Marcus
Business Analyst
Why McKinsey?
From the moment I entered college, my career aspiration has been to serve companies in a capacity that allows me to learn the intricate details of how corporate leaders make business decisions. As a Business Analyst, the chance to be a valued team member responsible for leading problem solving, conducting complex analysis, engaging senior client members, and always having a perspective were unique in comparison to other careers. McKinsey forced me to think critically and creatively to come up with solutions to complex problems, and the level of responsibility entrusted to me proved that the firm would provide the tools and support to help me grow as a professional along with giving me with opportunities to demonstrate my abilities.
“The level of responsibility entrusted to me proved that the firm would help me grow as a professional.”
We Wear Our Sunglasses
The morning before my first study began, I headed to the airport with an uneasy feeling. What would the team expect of me, would they be interesting people to work with, would they judge me before getting to know me? As I exited the car on the bright, sunny Monday, I looked at my sunglasses, a seemingly insignificant accessory to a normal college student’s wardrobe. I wondered, how would the team view me if I wear these … are they too trendy, is McKinsey too conservative for sunglasses? I decided I would bring them, but not wear them around the team. When we arrived in the client’s city, the sun was even brighter than it had been in Atlanta, and shortly after leaving the airport, all three of my team members reached into their briefcases and pulled out their chic sunglasses. It was a relief to see that although these people are regarded as some of the most brilliant minds in business, they are still down-to-earth enough to recognize the importance of a good pair of sunglasses!
Coaching Others
My greatest moment of satisfaction came during recruiting as a Morehouse College team captain. There was a student who had been interested in McKinsey since his sophomore year. He applied for a Summer Business Analyst position and was not chosen, but we invited him back for full-time interviews. I explained to him that he needed to put in the time and effort to really prepare for the case interviews. He took my words to heart and formed a study group that met every night for six weeks. Unfortunately, his first round of interviews did not go well. But based on his commitment and desire to work at the firm, the committee passed him to the second round. The day before his final round interview, I woke up early to help him prepare one final time. We went through the case and it was perfect. The next day I received a call from recruiters letting me know that he had received an offer.
Learning to Listen
Being in an environment where people are so intelligent, I have found it necessary and also advantageous just to listen to what they have to say. People will tell you what they want, how you can provide it, and ways you can become better at helping them. A highly respected partner once told me, “Marcus, just listen to people. They will listen to you and respect you more when you have something truly important to say.”
Adding Value
Since joining McKinsey I have worked on several interesting projects, ranging from supply chain strategy for a leading retailer to a marketing strategy for the residential segment of a major power company. One of my most interesting projects was developing a new 5 to 10 year growth strategy for the board of directors of a large transportation company, resulting in $2 billion dollars in increased enterprise value. I was responsible for conducting market research to determine where the company should position itself for optimum growth, developing a model forecasting change in company performance based on different growth scenarios (acquisitions, performance improvements, increased market penetration), and helping coach two new BAs through what was expected of them as junior consultants.
Personal Favorites
Favorite book: Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond. One of my passions is learning about the history of societies. Guns, Germs and Steel vividly describes the progression of society and factors that shaped the cultures of this world. It provided a solid fact base to explain why certain cultures developed the technology and knowledge to advance to a higher level of complexity and why certain societies did not. More importantly, I believe this book provided the best holistic view of the world’s societies than any other book I have read up until this point.
Favorite movie: "Finding Forrester" is the first movie I saw where I could truly relate with the main character and the dilemma he had to face between academics and athletics.
Hobbies/interests: I enjoy reading about the history of cultures, people and business. I also enjoy playing golf, traveling, watching comedies, and completing logic puzzles.
Something fun/crazy/special/unique about me: While I was in high school, I was the co-host of a local television show called "Teen Express". I was responsible for creating weekly topics, booking guests and developing interviews. Some of the topics discussed were preparing for college, family relationships, crime within the city/ school, heterosexuality/ homosexuality, and city politics. Guests included the public school superintendent, police chief, NAACP President, and mayor.
Favorite place that you’ve traveled to, and why? Cape Town, South Africa. Going to Africa for the first time is an experience that is difficult to describe. Knowing that many of my ancestors yearned, but never had the means to return to Africa made me appreciate the opportunity on a deeper level. It was not just a place with beautiful ocean views, picturesque landscapes, and great wine; it was a chance for me to reconnect with a culture. The importance of the trip was solidified when a waiter at one of the restaurants told me, “Welcome home.”