top of page
Jorge, Senior Consultant at Deloitte: Advize Career Interview
A Deloitte Senior Consultant's journey, starting with a double major in theater and dance and Spanish education, showcases a unique blend of seemingly disparate experiences.
This individual's path, including Teach for America, an MBA, and a summer internship, led to a fulfilling career marked by diverse responsibilities, from client work involving interviews and report preparation, to internal initiatives impacting organizational change.
The work demands strong analytical thinking, communication, leadership, and adaptability, but offers a supportive and diverse community alongside exposure to various industries.
While challenges exist in navigating a corporate setting and building belonging, this individual's success stems from a clear vision, relentless pursuit of goals, and a commitment to fostering inclusion and mentorship for underrepresented groups, proving that a nontraditional path can lead to remarkable achievements.
Entry-level positions are readily available, making this a potentially exciting career path for ambitious undergraduates.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jorge Galan
Senior Consultant
Deloitte
University of Texas at Austin - 2013
University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business - MBA
Spanish & Other Languages, Fine Arts, Music
Consulting
Consulting
LGBTQ, First Generation College Student
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path Of A Senior Consultant At Deloitte
Jorge's career path is a unique blend of seemingly disparate experiences, starting with a double major in "theater and dance and Spanish education" at UT Austin, followed by Teach for America where Jorge transitioned from teaching middle school Spanish to leading university recruitment. This experience, combined with an MBA from UT Austin and a summer internship, led to Jorge's current role as a Senior Consultant at Deloitte, highlighting a diverse skillset and a commitment to community engagement throughout their career journey.
Main Responsibilities of a Senior Consultant at Deloitte
Jorge's role as a Senior Consultant at Deloitte is primarily client-focused, with 90% of the time dedicated to "helping whatever client" they work with, ranging from "doing interviews and generating insights to creating slide decks." The remaining 10% involves internal "firm initiatives," such as recent work assisting a large bank with organizational changes and helping track sales for Deloitte's culture programs.
A Day in the Life of a Senior Consultant at Deloitte
A Senior Consultant's workday at Deloitte varies greatly depending on client needs; sometimes it involves extensive travel, "hop[ping] on a plane Monday morning" to work on-site, while other times it's primarily remote, starting with an 8 AM call and working "10 to 12 hours Monday through Friday" from home. The work always involves collaboration, client interaction, and extensive report preparation.
Most Important Skills For A Senior Consultant At Deloitte
Deloitte Senior Consultant Jorge identifies "analytical thinking, communication, leadership, and managing ambiguity" as crucial skills for consulting success. The ability to "break down something complicated and communicate that efficiently," while navigating complex problems with "no very direct solution," is highlighted as essential for a consultant's career.
Favorite Parts of Being a Senior Consultant at Deloitte
Jorge, a Senior Consultant at Deloitte, appreciates the diverse and supportive community fostered by the company culture, noting "a group of very intelligent, hard-working, diverse people." Exposure to various industries through projects, such as "banking," allows for continuous learning and development of business acumen, complemented by inclusive employee resource groups that enhance a sense of belonging.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Senior Consultant At Deloitte
Jorge's biggest challenge transitioning from a nonprofit to Deloitte Consulting is adapting to "the corporate work setting," specifically the intense pace and frequent changes in management, requiring constant relationship-building and alignment with different managers on various projects. This shift from a familiar, three-year managerial relationship to a dynamic project-based structure presents a significant ongoing challenge for the Senior Consultant.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Tech Consulting Industry as a Senior Consultant
Jorge, a Senior Consultant at Deloitte, enjoys the industry's diverse exposure to sectors like "Tech to Consumer to oil and gas," finding the innovative, "relaxed" culture of tech clients particularly rewarding, a preference reflected in Jorge's pursuit of a tech-focused consulting role.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Consulting Industry According To A Senior Consultant At Deloitte
To thrive in consulting, a person needs strong relationship-building skills, the ability to "turn it on" socially, and comfort with presenting to large groups. Success also requires a willingness to work hard, reflect on performance, and proactively address ambiguity, demonstrating traits of a "self-starter."
What A Senior Consultant At Deloitte Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Consulting Industry
Jorge, a Senior Consultant at Deloitte, learned that building a sense of belonging in corporate America requires a "strategic effort" unlike prior experiences in Teach for America, where community was readily available. The absence of readily available affinity spaces in Deloitte's corporate culture initially led to feelings of isolation, highlighting the need for proactive networking to find a supportive community.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Senior Consultants at Deloitte
Deloitte's entry-level consulting positions include analyst roles, with progression to consultant and senior consultant; MBAs can start as senior consultants, and alternative routes like Teach for America offer valuable experience leading to accelerated advancement within firms such as Deloitte, "skipping two levels".
Significant Career Lesson From A Senior Consultant At Deloitte
Jorge's significant career lesson, mirroring Oprah's advice, is to gain "clarity as to what it is" one wants to achieve and then relentlessly pursue that goal. This focused approach, exemplified by their diverse accomplishments from teaching to consulting, has consistently yielded success.
College Experiences That Helped a Senior Consultant at Deloitte Succeed
Jorge's conscious prioritization of a high GPA to gain entry into a good graduate school significantly impacted their career trajectory, as "that was gonna be an important factor" in securing a strong job. Simultaneously, accidental leadership roles during undergraduate studies unexpectedly bolstered their resume, proving valuable for securing positions with Teach for America and Deloitte.
How Identity Has Influenced A Senior Consultant's Career At Deloitte
Jorge's diverse identity—first-generation college student, LGBT Latinx, and from a low-income background—presented significant challenges navigating the predominantly "straight white male" corporate sector, requiring Jorge to find "strength in that" and overcome numerous obstacles. This experience fuels Jorge's commitment to advocating for future generations from underrepresented backgrounds, evidenced by their work with a charter school, building Latinx community within their office, and promoting diversity in Deloitte's MBA recruitment.
Advizer Personal Links
bottom of page