What's your job about?

I work for Oliver Wyman, a leading management consulting firm that helps organizations tackle complex challenges in areas such as strategy development, operational improvement, and change management. My responsibilities typically include conducting research, analysing data, and collaborating with team members to deliver actionable insights and recommendations to our clients.

On a typical day, I start by reviewing project objectives and aligning with my team on our goals. I often spend time collecting data through interviews and surveys, which helps us understand our clients' needs and challenges. After collecting the data, I dive into analysis, identifying trends and key findings that will inform our recommendations. I also prepare presentations to communicate our insights clearly and effectively to clients. This involves creating visual aids and summarizing complex information in a way that is easy to understand.

Throughout the week, I collaborate closely with my team, participating in brainstorming sessions and strategy discussions to refine our approach. I also engage with clients, presenting our findings and gathering their feedback to ensure our solutions align with their expectations.

An interesting aspect of my role is the variety it offers; no two projects are the same. One week, I might be working with a tech company on digital transformation, and the next, I could be helping a bank with redesign its target operating model. This diversity keeps my work exciting and allows me to learn about different industries and challenges.

What's your background?

I grew up in Canberra, and after graduating high school, I took a transformative gap year to travel through Canada and Europe with my best friend. Upon returning, I moved to Sydney to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Sydney, majoring in Business Analytics and Psychology. This combination equipped me with strong quantitative skills in data analysis using Python and Excel, while my psychology studies honed my understanding of consumer behaviour and decision-making processes. These two majors enabled me to bring to business problems two contrasting lenses - a quantitative and analytical view, alongside a behavioural and psycho-social view of human behaviour.

During my studies, I worked in various roles, including as a support worker for a young girl with disabilities and in operations support for a funds management firm. These varied experiences taught me about my love for variety and wanting to be thrown into new challenges, across a range of industries and sectors. 

However, my journey into consulting began with my involvement in the 180 Degrees Consulting club at university, followed by an internship at KPMG, where I learned a number of essential consulting skills. This path led me to apply for a graduate position at Oliver Wyman, where I have been working for 18 months. While my route to consulting may not be traditional, the varied experiences I’ve gained have shaped who I am and enriched my approach to tackling complex business challenges.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes, someone with a different background can absolutely do my job. One of the most compelling aspects of consulting is the value of diverse teams, which bring a variety of perspectives to problem-solving. This diversity fosters innovative solutions tailored to client needs.

Key characteristics for success in this role include the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new information, strong emotional intelligence, and excellent interpersonal skills. Additionally, analytical thinking is crucial for conducting thorough analyses and drawing meaningful insights. A willingness to collaborate and communicate effectively with others is also essential in this dynamic environment.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

The coolest part of my job is the transferrable toolkit of skills it forces you develop. It gives you the confidence and ability to pick up any business problem with very little preparation or background knowledge and apply logical frameworks to draw hypothesis and come up with a solution. This is a skill that you can take with you for the rest of your life to be comfortable being thrown into unfamiliar environments and tackle confidently problems.

What are the limitations of your job?

The work can be quite demanding, often requiring long hours and short deadlines, especially during critical project phases. The role can be intense, as I frequently switch between different industries and project types. This constant change means I often face steep learning curves, which can sometimes feel overwhelming at the beginning. For someone considering this career path, it’s important to recognize that the cyclical nature of projects can lead to periods of intensity and the need for adaptability, which may not suit everyone’s work style.

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

1. Go and try as many experiences, internships and jobs as you can to work out what you want to do, what you like and what your strengths are. Even finding out what you don’t want to do is just as value as what you do want to do
2. Start embedding healthy habits and self-care into your life. University and graduate roles can be intense and setting up some non-negotiable habits now will make sure you don’t burn out early.
3. Try not to compare yourself to others. Everyone is on their own career journey and there’s no set timeline!