How McKinsey turbocharged learning for one banking expert

I was born and raised in Vietnam. It was July 20, 2020 — my mom’s birthday — when I received the email from McKinsey inviting me to take the pre-assessment test. Then on November 23, 2020 — my birthday — I received the offer to join the firm. The two dates made my 2020 despite challenges of the pandemic.

How McKinsey turbocharged learning for one banking expert
How McKinsey turbocharged learning for one banking expert

The process went smoothly thanks to the support I received from the firm. For instance, after the online test, I was immediately paired with an interview mentor, who took the time to answer my questions and help me prepare for the case interviews.

His help, along with the support from the recruiting team, built up my confidence and I aced the interview. I still remember how amazing it felt when I received the welcome calls from the office partner and the practice partner. They made me feel welcomed and valued. It felt like joining a family, not just a company.

Ramping up in my new role

McKinsey provided support from Day 1. I was teamed up with a mentor on my first project, who coached and guided me through the “McKinsey way” of approaching problems and working with clients. I also had exposure to leadership who continued to shape my thinking and boost my confidence.

I was confident about my banking knowledge when I joined and I learned from colleagues and leaders at a rapid pace. McKinsey trained me to look at things more holistically, from multiple angles and perspectives. That can be hard to do when you work in a specialized function within a bank but is incredibly valuable.

My role at McKinsey

How McKinsey turbocharged learning for one banking expert
How McKinsey turbocharged learning for one banking expert

I am a management consultant on the banking expert track within the Asia Banking Performance Accelerator. Our main focuses are broad-based retail and small and medium enterprise banking, driving analytics-led transformation and building digital capabilities.

Before joining the firm, I worked as the partnership and affluent products head at Citibank Vietnam and Singapore for about six years, focused in several areas, including credit products, development and strategy, partnerships, and sales and distribution.

I chose McKinsey because I want to see how long-term banking strategy is made and executed at its finest, and bring my industry know-how to serve our clients.

Finding work/life balance

McKinsey is a great place for people who seek constant learning. We are a curious, driven, and diverse group of people who constantly push boundaries to solve some of the toughest problems for our clients. While our work can be intense, my teammates and leadership respect my personal time and commitments, and part of the firm culture is that weekends are largely off-limits. That allows me to recharge and refocus so I can learn and focus on the next challenge.

Find a role like Steve’s

More about me

I hold a master’s in finance from Fox School of Business at Temple University. Outside of work, I am a sports enthusiast and a fairly good cook. My master chef dish is steak. I also play tennis every week.

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