Michael, Senior Consultant at West Monroe: Advize Career Interview

A West Monroe Senior Consultant's journey began with investment banking roles in New York City and Los Angeles, transitioning to private equity and culminating in an MBA from UCLA Anderson.

The career path showcases a finance-to-consulting trajectory, emphasizing mergers and acquisitions expertise.

Daily responsibilities involve leading client engagements from start to finish, focusing on technology company strategies, encompassing growth, cost reduction, and market expansion.

Success requires "second-level thinking," technological fluency, strong communication, data analysis, and presentation skills, along with a proactive approach and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics.

The most rewarding aspect is tackling novel challenges and contributing to diverse company needs, while the biggest challenge is aligning stakeholders with varying incentives.

A fast-paced industry, continuous learning, and collaborative team environments are highlighted, emphasizing adaptability, comfort with ambiguity, and a strong work ethic.

A key lesson learned is the importance of marginal effort and teamwork, while proactive networking during undergraduate studies is credited as crucial to career advancement.

Finally, the consultant acknowledges the privileges of their background and their commitment to inclusive practices.