With a wide range of expertise in diverse spheres, McKinsey makes it easy to explore your passions, upskill in new areas, and drive innovation.
Discovering my true passion
McKinsey helped me discover my true professional passion: analytics. I have a background in political science and economics, and I joined the firm with a focus on the public sector—but I was soon exposed to analytics, which really piqued my interest. I was given the opportunity to collaborate with the advanced analytics team in our Wroclaw office and build my analytics skillset through firm-sponsored training. I began to drive internal initiatives—such as automating processes—which helped me develop skills that I could apply to client work.
I soon saw the potential to bridge the gap between traditional research and advanced analytics. This inspired me to launch and lead a firm capability focused on project automation and data analytics. This is the nature of the firm: with a wide range of expertise in diverse spheres, McKinsey makes it easy to explore your passions, upskill in new areas, and drive innovation.
Not a typical workplace
I used to think all workplaces were the same—highly competitive environments characterized by micromanagement. McKinsey is the complete opposite; I am part of a team that genuinely cares about my wellbeing. For instance, my colleagues became my support system during a very difficult period when I relocated to Korea for a few months to look after my family. With my team’s constant trust and support, I was able to balance my personal and professional responsibilities and continue to focus on the work that I love.
Challenges bring rewards
One automation project that took eight months to complete was particularly challenging—but also highly rewarding. It involved redesigning the reporting tool for an automotive client’s five-year transformation plan so that it could generate around 200 fully customized presentations, showing the status of 9,500 initiatives with just the click of a button. The sense of satisfaction in getting that right was worth every minute!
Building capabilities
The skills you gained in school will serve as a solid foundation for a career at McKinsey, whatever your academic background. You will have ample opportunity to build hard skills by working across different industries and business functions, while simultaneously strengthening your soft skills. In my case, my global work at the firm has greatly improved my communication skills: I have learned that some settings and cultures call for detailed written communication, while in others a more personal approach is appreciated. I’d encourage anyone joining McKinsey to embrace the opportunities the firm offers to build your capabilities.