Rose
New York
Associate, Oliver Wyman New York
B.S. Economics, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
On choosing Oliver Wyman:
I spent the summer before senior year of college as a Brand Management intern at a cosmetics company. While I had a great experience there, the part of my job I enjoyed most was working on a strategic initiative aimed to target customers in a new way. As a result, I started looking into management consulting opportunities when full-time recruiting came around in the fall. As I got to know different consulting firms, my conversations with folks at Oliver Wyman repeatedly stood out in my mind. From Analysts right up to very senior Partners, everyone made an effort to get to know me. For example, I grabbed coffee with a Senior Associate in the New York office for over two hours, talking mostly about what kinds of music we liked. Oliver Wyman seemed like a place where I could learn what I wanted to learn, from people who I wanted to get to know as friends.
On diving into the deep end:
From my first case with the firm, I have continually been surprised by the level of responsibility with which I am trusted. On a case for a global tea company, I owned all the analytics driving the business planning advice provided for four beverage innovations across multiple international markets. My work was taken directly to the client’s Board of Directors for go/no-go decisions. On a New York-based private equity case, I helped lead regular meetings with the company Chairman to provide direction on the merger of two portfolio companies and mitigation strategies for day-one risk. Oliver Wyman gives junior members the opportunity to take on roles with direct client impact. We are strongly encouraged to push the thinking of the team and challenge those above us in order to develop better overall solutions for our clients. These roles and expectations give people the chance to develop well past the basic Analyst or Consultant levels within our first few years in the working world.
On reaching out for help:
Whether I’m facing a client issue, have an Excel question, or want overall career advice, I have many people to turn to for help. Formally, Oliver Wyman provides you with a “buddy” when you first start, as well as an advisor who follows your overall case performance and career. My advisor has often swung by my desk just to say hello and has ended up spending an hour listening to an issue and giving me his thoughts on what to do. Informally, I can also reach out to Partners, case managers, team members or New York office members and they will go out of their way to help me find a solution. Having a safety net of people who are keeping my best interests at heart is truly invaluable.
On enjoying Thanksgiving:
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, not only for the good food, but because the New York office hosts an annual pub crawl the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. We pick a different neighborhood each year, and map the course to make sure we hit the key hot spots in the area (which often includes a karaoke grand finale!). It’s a great opportunity for the whole office to spend some time together, particularly before people head off for the holidays. It’s one of the best events of the year.
