When I left the U.S. Navy after five years as a nuclear submarine officer, I wasn’t entirely sure what the next chapter would look like. What had originally drawn me to submarines was the need to be a well-rounded leader, someone who could safely operate a nuclear reactor while also navigating the complexities of an uncertain, high-pressure environment. I knew I wanted to continue solving complex problems, guiding others through ambiguity, and building trust-based relationships.
Finance and pursuing an MBA appealed to me for those very reasons, but I wasn’t yet sure where I would fit within the industry. Now, as I graduate and begin my career as a Private Wealth Advisor at J.P. Morgan, I can confidently say that Fuqua helped me discover my path and prepared me to thrive in the finance world.
During my first year at Fuqua, I explored many areas of finance and was ultimately drawn to private wealth management by the people. At Fuqua, the finance and investment concentrations provided me with the breadth of financial knowledge required to succeed in private wealth management. From courses as foundational as Investment and Corporate Finance to more nuanced topics like cryptocurrency, Fuqua allowed me to learn a range of subjects from world-class professors with experience in those respective areas. The field combines analytical rigor with human connection. It’s not just working with spreadsheets; it’s about working with families, founders, and individuals who are making some of the most important financial decisions of their lives.
That blend of strategy and service reminded me of what I valued in the military: leading with integrity, staying calm under pressure, and helping others navigate complex situations with confidence. As a private wealth advisor, I’ll channel those same values by guiding clients through volatile markets, helping families make high-stakes decisions like planning for generational wealth, and acting as a steady, trusted voice during moments of uncertainty. Just like in the Navy, the mission is clear: serve with purpose and earn trust every day.
Through my concentration, I built a strong foundation in topics like capital markets, portfolio theory, and financial planning. I appreciated how the coursework emphasized both quantitative acumen and practical, real-world application — something I needed coming from a non-finance background.
Just as valuable as the coursework were the people. I was constantly learning from classmates who had worked in banking, investing, or startups. Whether it was prepping for interviews, collaborating on cases, or asking “basic” questions without fear of judgment, I always felt supported.
One example that stands out is from my classmate who interned at a boutique investment bank for the summer. Our group had to develop assumptions on our final project for corporate restructuring to value a company based on those future projections. He not only came up with sound and defendable assumptions, but he took the time to explain the reasoning behind them as well. That’s one of the unique things about Fuqua — you’re surrounded by smart, ambitious people who are humble and generous with their time.
My summer internship at J.P. Morgan Private Bank brought everything together. I supported senior bankers in crafting investment strategies and researching prospective clients. With a dynamic focus that spanned sectors like energy, health care and private equity, I built pitch materials for executives, entrepreneurs, and families.
One project I particularly enjoyed involved developing a prospecting plan based on 10b5-1 trading activity, pre-scheduled stock sales that executives use to avoid insider trading concerns. By analyzing public information, we identified executives relocating to Dallas-Fort Worth and connected them with relationship managers who had relevant industry expertise. It was a great example of how analytical thinking and personal relationships intersect in this career.
Outside the classroom, I had the opportunity to serve as a Fuqua/Coach K Center on Leadership & Ethics (COLE) Fellow, mentoring first-year students and helping guide their leadership journeys. I also tutored first-years in statistics and entrepreneurship courses — another way to give back while reinforcing my own learning. These experiences helped me grow as a communicator and mentor, which are essential skills for my finance career and any client-facing role.
Private wealth management may seem like a far leap from nuclear submarines, but at the core, both careers are about responsibility, judgment, and building trust. Thanks to Fuqua, I’ve been able to reframe my experience, build new capabilities, and step confidently into this next chapter.
For prospective students wondering if an MBA — especially from a place like Fuqua — can help you pivot into finance: absolutely. You don’t need to come from a traditional background. You just need to be curious, motivated, and open to growth.
The post My Journey from a Nuclear Submarine to Private Wealth Management appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.
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I'd be glad to learn your thoughts on this story : My Journey from a Nuclear Submarine to Private Wealth Management
Finance and pursuing an MBA appealed to me for those very reasons, but I wasn’t yet sure where I would fit within the industry. Now, as I graduate and begin my career as a Private Wealth Advisor at J.P. Morgan, I can confidently say that Fuqua helped me discover my path and prepared me to thrive in the finance world.
Exploring Finance and Private Wealth Management
During my first year at Fuqua, I explored many areas of finance and was ultimately drawn to private wealth management by the people. At Fuqua, the finance and investment concentrations provided me with the breadth of financial knowledge required to succeed in private wealth management. From courses as foundational as Investment and Corporate Finance to more nuanced topics like cryptocurrency, Fuqua allowed me to learn a range of subjects from world-class professors with experience in those respective areas. The field combines analytical rigor with human connection. It’s not just working with spreadsheets; it’s about working with families, founders, and individuals who are making some of the most important financial decisions of their lives.
That blend of strategy and service reminded me of what I valued in the military: leading with integrity, staying calm under pressure, and helping others navigate complex situations with confidence. As a private wealth advisor, I’ll channel those same values by guiding clients through volatile markets, helping families make high-stakes decisions like planning for generational wealth, and acting as a steady, trusted voice during moments of uncertainty. Just like in the Navy, the mission is clear: serve with purpose and earn trust every day.
Building Skills and Confidence
Through my concentration, I built a strong foundation in topics like capital markets, portfolio theory, and financial planning. I appreciated how the coursework emphasized both quantitative acumen and practical, real-world application — something I needed coming from a non-finance background.
Just as valuable as the coursework were the people. I was constantly learning from classmates who had worked in banking, investing, or startups. Whether it was prepping for interviews, collaborating on cases, or asking “basic” questions without fear of judgment, I always felt supported.
One example that stands out is from my classmate who interned at a boutique investment bank for the summer. Our group had to develop assumptions on our final project for corporate restructuring to value a company based on those future projections. He not only came up with sound and defendable assumptions, but he took the time to explain the reasoning behind them as well. That’s one of the unique things about Fuqua — you’re surrounded by smart, ambitious people who are humble and generous with their time.
Applying It All in the Real World
My summer internship at J.P. Morgan Private Bank brought everything together. I supported senior bankers in crafting investment strategies and researching prospective clients. With a dynamic focus that spanned sectors like energy, health care and private equity, I built pitch materials for executives, entrepreneurs, and families.
One project I particularly enjoyed involved developing a prospecting plan based on 10b5-1 trading activity, pre-scheduled stock sales that executives use to avoid insider trading concerns. By analyzing public information, we identified executives relocating to Dallas-Fort Worth and connected them with relationship managers who had relevant industry expertise. It was a great example of how analytical thinking and personal relationships intersect in this career.
Outside the classroom, I had the opportunity to serve as a Fuqua/Coach K Center on Leadership & Ethics (COLE) Fellow, mentoring first-year students and helping guide their leadership journeys. I also tutored first-years in statistics and entrepreneurship courses — another way to give back while reinforcing my own learning. These experiences helped me grow as a communicator and mentor, which are essential skills for my finance career and any client-facing role.
A New Chapter
Private wealth management may seem like a far leap from nuclear submarines, but at the core, both careers are about responsibility, judgment, and building trust. Thanks to Fuqua, I’ve been able to reframe my experience, build new capabilities, and step confidently into this next chapter.
For prospective students wondering if an MBA — especially from a place like Fuqua — can help you pivot into finance: absolutely. You don’t need to come from a traditional background. You just need to be curious, motivated, and open to growth.
The post My Journey from a Nuclear Submarine to Private Wealth Management appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.
More...
How does this impact your International MBA decision?
I'd be glad to learn your thoughts on this story : My Journey from a Nuclear Submarine to Private Wealth Management