Tactical Transitions: From the U.S. Army to Strategic Consulting

“I felt like the school picked me at that point. I was looking for values and IE Business School matched everything I stood for, from sustainability and social impact to networking and social entrepreneurship. I saw it all and immediately knew this school was the one for me.”
Ashley Duffins, IE Business School International MBA

Meet Ashley Duffins, an IE Business School International MBA graduate from the United States. Born and raised in South Carolina, Ashley spent most of her adult years on the East Coast prior to joining the military. Her story took her worldwide, with an important chapter unfolding in Madrid, Spain.

Ashley loves traveling and has been to a variety of places across the world, some locations on her own merit and over 16 countries due to her service in the US Army. She used her travels as a way to learn something new, broaden her perspective on life and see the world through a different lens, taking in as much as possible along the way. One of her favorite experiences was studying and working in South Korea. The chance to immerse herself in a new culture and language during her undergraduate studies helped her understand what she was looking for in a master’s program—which really wasn’t on the radar until the global pandemic changed her plans. 

Everything surrounding COVID-19 shook something up inside Ashley. Before applying to IE Business School, she aspired to become a product manager working in tech at a big-name company. But the pandemic came with a hiring freeze that put a damper on all those ideas. It was back to the drawing board for Ashley, and she drew herself an international picture of what her future would be. “One thing that stood out was that every job description here in the United States required an MBA. I could continue down the product-manager-working-in-tech route, or I can level up and challenge myself during times of uncertainty,” she explains. The military gave her the worldview she needed to take a chance and apply abroad, and IE Business School’s prestigious reputation and award-winning programs provided the assurance of solid ground in times of change.

Her International MBA adventure at IE Business School was incredible, she says, but what stood out the most throughout her academic journey was every professor with whom she crossed paths. Some courses were more challenging to her than others due to the varied curriculum, but those are the ones she now draws from most in her day-to-day role. The professors who pushed her to bring her best to the table, who made classes she never dreamed would be enjoyable fun—they are part of the reason why Ashley landed her current position as a ‘senior strategy consultant’. They ensured each class was interesting and hands-on, which allowed her to walk away with skills she continues to use today. “My favorite memory from my time at IE Business School is the fact that I took the curriculum with me. I didn’t just put a toolbox together and lock it—I actually pull things from it daily. I really appreciate that.”

More than the faculty and the knowledge gained, Ashley was able to work alongside different people from different places and backgrounds toward the same goal. Everyone had their own unique outlook and could offer insights from various walks of life. Ashley thought she was prepared for this type of learning environment; spoiler alert, she was not. Instead, she was challenged every day by her classmates to see things from another angle and think a little differently, which has carried over into her current working style.

The program pushed Ashley to a more advanced level of transformational leadership -she learned how to negotiate, utilize her creativity, and explore new responsibilities. “As a ‘senior strategy consultant’,” she says, “I have to make decisions that will have long-term impacts,” adding, “My courses in strategy and operations taught me to think outside the box and look at things with an open mind.”

Ashley moved to Madrid with open eyes, open ears, and an open heart, eager to absorb every bit of knowledge and experience available both inside and outside the classroom. IE Business School played a pivotal role in this journey, not only by enriching her academic life but also by helping her navigate challenges on the administrative side, ensuring a smooth transition into this chapter. And while she wishes her Spanish language skills were a bit stronger, she was proud to have adapted to Spanish culture quickly. She gained a new level of patience, as well as a fresh ‘up-for-anything’ attitude. By the end of the program, Ashley wanted to stay in Spain, but a job offer took her back to the US. That said, she knows she’ll be back one day to work for an international company or simply as part of a digital nomad experience.

Her time in the International MBA helped her find her purpose and guided her toward the next exciting chapter in her life. “IE Business School gave me an international environment that was different from those I’d been in before. I truly think IE Business School sets the precedent for other schools to follow. The institution is ahead of every other university based on its values alone. I'm proud to say I went to a school that continues to get better every day.”