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Adita, Senior Risk Consultant at KPMG: Advize Career Interview
A recent interview with a KPMG Senior Risk Consultant, Adita, reveals a dynamic career path fueled by academic excellence at Bandung Institute of Technology and ESSEC Business School, complemented by impactful extracurricular leadership.
The role demands strong communication, teamwork, and adaptability, presenting challenges like managing unpredictable client expectations but rewarding increased client interaction and leadership development.
Adita emphasizes the steep learning curve and diverse experiences within the consulting industry, highlighting the importance of a high willingness to learn, going the extra mile, and leveraging academic foundations and extracurricular leadership skills.
While acknowledging the higher responsibilities and greater compensation compared to expectations, Adita encourages students to consider the significant career advancement opportunities available through proactive initiative and a strong academic background.
The interview also touches upon navigating a male-dominated field and the importance of exceeding expectations to succeed.
This inspiring journey showcases how a combination of academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and a proactive approach can lead to a rewarding career in risk consulting.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Adita Farahiyah
Senior Risk Consultant
KPMG
Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia & 2019
N/A
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Business Management & Admin
Consulting
Consulting
International Student, Scholarship Recipient
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Career Path Of A Senior Risk Consultant At KPMG
Adita's career path began with a Bachelor of Science in Management from Bandung Institute of Technology in 2019, enriched by extracurricular leadership roles, including "fundraising director" in a music club and heading an external division in the student association. Following a student exchange at France's ESSEC Business School and a human resource recruitment internship at a startup, Adita joined KPMG as a risk consultant, progressing to senior associate by 2021.
Main Responsibilities Of A Senior Risk Consultant At KPMG
As a Senior Risk Consultant at KPMG, Adita's main responsibility is assisting engagement managers, directors, and partners in client-facing projects across various industries. This involves "conducting interviews with the client," analyzing gathered data, and presenting findings to "the client's C-level," showcasing a high level of responsibility and client interaction within the role.
A Day In The Life Of A Senior Risk Consultant At KPMG
A typical day for a senior risk consultant at KPMG involves a flexible schedule, starting as early as 8 AM for client meetings—"the meeting is actually intense only during the first weeks of the project"—or 9 AM for internal work and analysis. The workday includes client meetings, collaboration with junior team members, internal progress reports, and problem-solving with managers, concluding around 6 PM.
Most Important Skills For a Senior Risk Consultant At KPMG
Adita, a Senior Risk Consultant at KPMG, emphasizes three crucial skills for success: excellent communication, including both verbal and written presentation skills ("present the result priortically to the client"); strong teamwork, essential for collaborative problem-solving; and adaptability to handle the unpredictable nature of consulting and fluctuating client needs ("a lot of sudden changes").
Favorite Parts of Being a Senior Risk Consultant at KPMG
Adita, a Senior Risk Consultant at KPMG, enjoys the increased client interaction and leadership opportunities afforded by their current role, stating that "my current role really improve[d] my communication skill" and allowed them to "hone my leadership skill by being a senior associate." This contrasts with their previous experience as an associate, where they primarily supported senior colleagues and had limited client interaction.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Senior Risk Consultant At KPMG
Adita, a Senior Risk Consultant at KPMG, identifies managing client relationships as the biggest challenge in her role, citing "unpredictable" client expectations and the difficulty of consistently meeting those expectations. This involves navigating complaints, unexpected demands, and internal challenges that can lead to project delays, all while representing KPMG favorably.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Consulting Industry as a Senior Risk Consultant
Adita, a Senior Risk Consultant at KPMG, enjoys the consulting industry's "very steep learning curve," gaining diverse experience through "different types of projects, industries, and even different geographics." This variety, coupled with constantly changing teams, provides continuous learning and fosters strong networking opportunities.
What Type of Person Thrives in the Consulting Industry, According to a Senior Risk Consultant at KPMG
Adita, a Senior Risk Consultant at KPMG, identifies a "high willingness to learn new things every day" as crucial for success in consulting, because the field constantly presents novel challenges. This continuous learning allows consultants to "keep up with the clients' expectation and to keep up with the changes in the industry," ultimately leveraging knowledge to effectively solve problems.
What a Senior Risk Consultant at KPMG Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Consulting Industry
Adita, a Senior Risk Consultant at KPMG, reveals that while consulting offers "higher compensation," it also demands "greater responsibilities" than many anticipate, especially at entry-level. The expectation to perform beyond typical entry-level roles, coupled with dual accountability to both internal management and external clients, presents a significant challenge unique to the consulting industry.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Consultants At KPMG
Entry-level consulting positions, regardless of firm type, are typically titled "associate consultant" or "business analyst," with the expectation that new graduates will "integrate the experience...in consulting firms and...learning experience...during undergraduate years." These roles prioritize learning on the job and applying academic knowledge to real-world projects.
Significant Career Lesson From a Senior Risk Consultant at KPMG
Adita, a Senior Risk Consultant at KPMG, identifies "going the extra mile" and demonstrating high initiative as crucial career lessons. This proactive approach, differentiating top performers by taking on more than "the regular job," significantly advanced Adita's career and, in their view, is applicable across various industries.
College Experiences That Helped A Senior Risk Consultant At KPMG Succeed
Adita, a Senior Risk Consultant at KPMG, attributes career success to a strong academic foundation, stating that "the lessons learned during undergrad were applicable to [their] jobs as a consultant". Equally important was active participation in clubs and organizations, where leadership and teamwork skills were developed—skills Adita considers "needed in consulting jobs, but also in any kind of industry".
How Identity Influenced A Senior Risk Consultant At KPMG's Career
Adita, a Senior Risk Consultant at KPMG, shared how their identity as a female initially presented "upstackles" in a male-dominated field, challenging stereotypes that "women cannot do better than men." However, by consistently exceeding expectations and proving their capabilities, Adita built a successful career, finding that their workplace ultimately valued and supported female professionals.
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