For Joshua Fuentes MBA’20, pursuing a Willamette MBA was a natural next step after his undergrad experience. Coming from a diverse background in civic communication, media, and sociology—and with leadership roles in sports and fraternity life—Joshua sought an MBA that would offer him both variety and real-world problem-solving opportunities. Now, as an Advisory Analyst at Deloitte, he applies those skills to navigate complex client challenges and contribute to internal initiatives like sustainability.
Joshua’s academic journey began at Willamette University, where he majored in civic communication and media, minored in sociology, and spent four years as the goalkeeper for the men’s soccer team. He also interned at the Oregon State Capitol and served as a founding member and later president of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
After graduation, Joshua spent a year working as an expansion consultant for Beta Theta Pi, where he gained valuable leadership experience. “I knew I didn’t want to take more than a year off before going back to school,” he said.
Joshua’s first year in the MBA program was filled with exploration. He secured a business analyst internship at HP, an experience that gave him insight into corporate culture and operations. While he appreciated the role, he realized that business analysis wasn’t the right long-term fit.
By the start of his second year, Joshua had honed his interests and identified business consulting as his ideal career path. “I liked the variety of the work and solving real-world problems,” he said. After a series of applications, Joshua received an offer from Deloitte in November of his second year.
“I graduated with concentrations in operations, analysis, and systems, as well as human resources,” he said. “The coursework and experiences at Willamette helped me realize consulting was the best match for my strengths.”
Today, Joshua works in the Risk & Financial Advisory group at Deloitte, where he handles a wide array of client needs related to internal audits, cyber risk, financial risk, and more. A typical day varies based on the client’s needs, from leading meetings and presentations to collaborating on long-term projects.
While his role is demanding, Joshua thrives in the fast-paced environment. “It definitely feels like drinking from a firehose sometimes,” he admitted. “But the Willamette MBA program prepared me to quickly dissect valuable information and summarize findings—skills I use every day.”
Joshua also credits the program’s Practical Application for Career and Enterprises (PACE) projects and courses like Principles of Management Consulting for giving him hands-on experience in navigating client relationships and project management.
One of the key takeaways from Joshua’s time at Willamette was the importance of networking and teamwork. “The Willamette MBA network is incredibly strong, especially at Deloitte,” he said. “The alumni are very supportive and help each other find internships and full-time positions.”
He also emphasized the program’s focus on building genuine connections. “Willamette MBA gave me the tools to turn networking conversations into impactful career opportunities,” he said.
Joshua’s experience in the program also taught him how to work effectively in teams—an essential skill in his current role. “In PACE, we faced difficult challenges as a team, which helped prepare me for real-world problem-solving,” he said.
As Joshua looks to the future, he envisions staying with Deloitte for the next two to five years, if not longer. “Deloitte offers so many opportunities, and I can see myself exploring different areas of the firm while continuing to grow professionally,” he said.
Whether it’s through client consulting or internal initiatives, Joshua is confident that his Willamette MBA has set him up for long-term success. “The program gave me the skills to thrive in a collaborative, high-pressure environment. I know there’s a place for me at Deloitte as long as I continue to show my value and stay passionate about the work.”