One thing that makes working here so unique is the emphasis on an entrepreneurial spirit.
This means you'll have the firm’s support as you pursue programs close to your heart, whether it's working in a particular practice or field of study, launching a new program, or changing the way something has traditionally been done.
Make a difference
One of the most fulfilling aspects of this job is making a positive impact on people's lives. Our global presence gives us a unique ability to work as one firm on top-of-mind issues.
For example, in 2005, Jennifer was a business analyst who participated in the Indonesian post-tsunami effort. She says, “We were in a unique situation where we were working with top leaders of government and private industry to help Indonesia define, design, and implement the best role that they could play in the reconstruction.”
She adds, “I think this was one of the most in-demand projects we have ever had at McKinsey. We had consultants from all over the US and Europe, and of course associates and analysts in Indonesia. It was truly a global effort.”
Form lifelong friendships
One of the most unexpected perks McKinsey consultants talk about is the lifelong friendships they make here. We work in close teams, and our teams change every 2 to 6 months.
Teams consist of consultants from a range of tenures, backgrounds, office locations, and clients. The trust that is built working in teams, combined with our firm's emphasis on mentorship, fosters deep relationships.
Tracey, a director in our Washington, DC office, says: “Before joining, I thought McKinsey was going to be a stodgy, uptight place. That is not true. In fact, McKinsey is an amazing collection of interesting individuals. Some of my closest friends are at McKinsey or are alumni…it makes McKinsey more than just a place to work.”
Carve a new path
You may find that you are passionate about a particular program or study that does not yet exist within the firm. In those cases, you can make a solid case to receive the resources you need to create it.
That’s what happened when Tracey, the director mentioned above, proposed that McKinsey should be involved in an initiative about what companies in the food and retail industry could do about the obesity epidemic in the United States.
She says, “We had a full-time team working…to come up with an agenda that the industry could drive to try to address the obesity epidemic—specific initiatives with children, families, and government. It was an unbelievable experience to work on an issue that impacts millions of people.”
Pursuing our personal dreams
Consultants with global travel schedules take full advantage of world-class travel opportunities: hiking the Swiss Alps, snowboarding in Austria, and sampling local cuisine in Thailand.
If your passions happen to be closer to home, you might serve as board member for an organization important to you, coach your child’s sports team, or train for a marathon.