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

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