Before McKinsey, my only work experience was opening a swimwear company with friends. We won prize money we could only use to open a business, so we imported and sold swimwear. It didn’t last long but it was a great learning experience, and it aligned with my strong interest in retail.
I earned my undergraduate and master’s degrees in business, but when McKinsey reached out to me about applying for a position, given the prestige of the firm, I thought it was a long shot I’d get the job, but I applied anyway. The interview process went well, and I received an offer. At the same time, I was considering an offer from a leader in retail.
Changing my plan to join McKinsey
While I’d planned to go into retail, I accepted the McKinsey offer because I felt the firm would open doors for me and offer more learning opportunities. If I went into retail, I’d only know one industry, which may have limited how much I could learn. McKinsey would expose me to new opportunities and super talented people from whom I could learn.
It all turned out to be true. I learned more in my first four months at McKinsey than in all my prior years of personal and academic experiences. I’ve learned people and technical skills, but the accountability required of you truly drives your growth. Within two weeks, I was being put into rooms with high-profile people—and being encouraged to offer my opinion. The trust built my confidence, drove me to take ownership of my work, and made me feel comfortable in my role. McKinsey empowered me.
My role at McKinsey
I work primarily in the public sector and banking industry as an engagement manager. We work with clients to define the deliverables of a project and set priorities. Then I work with my teams and the client to problem-solve strategies, resolve issues, and develop work that will lead us to achieve the set goals in the agreed timelines.
The thing I love most about my work is the magnitude of difference we can make. For example, I’ve worked on multiple projects in African countries to develop mobile money solutions, which can allow people to transfer money from one cell phone to the other, even if they didn’t have bank accounts or smartphones. This work can do so much good in Africa. It helps increase financial inclusion, allowing more money to go into the formal banking system. It creates business opportunities, enabling people to sell produce, fish, or other wares at markets. It may also prevent people from getting robbed and losing everything they have because they aren’t carrying money on them. Our work is positively affecting real lives—and that means something to me.
McKinsey is family
When I was interviewing here, I asked people “What do you like about working at McKinsey?” Nearly everyone said it was the people. I didn’t buy it, because the one thing they were saying was the one thing I couldn’t evaluate. After all, I wouldn’t work with the same people they did. Now that I’ve been here a few years, I can say it’s true.
McKinsey feels like home to me. I met my husband at McKinsey, and we had an entire table of McKinsey colleagues at our wedding. I work with my friends, which is incredible, but it’s the support I’ve received from the firm that makes me love this place. I had a troubling pregnancy, and after being away for about a year for parental leave, I was scared to rejoin the workforce. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue on my trajectory.
The firm offered me a flexible program, and the people around me helped make it work. They were understanding, which made it easier for me to get back into the swing of things.
At McKinsey, we have a caring atmosphere, and everyone feels accountable for one another’s success; we also push one another. Our work is challenging, and the hours can be long, but we have flexibility, we respect one another’s boundaries, we communicate well, and we work to ensure everyone’s needs are getting met outside of this demanding, but rewarding, job. That, coupled with the impact we can have makes this the ideal place for me.
More about me
At McKinsey, I’m involved in recruiting efforts, and I’ve led various women’s leadership workshops. When I’m not at work, I spend my time with my husband and children. I love to cook and eat, and occasionally binge watch Netflix. On some weekends, we like to take trips and explore other countries.