NyAsia, Consultant at Top Managemet Consulting Company: Advize Career Interview

A career in financial services consulting, as detailed by a Manager at Ernst & Young, offers a dynamic and intellectually stimulating path.

The journey began with a successful internship secured through the National Association of Black Accountants, leading to five years at Morgan Stanley, an MS in Finance, and roles at JP Morgan.

This path highlights the importance of internships and networking. The current role involves project management, client interaction with C-suite executives, risk assessments, and mentoring.

Success requires strong communication, critical thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.

The most rewarding aspects include continuous learning, problem-solving, and the collaborative team environment. A significant lesson learned is to view feedback as a gift and learn from criticism.

The interviewee's multifaceted identity has fostered resilience and a strong work ethic, contributing to career longevity. Entry-level positions are often secured through internships, emphasizing high GPAs and proactive networking.

The financial services industry provides a unique perspective on global and micro-economies, making it a fascinating and rewarding field.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

NyAsia Jordan

Consultant

Top Managemet Consulting Company

Lehman College

Baruch College - MS, UCLA Anderson School of Management - MBA

Finance

Consulting

Business Strategy

Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Immigrant, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student

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Career Path of a Consultant at a Top Management Consulting Company

NyAsia's career path began with a 10-week internship at Morgan Stanley during the 2007 financial crisis, secured through the National Association of Black Accountants, which "subsequently turned into a job offer." This led to five years at Morgan Stanley, followed by an MS in Finance and roles at JP Morgan, culminating in a client-facing position that fueled a passion for consulting, ultimately leading to their current role at Ernst & Young.

Career Path of a Consultant at a Top Management Consulting Company

Main Responsibilities of a Consultant at Top Management Consulting Company

NyAsia's role as a Manager at Ernst & Young involves "running the engagement from beginning to end," encompassing project management, budgeting, resourcing, and client interaction with C-suite executives at financial institutions. This includes delivering solutions to complex problems, implementing recommendations, performing risk assessments (like SOC audits and pre-IPO readiness work), and mentoring team members within a "familial environment" to foster their career growth.

Main Responsibilities of a Consultant at Top Management Consulting Company

A Day In The Life Of A Consultant At A Top Management Consulting Company

A consultant's day varies greatly, with travel days involving early flights to client sites for meetings and collaboration with the team, "one of the fun things about working in Consulting is the teaming environment," allowing exposure to diverse individuals and organizations. Evenings might include client dinners before returning home, highlighting the client-focused and collaborative nature of the role.

A Day In The Life Of A Consultant At A Top Management Consulting Company

Most Important Skills for a Consultant at a Top Management Consulting Company

NyAsia, a Manager at Ernst & Young, emphasizes that strong communication skills, the ability to "flex to your audience," and critical thinking are paramount for success in financial services consulting. Attention to detail is also crucial, especially for technical projects requiring assessment of client work.

Most Important Skills for a Consultant at a Top Management Consulting Company

Favorite Parts Of Being A Consultant At Top Management Consulting Company

NyAsia, a Manager at Ernst & Young, finds the most rewarding aspect of consulting to be "the ability to come in, learn something new and help someone solve something," a sentiment reflecting the dynamic and intellectually stimulating nature of the career. The continuous learning and variety inherent in the role, where "no two days are the same," are also significant sources of job satisfaction.

Favorite Parts Of Being A Consultant At Top Management Consulting Company

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Consultant at a Top Consulting Firm

NyAsia's biggest challenge as a consultant at Ernst & Young is "continuously balancing competing priorities," juggling client expectations with team needs and limited resources while reporting to multiple leaders across different projects. This demanding environment, while personally rewarding, requires exceptional time management and the ability to navigate complex reporting structures.

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Consultant at a Top Consulting Firm

Favorite Parts of Working in the Financial Services Industry as a Management Consultant

NyAsia, a Manager in Financial Services at Ernst & Young, finds the industry fascinating because of its "bird's eye view into how other businesses obtain financial resources," allowing for understanding of both global and micro economies. The complexity of global financial products, currency transmission, and trade facilitation particularly captivates NyAsia's interest in banking and capital markets.

Favorite Parts of Working in the Financial Services Industry as a Management Consultant

What Type Of Person Thrives In Consulting According To A Consultant At Top Management Consulting

NyAsia, a Manager at Ernst & Young, highlights the importance of being "a continuous learner," a "critical thinker," and a "great communicator" for success in consulting. The ability to embrace "variety or likes change" is also crucial, as adaptability is key to navigating the ever-shifting landscape of the consulting world.

What Type Of Person Thrives In Consulting According To A Consultant At Top Management Consulting

What A Consultant At A Top Management Consulting Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Management Consulting Industry

NyAsia, a Manager at Ernst & Young, emphasizes the critical importance of proactive communication in navigating the complexities of the financial services industry, stating that one must be a "continuous communicator" and "set the right expectations." Failure to clearly communicate constraints and manage time effectively can lead to overcommitment and subsequent challenges.

What A Consultant At A Top Management Consulting Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Management Consulting Industry

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Consultants

To enter the field of consulting straight out of undergrad, internships are "the path of least resistance," requiring strong GPAs and early application. Networking is also key, helping students learn about companies and build relationships, as evidenced by the speaker's own experience of a cohort of interns who became lifelong friends and colleagues.

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Consultants

Significant Career Lesson From A Consultant At Top Management Consulting Firm

NyAsia, a Manager at Ernst & Young, emphasizes the importance of not taking criticism personally, especially in high-stress environments, stating that "feedback is a gift." Instead of internalizing negative interactions, the key is to reflect on the situation from other perspectives and identify actionable steps for improvement.

Significant Career Lesson From A Consultant At Top Management Consulting Firm

College Experiences That Helped A Consultant At Top Management Consulting Firm Succeed

NyAsia's undergraduate experience, involving high academic achievement and working through college, instilled crucial skills for career success: "prioritization," effective communication, and "managing up." This foundation, coupled with a learned ability to balance work and mental health—"you cannot pour from an empty cup"—demonstrates a holistic approach to career development.

College Experiences That Helped A Consultant At Top Management Consulting Firm Succeed

How Identity Has Influenced a Consultant's Career in Management Consulting

NyAsia's multifaceted identity—as a Black woman, immigrant, and mother—has profoundly shaped their career in financial services. The intersection of these experiences fostered resilience ("you cannot survive in financial services without resiliency"), a strong work ethic ("education is Paramount"), and a commitment to continuous learning and growth, contributing significantly to their longevity and success in the industry.

How Identity Has Influenced a Consultant's Career in Management Consulting

Advizer Personal Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordannyasia/