Why I decided to apply
During my studies I gained some work experience at law firms. Although I liked the subject matter, I mostly worked by myself and found my tasks quite repetitive. When I met some McKinsey people during a recruitment event in London I realized how much more their firm had to offer. At McKinsey, there is a lot of variation in the work we do. The close interaction with team members and high profile clients makes the work very engaging.
My first thought when I started at McKinsey
“Wow, these people are all so smart.”
And on second thought
I quickly found that McKinsey is serious about helping you develop as a person to become the best consultant you can be. During my very first project, for instance, the two senior members on the team were constantly coaching me. They made sure that I was able to manage more and more responsibility along the way.
Favorite movie
Donnie Darko—a coming-of-age drama with an amazing 80s soundtrack, and an incomprehensible time-travel plot. What else could one want from a movie?
Favorite Web site
Definitely Last.fm: it keeps track of all the songs you listen to and uses the data to recommend new artists and upcoming concerts.
Activities outside McKinsey
Running during winter and cycling during summer. I try to do a multi-week cycling trip every other summer—in a place a little less flat than the Netherlands.
Favorite bar in Amsterdam
I really like the L&B Whiskycafé in the Korte Leidsedwarsstraat.
What next?
Hopefully, getting to work on a project in Africa or the Middle East.