Prior to McKinsey, I worked as a product manager for the Chinese online travel agency Qunar.com and the Chinese online video platform iQIYI. We served billions of users in China, and the work was exciting and satisfying.
However, by the summer of 2020, I felt ready to try something new, so I accepted a position as a senior digital analyst with McKinsey’s Digital practice in Shanghai. My work at the firm focuses on the consumer, advanced industries, and global energy & materials sectors.
Choosing my own McKinsey
Once I joined McKinsey, the possibilities opened beyond my wildest imagination.
Here you can explore different industries, work with different leaders and team members, or choose which cities you want to explore (pre COVID-19). You can try new projects and adapt your role, for example, shifting from product manager to strategy planning, business analyst, or PMO.
In just one year, I've worked with clients across several industries, including global energy & materials, auto, pharmaceuticals & medical products, and consumer industries. I’ve traveled to mountains and deserts. I’ve supported multinational corporations, state-owned enterprises, and pre-IPO companies. I've been given ownership of many roles and responsibilities and grown so much beyond a traditional product manager.
Growing through support and initiative
At McKinsey, you can shape your career, and succeed with support from your mentors. There are many opportunities for apprenticeships, and you can ask to work on projects about which you’re passionate.
For example, it was a dream of mine to join a global project and work in an international office. During a one-on-one meeting with leadership—which McKinsey encourages to help me define and develop my career path—I expressed my desire. To my surprise, the leader moved it forward and had conversations with other leaders to make it all happen for me. After his discussions, he listed the promising offices I could join and outlined all the resources I needed for the different locations, including language requirements or the respective visas. He suggested next steps and even offered additional support if needed.
To have someone take my career so seriously, offering his time, effort, and resources to help me realize my dream is a fantastic feeling.