top of page
Jacqueline, Associate at Mckinsey & Company: Advize Career Interview
A career pivot from civil engineering and eight years in project management at Imperial Oil led to an MBA at UCLA Anderson and a current Associate role at McKinsey & Company.
This journey highlights the value of transferable skills and a willingness to explore diverse industries.
The McKinsey Associate's daily life is dynamic, balancing project strategy development, stakeholder management, and intense collaboration.
Success in this demanding role requires strong communication, data analysis, and project management skills, along with a relentless curiosity and ability to navigate challenging situations.
The most rewarding aspects include solving complex problems, learning continuously, and directly impacting client outcomes.
While the fast pace and significant travel present challenges, a key takeaway is the importance of establishing personal boundaries and leveraging available resources.
Aspiring consultants should consider business analyst roles as entry points, focusing on building foundational skills and enjoying the process, adapting to the evolving nature of career paths.
The interviewee's journey, including experiences in male-dominated fields, underscores the value of hard work, self-awareness, and building authentic connections.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Jacqueline Pageau
Associate
Mckinsey & Company
Queen's University
UCLA Anderson
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Energy and Utilities
Consulting
None Applicable
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path Of An Associate At McKinsey And Company
Jacqueline's career path involved a pivot from a civil engineering undergraduate degree and eight years at Imperial Oil, where "working in project management was really beneficial," to an MBA at UCLA Anderson and subsequently a role as an Associate at McKinsey & Company. This transition was driven by a desire to explore different industries and leverage transferable skills in a consulting environment that offers "the opportunity to really explore different industries" and "drive impact in a new client context."
Main Responsibilities of an Associate at Mckinsey And Company
As a McKinsey Associate, two primary responsibilities are developing project strategy—"in the weeds like building out an Excel model"—and managing internal/external stakeholders. This involves "interviewing industry experts," collaborating closely with clients to communicate recommendations and implement strategies, thus showcasing a blend of analytical and interpersonal skills crucial for early career success.
A Day In The Life Of An Associate At Mckinsey & Company
A McKinsey Associate's day is highly project-dependent, ranging from "shorter projects [with] longer hours" to longer engagements; however, a consistent structure includes daily check-in and check-out meetings to align priorities and address workload, along with problem-solving sessions with senior team members to guide work and ensure timely completion, often resulting in late evenings but with support from management to prevent overwork.
Most Important Skills for an Associate at McKinsey and Company
McKinsey Associate Jacqueline identifies three crucial skills: strong communication ("how can I communicate that in a way that's gonna be really effective"), efficient data analysis and synthesis ("pull key insights really quickly"), and effective project/time management, emphasizing the iterative nature of problem-solving and knowing "when to move on" or seek help. This highlights the fast-paced, demanding, and intellectually stimulating nature of a consulting role at this level.
Favorite Parts of Being an Associate at McKinsey
Jacqueline's favorite aspects of being a McKinsey Associate include the "dynamic aspect of the role" and its variety; the constant learning and intellectual stimulation from the fast pace and challenging projects, combined with the empowering responsibility of directly influencing "the final deliverable."
Biggest Challenges Faced By An Associate At McKinsey And Company
Jacqueline's biggest challenges as a McKinsey Associate are the "dynamic aspect" of constantly learning new skills on each project and the demanding "pace of work," though these are also aspects she enjoys. The significant travel required, a "personal challenge," adds another layer of complexity to the role.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Consulting Industry As an Associate
Jacqueline's favorite aspect of consulting is tackling "some of the world's toughest problems," gaining exposure to challenges faced by "c-suite executives" while collaborating with "incredibly intelligent people." This highlights the unique problem-solving opportunities and strong team environment within the industry.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Consulting Industry, According To An Associate At McKinsey And Company
McKinsey Associates who thrive are "hard worker[s]" with "genuine curiosity" and strong intuition, excelling at building internal and client relationships to secure future projects. A crucial trait is embracing "challenging situations" and finding excitement in difficult problems.
What an Associate at McKinsey & Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Consulting Industry
Jacqueline advises aspiring consultants to establish and communicate personal boundaries, emphasizing the importance of "knowing your own personal boundaries" while navigating the demanding industry. Further, the Associate suggests leveraging the firm's resources and opportunities for personal and professional growth by asking "what can McKinsey do for me?".
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Business Analysts At McKinsey And Company
The most common entry-level position for undergraduates in consulting is a business analyst role, "very similar to the associate role" but without prior work experience or an MBA. This position provides "a ton of really valuable skills" and "foundational skills to make you a really strong business leader," setting a strong base for future career progression.
Significant Career Lesson From An Associate At Mckinsey And Company
A significant career lesson learned is to "take it one day at a time," as career paths and interests evolve, making a rigid long-term plan less effective than focusing on manageable daily progress and adapting to unforeseen changes. This approach allows for flexibility and prevents the pressure of having all the answers immediately.
College Experiences That Helped an Associate at McKinsey and Company Succeed
Jacqueline's approach to undergraduate success centered on hard work and aligning academic pursuits with personal strengths and interests, rather than rigidly following a predetermined career path. The McKinsey Associate emphasized enjoying the process, stating "have fun, um, and enjoy yourself," while maintaining a strong work ethic and focusing on "the things were good at."
How Identity Has Influenced An Associate At Mckinsey And Company's Career
Jacqueline's career journey, beginning in the male-dominated oil and gas industry, initially led to keeping "personal life personal and very separate from work life," but maturing in their career, they realized the value of building relationships and sharing more openly. This shift, coupled with gaining credibility and leaning on expertise, has lessened the impact of being a woman in the workplace, though navigating male-dominated environments remains a factor.
Advizer Personal Links
n/a
bottom of page