Minjung

Associate

A lot of opportunities in a short time

At McKinsey, you really have a chance to explore very different types of industries. Since I joined less than 2 years ago, I’ve worked in health care, consumer electronics, finance, and even shipbuilding. It’s very exciting to me that I can experience so many business sectors as part of just one job.

The human factor

I think the human factor is a key reason why we create so much success for our clients. It’s only by working closely with clients in real face-to-face interactions that honest, compelling communication and understanding occur. That’s where I sense the emotion and build up trust. Our clients get to know us very well, and we get to know them very well. That’s important, since it’s not always easy for them to hear a recommendation. But our clients very quickly understand and trust that we are being honest, and giving them our true understanding of what will help them the most.

Growing to understand what’s important

It was actually because I initially took on such a heavy work load that I realized the true importance of work-life balance—specifically as it relates to my family. Because I was busy, I saw them less than I had before I joined the firm, and I realized how important they were to me. Now, I’m based nearer to them and to my friends, and I value my time with them even more than I did in the past.

Helping peopleI have had three engagements in the Korean health care sector, two for pharmaceutical companies and one for a hospital, and in each case I can really say that I was doing work not just for the companies, but for the people who benefited from them. In one case, I made some important recommendations that I could never have made if I didn’t work for McKinsey as a consultant. That was very rewarding for me—to know that I’m a not just doing a job, but that I’m also helping my people.