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Tripp, Consultant at Boston Consulting Group: Advize Career Interview
A Boston Consulting Group Consultant's journey, starting with undergraduate degrees in accounting, finance, and entrepreneurship, and internships at prestigious firms like EY and StepStone, showcases a dynamic career path.
This individual's daily life involves tackling diverse client projects—from company integrations to growth strategies—requiring strong analytical and communication skills, independent work ethic, and effective prioritization.
The most rewarding aspects include significant professional growth, solving complex problems, and the variety of industries explored. Challenges overcome included mastering prioritization and attention to detail.
Success is attributed to proactive leadership roles in college, building a strong personal brand, and seeking help when needed.
The experience highlights the importance of navigating microaggressions while building supportive networks and underscores the value of entry-level consulting positions as a strong career foundation.
This professional's journey reveals valuable insights into thriving in a demanding yet rewarding field, offering a compelling narrative for aspiring consultants.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Tripp Twyman
Consultant
Boston Consulting Group
University of Arizona
University of Southern California | Masters of Accounting
Business & Related, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Accounting
Professional Services
Consulting
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member
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Career Path Of A Consultant At Boston Consulting Group
Tripp's career journey began with an undergraduate degree in accounting, finance, and entrepreneurship, complemented by internships at StepStone, EY (in San Diego and Buenos Aires), and various part-time roles, including tutoring student athletes. After initially pursuing accounting, including a Master's program, a pivot to consulting led to their current role as a Consultant at Boston Consulting Group, where they've thrived for three years, starting as an associate and then transitioning to consultant in the Los Angeles office.
Main Responsibilities of a Consultant at Boston Consulting Group
Tripp's role at Boston Consulting Group involves tackling "a piece of the problem" within larger client projects, ranging from company integrations to developing growth strategies. This entails diverse responsibilities, such as overseeing commercial operations across regions, conducting industry-specific due diligence involving "a ton of interviews and some math," and leveraging internal and external resources to deliver optimal solutions.
A Day in the Life of a Consultant at Boston Consulting Group
A Boston Consulting Group consultant's day is highly variable, structured by daily "standups" at 9:00 AM and "checkouts" around 5:00 or 6:00 PM to coordinate team efforts and address roadblocks; the time between involves a dynamic mix of activities, including "building a model," "interviewing people," "desk research," and client meetings, all geared toward project progress.
Most Important Skills For A Consultant At Boston Consulting Group
Tripp, a Boston Consulting Group consultant, emphasizes analytical skills backed by "evidence, uh, and analytics" as crucial, alongside strong communication to simplify complex analyses for clients. The ability to work independently, demonstrating comfort with ambiguity and proactively managing tasks, is equally vital for success in this fast-paced environment, where managers "won't have time to hold your hand," requiring initiative and efficient task completion.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Consultant At Boston Consulting Group
Tripp, a Boston Consulting Group Consultant, most enjoys the "challenge" and significant professional growth their role provides, receiving constant feedback to improve work and teamwork skills. The opportunity to collaborate with clients on "really interesting, meaty problems" is also a key source of satisfaction, expanding their experience beyond what would be possible in other roles.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Consultant at Boston Consulting Group
Tripp's biggest early challenges as a Boston Consulting Group consultant were "prioritization and attention to detail," requiring the development of new processes for managing a high volume of tasks and ensuring "really high quality, error-free work." This involved learning to consistently identify the most important tasks and implementing self-checks to improve accuracy, highlighting the importance of adapting to the demands of a demanding career.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Consulting Industry As A Consultant
Tripp, a Boston Consulting Group consultant, thrives on the "variety" inherent in the consulting industry, enjoying the exposure to diverse projects across sectors like "med tech, quick service restaurants, and city governments." This broad experience not only prevents boredom but also helps clarify their long-term career interests through exploration of different "types of problems and different types of spaces."
What Type Of Person Thrives In Consulting According To A Consultant At Boston Consulting Group
Tripp, a Boston Consulting Group consultant, identifies two key traits for success in consulting: the ability to be a "self-starter" who perseveres to "get to the bottom of the question," and the crucial skill of establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries to prevent work from overwhelming their life. This balance allows consultants to excel professionally while preserving well-being, a recipe for long-term success in the demanding field.
What A Consultant At Boston Consulting Group Wishes They Knew Before Consulting
Tripp, a Boston Consulting Group consultant, emphasizes the crucial role of building a strong personal brand early in a consulting career, stating that "early on you'll develop a reputation for the type of work that you get done." This positive reputation, earned through consistently high-quality work, fosters trust with managers, leading to increased autonomy and a better work-life balance—allowing for flexibility like "signing off early on Tuesday to go have date night."
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Associates at Boston Consulting Group
Entry-level consulting positions, such as "associate" at BCG or similar titles at other firms like McKinsey and Bain, are the typical starting points for undergraduate students; these roles involve a two-to-three year commitment before promotion, as illustrated by the consultant's own career progression from "associate" to "consultant," and the competitive application process reflects the field's appeal due to "career building" opportunities and valuable connections.
Significant Career Lesson From A Consultant At Boston Consulting Group
Tripp, a Boston Consulting Group consultant, learned that "asking for help" is crucial for success, contrary to initial beliefs about needing to appear entirely self-sufficient. This resourcefulness, exemplified by utilizing BCG's dedicated help Slack channel, enabled career advancement and continues to be a valuable strategy.
College Experiences That Helped A Consultant At Boston Consulting Group Succeed
Tripp's undergraduate success stemmed from impactful leadership roles, not simply accumulating titles; "taking leadership positions... enable[d] me to build and demonstrate the types of skills" needed for a consulting career, as exemplified by roles such as co-founding and heading the Eller African American Honorary and leading a fraternity. This experience allowed Tripp to showcase "how I show up as a leader and...get things done."
How Identity Has Influenced a Consultant in a Boston Consulting Group Career
Tripp's career at Boston Consulting Group has been shaped by the lack of representation and microaggressions experienced as a Black consultant, including instances where colleagues questioned their presence and delayed feedback, "robbing them of the opportunity to know that something's wrong." However, building a supportive community within the firm and seeking mentorship from other Black consultants proved crucial in navigating these challenges and achieving success.
Advizer Personal Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tripptwyman/, [career coaching site coming soon]
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