Juan
Engagement Manager
I was restless before joining McKinsey. I had earned a double degree in law and business administration in Spain, and I was working in capital markets for a high-powered law firm. I wasn’t being challenged and after a long conversation with a friend who was working at McKinsey, I decided to join. Now, my colleagues support me as part of a team effort, and I’m no longer tied to the same desk. During my first year with McKinsey I spent most of my time in Mexico, Brazil, and Chile, and part of my second year in Italy, France, and Spain.
“Before McKinsey, I wasn’t used to telling my superiors, ‘I think you’re mistaken and this is why.’”
McKinsey values my contributions
When McKinsey puts you in front of a CEO you have to grow up very quickly. In my first month, I was given important assignments and I realized that they valued and trusted me. I could talk openly with my seniors, which was quite a surprise, compared to my previous jobs. Not only were they open to dissent, they wanted to hear what I thought.
Both stretched and supported
On my first engagement, I went to Brazil to work with a bank. As soon as my plane landed I went immediately to a meeting with the client and a McKinsey team member, where I was introduced as the man “who’s going to help us solve the problem.” It was an intimidating situation, and I thought I should head for the nearest church and start praying. But you can always find the right support here, whenever you need it. Right after the meeting, I called my engagement manager in Madrid who’s very knowledgeable about banking. She told me exactly what I needed to explore to find the answers I was looking for.
The people I work with motivate me
McKinsey people have diverse backgrounds and are interesting, genuinely nice, and care about how well you do. Their competencies, skills, and expertise continually motivate me to exceed my own expectations. They also volunteer for many non-profit initiatives, which is important to me. In fact, two weeks from now my assignment involves traveling to Tanzania to help a Dutch foundation develop plans for the construction of a medical school.
My Hispanic background is an asset
On some engagements in South America, I have been the only Spanish-speaking consultant—that’s a very central role. I also take an active part in the firm’s efforts to attract more Hispanic professionals based in North America, and to ensure that their adjustment to the company runs smoothly. We have much to offer the Latino community in North America, and we can develop critical links when we do studies throughout the Spanish-speaking world.