I stopped seeing my past and present colleagues only as colleagues long ago. Some are close friends, running buddies, travel companions for weekend adventures, while others are mentors and sources of inspiration.
My path to McKinsey
I never considered consulting until a few months before graduation. I was looking for a place where I could grow and feel part of a community. After six years of studying politics and economics in Oxford, Hong Kong, and Glasgow, I left academia and returned home to Romania. I joined McKinsey Bucharest for growth, community, and impact. I found all three.
Developing professionally
When I joined McKinsey as a business analyst, I initially felt lost. With support from my DGL—a senior leader who works with me as a development guide—and colleagues, I became more comfortable and in command of my work. I began to understand that I could shape business decisions and outcomes, rather than just execute them. Because of this, I feel a real obligation to new colleagues. I openly share my early challenges, mistakes, and stories because I want them to have a smooth start.
Rewarding, meaningful experiences
My experience at McKinsey has been wildly diverse. I’ve had the opportunity to work in many industries—banking, IT, telecommunications, and retail—across six countries. I’ve supported financial institutions in major cities, and I’ve also worked in mining on a small island. Recently, I started working more in the digital space—specifically, in advanced analytics. It is exciting to help businesses grow through the internal power of their own data.
The people at McKinsey
When I speak about McKinsey to friends, family, or prospective candidates, my conversation always goes to people. The people at McKinsey remind me of the people I met at Oxford. Every person has an interesting, unique life story and is eager to tell it. Regardless of what makes us unique – our experiences, education, nationality, primary language – we all share a similar commitment to be the best version of ourselves every day. On the team level, this means that by working closely together, supporting each other, and trusting one another to do our jobs, we merge into a single unit with one goal - to serve the client. On a personal level, I stopped seeing my past and present colleagues only as colleagues long ago. Some are close friends, running buddies, travel companions for weekend adventures, while others are mentors and sources of inspiration.
Best Thing About Working at McKinsey Bucharest
When I walk into the Bucharest office, I instantly feel part of a community that I am proud of and for which I feel responsible. It’s a place where I can always find guidance, support, and laughter.
Education
University of OxfordMA, international development
University of Glasgow & University of Hong Kong
BA, politics and economics