Pierline Durand

A native Bostonian, Pierline Durand always wanted to go to BU. And as a first-generation college graduate, she is pursuing yet another family first—an MBA.

“Education has always been important to my family,” she says. “BU has vast resources, a great network, and values diversity. Plus, the location is so convenient to where I work in the Financial District.”

Pierline works at Travelers Insurance as an account executive, underwriting management liability risks for publicly traded companies. With a bachelor’s in organization sciences and six years of business experience, she’s looking to strengthen her skills in strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the PEMBA program. The list of things she loves about the program is long.

“First I love my professors. They’re all experts in their fields, and they’re always available to chat and give advice. I didn’t expect to have such a good personal relationship with them.”

As a part-time student working full time, Pierline appreciates the flexible class formats, like evening, weekend, and intensive courses. “Intensives are really helping me get ahead,” she says. “I was actually able to preplan my all coursework from day one, mapping out my entire MBA.”

Another highlight for Pierline is the Questrom community—the diversity and camaraderie. “I didn’t expect to see so many people like me on campus, so it’s been nice to see such diversity among the students. We are a small but mighty group.””

“BU has a special appreciation for PEMBA students,” Pierline adds. “A lot of my classes are with full-timers, in fact, some of my closest friends are full-time MBAs, so in many ways, I feel really integrated into the program.”

Pierline says she’s made lasting connections with all types of students through groups like the Graduate Students of the African Diaspora and the Women’s MBA Association—contacts she knows will be valuable throughout her career.

“I didn’t expect to see so many people like me on campus, but it’s been nice to see such diversity among the students. We are a small but mighty group.”

– Pierline Durand