Jacqui
San Francisco
Associate, Oliver Wyman San Francisco
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Yale University
On choosing consulting after an engineering degree:
I enjoyed engineering for some of the same reasons I love my job. I like solving complicated problems that don’t always have one clear answer. All of the work I did in engineering – whether it was problem sets, labs, or projects – really prepared me to draw meaning out of data, something I now do every day. The approach we take to client problems is a lot like a scientific experiment. We collect data and analyze it, applying general business principals to help our clients make better decisions. Then we communicate this analysis in a way that helps our clients make a real impact on their bottom line.
On the opportunities at Oliver Wyman:
My first day on the job, I was in a meeting with a Senior Vice President. By midway through my second year, I was managing other Analysts, running meetings with Vice President-level clients, and driving my own module of a project. Because so many Oliver Wyman Partners are promoted from Analyst “through the ranks,” Partners here really treat you as a future leader in the firm from day one. I am never bored, and my managers are always challenging me to get outside of my comfort zone.
On having fun on the job:
One of the firm values is that we work better when we are having fun. Everything we do is done with a sense of humor. Some of my best memories of cases are working late nights when everyone (including the Partner) are just tired enough to make fun of ourselves. During the election, our team would often sit around a conference room table, eating take out dinner, and argue our views on the best candidate for each office. Everyone had a different opinion, many of them quite strong, but we always enjoyed the conversation more than wanting to win the debate. Another team I was on played ultimate Frisbee or football once a week – with only a few minor injuries resulting. I have also been on ski trips, to rock climbing events, and participated in charity volunteer days with colleagues – and I consider many of my colleagues to be friends. I have never been part of a group of people who I find both so professionally impressive and personally rewarding.
On giving back to the community:
There is a real passion at Oliver Wyman for community service, which is something I’ve really enjoyed. When I was based in New York, we organized a Christmas toy drive to give toys to over sixty children at the local Boy’s Club. We even visited the clubhouse for the Christmas party and handed out the gifts to the kids. Everyone in the office was so supportive of our efforts, from donating money, to buying gifts, to wrapping presents. Since then, I have also been part of a charity auction, a corporate volunteer day, and several fundraising efforts in San Francisco and Boston. It is a nice break from the day to day business of consulting.
