in their current position –including those
promoted from Assistant Manager up to Senior Manager. The remaining three quarters are now at the

4419+ 4436+ 831+ 010+ 2+ 2+

Director level or above, self-employed, or retired.

CAREER PROGRESSION BY POSITION

FIRST POSITION AFTER FUQUA CURRENT POSITION

analysts
44% 44%
36%
31%
19%
8% 10%
0% 2% 2% 2% 2%

ANALYSTS MANAGERS DIRECTORS VICE C-SUITE SELF-

PRESIDENTS EXECUTIVES EMPLOYED

Less than 20% of those Weekend Executive MBAs who entered the program as analysts are currently
at that level. Almost 80% of incoming analysts now have titles of manager, director, vice president or
C-level executive.

1+ 5522+ 34+ 518+ 211+ 27+

managers
55%

34% 34%
22%
18%
11%
5% 7%
1% 1% 2% 2%

ANALYSTS MANAGERS DIRECTORS VICE C-SUITE SELF-

PRESIDENTS EXECUTIVES EMPLOYED

Similarly, directors entering the Weekend Executive program have also achieved higher titles, with

3+ 92+ 5032+ 2331+ 618+ 85+

one-third retaining a director title (including Assistant, Associate or Senior) today. Approximately
50% of Weekend Executive MBAs who entered the program at the director level are now at the Vice
President or C-suite level. The program helped complement my
technical background in Finance with
directors appropriate Strategy, Marketing, and
Leadership curriculum. I feel it was
50%
critical to me becoming a CFO at an
32% 31% early age which ultimately allowed me
23% to retire at the age of 51. The program
18%
9% 8%
is great and is recognized nationally
3 3
% %
2%
6% 5% and internationally."
ANALYSTS MANAGERS DIRECTORS VICE C-SUITE SELF-
PRESIDENTS EXECUTIVES EMPLOYED
RETIRED
CL ASS O F 2000
 T H E D U K E M BA — WE E K E N D E X E C U T I V E

$186K
$103K ~
~
$87K
~ ~

112%
1985 - 1995

~ ~
18% 80%
graduates
~
$233K
~
$115K $130K
~ ~
~

103%
1996 - 2001
graduates
~
~
14%
~ 79%
~
$221K
~
the $128K $156K
~ ~

73%
2002 - 2006
~ ~ ~
~
22% 42%

~
graduates

weekend executive ~
$203K

MBA ROI $130

~
K $160K
~ ~
~

57%
~
2007 - 2011
graduates
~
23%

~
27%
~
~
$187K
$125K
$156K
~ ~
~ ~

49%
~
2012 - 2014

~ ~
25% 19%
graduates
~
$173K $181K
$147 K

~ ~ ~
~ ~

23%
2015-2016

~ ~ ~
17% 5%
graduates

the rewards $203K

$122K $147 K
~
~
Growth in average compensation prior to entering Fuqua and current compensation has
~ ~

66%
exceeded 70% for the three oldest Weekend Executive MBA graduate year groups. For the
~ ~
all

~
20% 38%
1985-1995 and the 1996-2001 graduate groups, compensation has more than doubled in alumni
the 16-32 years afer graduating. The 2002–2006, 2007-2011, and 2012–2014 graduates
~ ~
have seen their average compensation increase by roughly 50-75%. The more recent
graduating year group, 2015-2016, as expected given fewer post-degree earning years, has AV ERAG E CO M P E N SAT I O N AV E R AGE F I R ST AV E R AGE C U R R E N T
B EFOR E F U Q UA CO M P E N SAT I O N AF T E R CO M P E N SAT I O N
seen their average compensation increase 23%. F U Q UA

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 2015 - 2016 graduates 2002 - 2006 graduates

3+16275+418 1+827+1425 2+10+232827 2++2864555 15

0+ 4318+12 2+12319+856
3.1% 1.6% 1.7% 4.8% 1.7% 1.7% 3.4%
6.4% 8.5%
4.8
%
11.6 %
17.1%
25.0%
14.1% 9.8 %
 $50K OR LESS 15.0 %

“
27.9% $50K - 100K 27.5% 11.7%
7.9% 26.6%
22.9% 55.8% 18.7%
4.7% 7.8% 26.5 %  $100K - $150K
18.3% 43.4 %

40.6% 25.0%
9.8%

27.9%
 $150 - $200
K K
54.8% 11.9% I feel like the Duke program
 $200K - $250K
provided me with the tools and
C O M P E N S AT I O N F I R S T C O M P E N S AT I O N CURRENT
 $250K OR MORE
C O M P E N S AT I O N F I R S T C O M P E N S AT I O N CURRENT connections to build a successful
BEFORE FUQUA AFTER FUQUA C O M P E N S AT I O N BEFORE FUQUA AFTER FUQUA C O M P E N S AT I O N company."

While approximately a third of Weekend Executive MBA graduates Of those Weekend Executive MBA graduates who are 11-15 C-LEVEL EXECUTIVE
who fnished their degree 1-2 years ago earned $150K or more years post program, over half are now earning $250K or more CLASS OF 1994
prior to entering the program, currently two-thirds earn an annual yearly.
compensation of $150K or more.

2012 - 2014 graduates 1996 - 2001 graduates

4+270+11562 0+12+4001533+ 228

0+ 2832+10 3+4+493338 3++13532227 2+64140515+
11.2% 3.8
%
2.0% 3.1% 1.7%5.2%
3.0% 7.6 1.6% 7.8 3.1
% % %
1.9%
15.4 % 11.5% 4.5%
28.0%

“ “
26.5% 32.0% 12.6% 21.8% 13.8%

32.7% 48.5%
63.8%
40.4% 10.0% 33.3% 15.5%
56.6%
I thought it was a rigorous, 53.1% Fuqua provided the skills
28.0%
rich learning environment foundation that enabled me to
C O M P E N S AT I O N F I R S T C O M P E N S AT I O N CURRENT that was provocative and C O M P E N S AT I O N F I R S T C O M P E N S AT I O N CURRENT achieve my career objectives,
BEFORE FUQUA AFTER FUQUA C O M P E N S AT I O N BEFORE FUQUA AFTER FUQUA C O M P E N S AT I O N
helped develop a new skill financial security for my family,
set and lens through which to and retirement by age 50.”
While less than 15% of Weekend Executive MBA graduates who think about business." For Weekend Executive MBA graduates who fnished their
fnished their degree 2-5 years ago earned $150K or more prior degree 16-21 years ago, the percentage of those earning C -LEV EL EX EC U TI V E
to entering the program, currently two-thirds earn an annual $250K or more has grown from about 8% before entering C LASS O F 2 0 0 0
compensation at that level. C-L EVEL EXECUTIVE
Fuqua to 64% today.
CL ASS OF 2014

2007 - 2011 graduates 1985 - 1995 graduates

0+35644+69 5+1812+341417 0+5+1420+41 17+2623052+ 4+597+2244 5+13183415+

6.1% 1.8% %
1.8% 3.4
%
4.5% 4.7% 3.6% 3.6 5.0%
9.0% 7.3%
6.1% 17.8% 11.9% 17.2%
20.0% 15.4%

“ “
34.8% 25.9% 33.3%
13.5% 41.5 %
23.7% 12.9%
34.4% 20.0% 60.0%
44.0% 51.7%
17.9% Fuqua challenged me, made me 18.0% 15.4% The Fuqua experience continues
13.8%
stretch. The program broadened to open doors to this day. It is
C O M P E N S AT I O N F I R S T C O M P E N S AT I O N CURRENT my creativeness and gave me C O M P E N S AT I O N F I R S T C O M P E N S AT I O N CURRENT also directly responsible for
BEFORE FUQUA AFTER FUQUA C O M P E N S AT I O N BEFORE FUQUA AFTER FUQUA C O M P E N S AT I O N
insights to other functional areas. my promotion from a manager
I'm now retired." level professional to a C-level
15% of those graduating from the Weekend Executive MBA Over half of those graduating from the Weekend Executive professional."
program within the past 6-10 years earned $200K or more prior RETIRED MBA program within the past 22-32 years today earn $200K
to starting the program. Today, over half earn $200K or more CLASS OF 1986 or more annually. This likely refects the inclusion of retirement C-LEVEL EXECUTIVE
annually. incomes for some respondents. CLASS OF 1998
 in which industries do Weekend
Executive MBAs tend to stay? industries graduates leave
- FIRST INDUSTRY AFTER FUQUA
-CURRENT INDUSTRY
- F I R S T I N D U S T R Y A F T E R F U Q UA
-
CURRENT INDUSTRY

H E A LT H C A R E
..
M E D I A & E N T E R TA I N M E N T
85+ 8880+ 9279+ 7573+ 7871+ 8168+
33+20 40+22 40+33 8040+
85% consulting 5% 33% p fnancial services 40%

-ill!
85%

FINANCIAL SERVICES
86%
80%

P H A R M A C E U T I C A L S / B I OT E C H
-E
e
pharmaceuticals/biotech 5%
fnancial services 2%

consulting 8%
manufacturing 4%
health care 2%
.
a,

!!!!
20%

40%
22%

R E TA I L / W H O L E S A L E
(
G O V E R N M E N T/ M I L I TA R Y

<
b
real estate/construction 20%
other 20%

0: consulting 22%
fnancial services 22%
non-proft/education 11%

92% 40%
~ p information technology 4% A 0 consulting 17%
79%

E N E R GY & U T I L I T I E S
~ consulting 4%
0 energy/utilities 4%
'E5' 33%
<: 0 manufacturing 17%
0 non-proft/education 17%
CONSUMER GOODS
75% consulting 13%

~
80%
Q~ 73% real estate/construction 7%
40%
manufacturing 20%
information technology 20%
fnancial services 7%
retail/wholesale 20%
R E A L E S TAT E & C O N S T R U C T I O N

“
78% 0 government/military 12%
tit 71%
~
manufacturing 6%
fnancial services 6%
Graduates quickly lef the Media and Entertainment, Government/
Military, and Retail/Wholesale industries afer graduation, with about
I N F O R M AT I O N T E C H N O LO GY two-thirds switching industries right away. Only 20–30% of those in these I truly feel like I learned a

C) 81
68%
%

e: fnancial services 11%

consulting 8%
health care 3%
industries prior to Fuqua are still in those industries today. Only 20% of
MBAs in the Consumer Goods feld lef afer graduating; however, only
40% remain in that industry today. These MBAs, however, tended to
shif to Financial Services, Consulting or Manufacturing, and Non-Proft
Education.
significant amount of useful
information. I was an
employer-sponsored attendee
so didn't plan to change jobs;
however, it has expanded my
Pharma/Biotech, Financial Services, and Health Care are the 3
skill set immensely."
industries to which Weekend Executive MBAs were most loyal right
afer earning their graduate degree as well as the industries retaining
C -LEV EL EX EC U TI V E
the highest percentage of Weekend Executive MBAs up to the present.
C LASS O F 2 0 1 5
Those switching out of one of these industries predominantly changed
to the consulting industry or one of an array of other industries.

“
My Fuqua MBA degree enhanced my self-
confidence, earnings capacity, my job security, my
“
Fuqua was critical in my transition out of the
military and into a career that has meaningful
ability to change jobs, and my ability to continue purpose commensurate with my experience in the
working at age 76.” military. The brand opens conversations and the
conversations lead to valuable relationships both
C-LEVEL EXECUTIVE within the network and outside of the network. I am
CLASS OF 1993 completely satisfied.”
VICE PRESIDENT
CLASS OF 2016
“
I credit Fuqua with providing me a pivotal
opportunity in my overall career. It put me on the
right path and positioned me for significant career
advancement. There's me before Fuqua and me
after Fuqua. One of the most important and best
decisions of my life."
DIRECTOR
CLASS OF 2008
“
I truly enjoyed my experience at Fuqua and feel
it helped me both personally and professionally
grow into a more capable manager, leader, father,
and husband. The WEMBA program I attended
was well thought out and manageable as a working
professional. I look back on my time at Fuqua as a
great investment in my career."
DIRECTOR
CLASS OF 2009

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