It’s easy to navigate the MBA application process when you have the “traditional” background business schools love. But what happens when your profile looks nothing like the norm?

Today’s guest, David Owusu-Gyebi, proves that non-traditional backgrounds don’t just belong in top MBA programs — they can thrive there.

David holds an MBA from Duke Fuqua School of Business, where he served as Co-President of the Business in Africa Club. In that role, he led Afro-centric initiatives such as Taste of Africa, a flagship event that celebrated African culture, food, and community within the Fuqua ecosystem.

Before business school, David spent nearly a decade as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft operating within Ghanaian airspace — a background far removed from the typical consulting or investment banking pipeline. During his MBA, he interned at AlixPartners and later joined the firm full-time after graduation.

David holds a BSc in Aircraft Engineering and is passionate about sports, cooking, and helping others navigate non-traditional paths into elite business careers.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:

- How non-traditional candidates can stand out in the MBA application process

- How to translate technical and engineering experience into business value

- What Duke Fuqua looks for beyond consulting and banking backgrounds

- How to lead impactful student initiatives during your MBA

- How to pivot from engineering into top-tier consulting roles

If you’re worried your background isn’t “MBA-ready,” this episode will challenge everything you think you know.

🎙️ Business 101 Podcast: Inside Duke Fuqua with David Owusu-Gyebi

#Business101Podcast #DukeFuqua #FuquaMBA #NonTraditionalMBA #MBAJourney #ConsultingCareers

How should you really choose a business school?

Rankings, funding, and location matter — but Anu Rogers believes there’s one factor people underestimate: vibe.

In this episode, Anuoluwapo Rogers, a proud Nigerian, Pan-African, and Finance & Strategy professional at American Express, shares a refreshing and honest perspective on how to choose the right MBA program for you — not just the most popular one.

Anu is currently part of American Express’ Global Finance Job Rotation Program, with his first rotation in Strategy & Transformation in New York. He earned his MBA from the Darden School of Business (Class of 2025), where he served as President of the Darden Africa Business Organization (DABO).

At Darden, Anu led initiatives that connected African students with the broader Darden and UVA communities, created platforms for talent visibility, and fostered engagement with African leaders — all while building a strong, values-driven student community.

Before business school, Anu spent over five years across tax advisory, finance, risk advisory, and consulting, working with organizations including Ernst & Young, Access Bank, Petrolog Group, and the Lagos Inland Revenue Service. He holds a BSc in Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University and is a Chartered Banker certified by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.

💡 In this conversation, Anu breaks down:

- How to choose a business school beyond rankings

- Why “vibe” can matter more than prestige

- What makes the Darden experience unique

- How to build leadership and community during your MBA

- Using business education to drive long-term impact in Africa

If you’re torn between schools or struggling to decide where you’ll truly thrive, this episode will help you rethink your approach.

🎙️ Business 101 Podcast: Inside Darden School of Business with Anu Rogers

Pre-order my preMBA recruiting playbook (free for a limited time):

https://mainstack.store/business101pod/mckinseyinspiresimplified

#Business101Podcast #DardenMBA #MBAjourney #BusinessSchoolAdvice #AfricanProfessionals

At a school as historic and prestigious as Wharton, how does a young person actually stand out and make their mark?

In this episode, we welcome Adwoa Boateng, a recent Wharton MBA graduate whose journey bridges public service, global development, and top-tier consulting.

Before Wharton, Adwoa served as a Senior Analyst at the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), advising the U.S. government on how to effectively fund and evaluate economic development programs in Afghanistan. Prior to that, she worked as a Program Analyst at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Inspector General.

She holds a B.S. in Economics and a B.A. in Government & Politics from the University of Maryland, and completed fellowships and internships at institutions including the U.S. Department of State, Federal Trade Commission, the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, and Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.

At The Wharton School, Adwoa was deeply involved in community leadership, serving as Co-President of the Wharton Africa Student Association and earning the Class of 2025 Core Value Award for Community. Post-MBA, she joined Bain & Company as a consultant, while continuing to explore public–private partnerships to strengthen social safety nets in the Global South.

💡 In this conversation, we explore:

- How to stand out at a school as competitive as Wharton

- Leveraging public-sector experience in elite business environments

- Leading community and creating impact inside business school

- Translating purpose-driven work into top consulting roles

- What Wharton really looks for beyond pedigree and polish

If you’re curious about Wharton, consulting, or building a career at the intersection of policy, business, and impact — this episode offers a rare inside look.

🎙️ Business 101 Podcast: Inside Wharton with Adwoa Boateng.

Pre-order my preMBA recruiting playbook (free for a limited time):

https://mainstack.store/business101pod/mckinseyinspiresimplified

#Business101Podcast #WhartonMBA #WhartonSchool #MBAjourney #BainAndCompany #WomenInBusiness