McKinsey West Coast

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I first joined McKinsey as part of the firm’s Summer Business Analyst Program. After spending twelve weeks on two projects and learning more than I imagined about large trucks in Asia and hospital emergency departments, I was convinced that McKinsey offered a unique opportunity to explore work across the full range of sectors and functions. I re-joined as a full-time business analyst (BA).

Engaging, substantively, with colleagues across all tenures

What I find to be incredibly surprising and inspirational is how seriously the firm takes its commitment to being non-hierarchical and inclusive. It is striking how BAs are not only encouraged but are expected to be active contributors and thought partners within McKinsey teams. Having the opportunity to engage substantively with colleagues across all tenures, as well as being able and obligated to dissent where appropriate, has certainly increased my confidence and helped instill a sense of ownership in the firm in a very short amount of time.

A growing sense of confidence

I notice, both in myself and in my fellow BAs, a growing sense of confidence in being able to approach an unfamiliar situation and effectively understand key issues, develop a point of view, and work with a team to arrive at solutions. And the range of solutions is always expanding, from developing a labor framework for a healthcare system or defining an international growth strategy for an automobile manufacturer.

Entrepreneurism and innovation is incredibly exciting at WCO

A special quality of the West Coast office that I’ve noticed is a sense of entrepreneurism and innovation that is incredibly exciting and is reflected in in different facets of the office. As an example, a recent initiative that we discussed at our West Coast office town hall is employing innovative staffing models to better serve smaller and growing clients for whom traditional, large-scale consulting engagements may not be the right approach. Given that we live in a region that has defined itself through innovation, it is great to see that McKinsey’s West Coast office is committed to taking risks and exploring new ideas.