I considered myself an industry practitioner, and McKinsey, being a management consulting firm, was not at the top of my list of places to work. This was mainly because I didn’t think the firm would allow me to utilize the specialized skills I’d learned in university, however I was convinced otherwise during my interview.
My assessor provided an overview of the problems McKinsey teams solve, along with insight on the clients they serve in the transportation space. This solidified in my mind that this could be a place where I could put my skills to use
I received my bachelor of science in industrial engineering at Bahir Dar University and my master of science in transportation systems at the Technical University of Munich. During my studies, I worked as a research assistant in a railway-engineering lab near Munich, and then spent a year at Daimler AG in Stuttgart before joining McKinsey in Düsseldorf.
I discovered the firm when I was immersed in a rapid transit system design and planning project, and then later during a literature review for my master’s thesis. The firm was instrumental in helping an innovative rapid-transit system, as part of the project management team, and led the way in conceptualizing contractual setup between the private operators and the system.
I dug a little deeper and learned McKinsey is a large firm, with a presence on all continents, serving every industry imaginable. I closely monitored the open roles on the job search, and when a position focused on travel, transport, and logistics opened, I applied.
I joined the firm in 2013, and I am currently a capabilities and insights specialist in our Waltham, MA, office. I provide expertise to clients in the transportation industry and help them address specific challenges in the logistics-value chain, focusing on maritime shipping, ports, and the freight-rail industry.
A DEFINING MOMENT
I considered myself an industry practitioner, and McKinsey, being a management consulting firm, was not at the top of my list of places to work. This was mainly because I didn’t think the firm would allow me to utilize the specialized skills I’d learned in university, however I was convinced otherwise during my interview.
My assessor provided an overview of the problems McKinsey teams solve, along with insight on the clients they serve in the transportation space. This solidified in my mind that this could be a place where I could put my skills to use.
STRONG SUPPORT FROM THE GET-GO
The size of McKinsey, the amount of knowledge stored across tools and platforms, and the high level of expertise can be overwhelming at first. McKinsey is a perfectly oiled machine, and the bar is high.
It took on-the-job learning, training, and support from my colleagues to grow my understanding of the tools, values, and ways of working in the firm. My manager, peers, and mentors made it all easier by providing the guidance I needed to make my own McKinsey.
Earlier in my career, I became more interested in the freight side of the transportation landscape than the passenger side. I discussed this new interest with my development-group leader, a senior colleague I was paired with for my evaluation and who offered strategic guidance on my development and growth at the firm. After our discussion, I added a goal to my professional development plans to dive deeper into shipping and ports and the wider freight landscape so I could expand my knowledge in the space.
My manager, my development-group leader, and my mentor ensured I was exposed to the industry I was interested in and the client work to match. I am grateful for their investment in me and for helping me chart my own path.
That’s what is so special about McKinsey. Regardless of your previous background, when you discover what you want to do and ask for it, the firm will provide the training, guidance, and infrastructure to help you build the right knowledge and hone the skills you’ll need to succeed in the position.
More about me
At McKinsey, I am a member of the McKinsey Black Network, which has become a source of support. Through the network, I have found mentors who help me shape my path in the firm, as well as receive training to refine the skills needed to continue being successful.
I love playing soccer, and I am a member of the McKinsey Boston soccer affinity group. In my spare time, I bake, brew beer, and enjoy a good cup of coffee.