My Experience With the WIB Boston Consulting Trip
LARISSA FLORA
Office tours with bagels on the side, recruiting advice topped with pizza, and networking over pastries - February 8th was an exciting Thursday for the members of Brown Women in Business who attended our Spring 2024 Boston Consulting trip.
On our trek to Boston, we had the opportunity to visit the offices of 3 of the biggest strategy consulting firms: Bain & Company, Deloitte, and McKinsey. During our visits, we were exposed to the consulting world inside of the industry leaders. However, the most valuable part of the experience was gaining insight into the subjective opinion of the employees; learning about the unique cultures and approaches of these industry giants, beyond their impressive success, provided a deeper understanding of what sets them apart from each other.
The word “consulting” is often thrown around by professionals in the industry as well as students looking to break into the corporate world; however, for many, it’s not clear what this profession entails. During our three visits, I came to realize that consulting is a multifaceted profession that involves providing expert advice and guidance to businesses across various industries. Consultants leverage their specialized knowledge, analytical skills, and experience to address complex problems, such as identifying inefficiencies, risks, and growth opportunities within a company, helping clients achieve their objectives and stay competitive in the marketplace. Consulting is renowned for its demanding nature, particularly for newcomers, who quickly develop essential hard skills transferable to any corporate job. This dynamic environment not only makes consulting an engaging long-term career path but also serves as an excellent entry point into related areas like finance.
We started the day at Bain’s Boston office, where the static energy of the office surprised us as we walked in. During our visit, we had the chance to talk to 5 employees in their first months or years at the company - all of whom had joined Bain right out of college. They highlighted the opportunities Bain & Company gives their employees to explore other career paths, such as spending a semester in a consumer product company, international think tanks, startup companies, etc, as a chance to increase their skills as a consultant and enhance their knowledge of other industries.
Upon our arrival at Deloitte, we were greeted by a cohort of Brown alumni employed in the Government & Public Services sector within the company. Within Deloitte's consulting division, employees explained that, unlike many other firms, they are tasked with sourcing projects autonomously. This approach cultivates the ability for employees to advocate for themselves—a vital skill set advancing within the corporate hierarchy. Another interesting point raised by one of the panelists was the often-overlooked differentiation between functional and technical consulting within companies. While functional consulting typically involves providing guidance in operational areas of businesses, such as finance and supply chain management, technical consultants leverage their computer science knowledge to advise clients on technology-related issues like software development and data analytics. This differentiation broadens the appeal of consulting as a career path, especially for those with backgrounds in computer science and technology.
At McKinsey&Co., our final destination, we encountered a diverse cohort of employees spanning various sectors and career stages. Their key emphasis was on the steep learning curve inherent in the consulting industry during the initial years. They noted that the demanding workload fosters the development of invaluable hard skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and analysis, alongside vital interpersonal abilities such as communication and leadership. They underscored that the work culture at the company prioritizes possessing the right skills over having prior experience or knowledge. Additionally, they highlighted McKinsey's substantial investment in employee education and personal development, which ensures professionals feel supported when honing these essential skills.
In hindsight, this trip was more than a chance to better understand the subtle differences between these consulting industry giants. The Spring 2024 Boston consulting trip offered a great opportunity to network with industry professionals. Engaging face-to-face with employees is incredibly worthwhile for individuals at all stages of interest, from unsure freshmen to upperclassmen already pursuing careers in this sector. It not only provides insights into the personal and subjective aspects of the job (like work-life balance and community) but also has the potential to bear fruit down the line.
Building connections with recruiters and employees can make a difference in future recruiting processes, as you'll have an advocate within the company. Even if consulting isn't your primary focus, this experience offers a chance to improve your networking skills and explore new industries, which is vital for future internships or full-time role pursuits in all industries.
A special thank you to Safiya Rajwani, Juliana Lederman, Katie Player, Ellie Wilkie, and Grace Brose at Bain&Company, Ishani Mehta, Erica Rothschild, Sarah Whitney, Callie Zingas, Cal Stellato, and Ellie Barksdale at Deloitte, and Ellen Alemann, Maddie Thomas, Mary Feldmann, Luisa Armstrong, Austin Lessin, Nimsu Ng, Lexie van Waes, and Maria Kaouris at McKinsey&Co.