This article originally appeared on Fuqua’s Daytime MBA student blog and is shared here with permission.
By Ori Torres, Daytime MBA ’25
One aspect that stood out to me during my research on Fuqua was its emphasis on experiential learning. Having already completed a master’s degree, it was important to me that the MBA experience extends beyond traditional academics and offers hands-on, practical opportunities. Thus, I knew even before joining Fuqua that I wanted to participate in the Fuqua Client Consulting Practicum (FCCP).
Another important factor in my decision to join FCCP was that I was recruiting for consulting. Since I had no prior consulting experience, I thought it would be valuable to gain consulting-like exposure before starting my summer internship.
Getting Started With FCCP
So, how does the process work? It typically begins in Fall 2. The FCCP team organizes informational sessions where first-years can learn about the experiences of second-year students in the program, as well as the format and timeline. After that, a list of available projects is shared, and students select their preferred projects, explaining how their previous experience can contribute to each project. Finally, students are matched with a project and teammates.
I was part of a team of six, including two classmates from my section (section 5!) whom I hadn’t worked with before. While I didn’t know the others very well initially, I feel fortunate to have collaborated with such a diverse group. Our different nationalities — Nigerian, American, Peruvian, Korean and Venezuelan — and varied backgrounds in fields like financial services, legal practice, engineering, consumer goods and nonprofits made the experience incredibly enriching.
Hands-On Consulting Experience
We worked with Nester Hosiery, a U.S. manufacturer of performance merino wool products, which produces for around 40 brands globally, including Patagonia, REI, LL Bean, Ariat, and Arc’teryx. Our goal was to develop Nester Hosiery’s brand of merino wool socks: Farm to Feet. We met with their team, including the CEO, once a week to discuss our findings and plan our next steps.
Throughout the project, we conducted a current state diagnosis using data analysis to identify key focus areas. We created surveys to assess brand awareness among target consumers, as well as to uncover their preferences and unspoken needs. This information allowed us to prioritize both tactical and strategic recommendations.
Another perk of the project was that the Farm to Feet team provided samples of their socks. As someone unfamiliar with high-performance merino wool socks, wearing them gave me a better understanding of their value. We also distributed some of these samples to the people we surveyed to gather feedback on the socks.
Overall, working on this project has been one of the highlights of my Fuqua experience. From brainstorming with my team and leveraging our diverse backgrounds to gaining my first exposure to working with a U.S. company as an international student, the FCCP experience truly exceeded my expectations.