An MBA paves the road from engineering to consulting

Q: What did you do before your MBA at D'Amore-McKim?  

A: After earning my undergraduate degree, I worked in software development for two years, applying my engineering skills to web development. While gaining valuable experience, I realized I wasn't making the desired impact. I wanted to apply my skills more effectively and lead projects directly, so I transitioned to project management in real estate and construction. This role allowed me to digitalize processes and drive business development.  

I recognized that gaining a deeper understanding of business would help me make a greater impact and launch a career in management consulting. This led me to pursue a Full-Time MBA at D'Amore-McKim to enhance my business skills and drive meaningful change. 

Q: Why did you choose D'Amore-McKim's MBA?  

A: One of the reasons I chose D'Amore-McKim's Full-time MBA was that I knew a six-month immersive corporate residency experience would help me transition into management consulting. This extended timeframe, longer than a traditional internship, allowed me to contribute significantly, integrate fully into the team, and add some practical experience to my resumé. 

I knew I wanted to learn as part of a cohort, taking the same classes as my peers, ensuring my learning was strong as I developed a close-knit network. This worked out exactly as I hoped. While I mastered business skills, I also learned how to work as part of a team, which will be critical to a successful career in management consulting. Frequent team projects, hands-on exercises, and presentations of recommendations all strengthened my practical skills. 

Q: What was it like joining an MBA program without prior business experience?    

A: My incredible professors had a knack for breaking down complex ideas into simple terms. This benefited someone like me who is focusing on corporate finance and data analytics without any prior financial background. Thanks to their guidance, I felt more at ease in business despite my lack of experience. ​​ 

My journey from engineering to consulting was made easier because D'Amore-McKim's has a strong business network and the Graduate Career Center created numerous opportunities for me to gain exposure to my new field and forge a network. 

Q: How did the Graduate Career Center support your growth?  

A: ​​​The Graduate Career Center has been a tremendous resource in my corner. From organizing networking events to keeping us aware of essential timelines, they are committed to helping students succeed. My advisor was supportive and actively assisted me in my job search. From arranging coffee chats with professionals from prominent firms to finding connections at interesting companies, my advisor played a significant role in helping me advance my career journey.​​  

​​Q: What was it like being a consultant for your corporate residency at Accelare? 

A: My experience as a corporate resident at Accelare was wonderful and reaffirmed my ambition to pursue a career in management consulting. From day one, I had the title of consultant rather than intern, which instilled confidence and empowered me to actively engage. For example, I recommended using an analytics tool I learned about in class, and we successfully implemented it for a client. Applying classroom learning to a real business scenario was very fulfilling. 

The company culture is extremely supportive and collaborative, with regular meetings that foster a cohesive environment. ​As a small consulting firm, the close-knit environment facilitates direct interaction with senior staff, including the executive vice president of sales and the CEO, encouraging innovation, and making every interaction meaningful. 

Q: Tell me about hiring other MBAs at Accelare:  

A: I was fortunate to have the opportunity to extend my residency from six to twelve months. This meant that I was working at Accelare as they were ready to hire new corporate residents. At the same time, I served as president of the Consulting Club at D'Amore-McKim and had a network of MBAs interested in consulting. I played a role in hiring two D'Amore-McKim MBAs, which was rewarding because I knew what a great experience they'd have. They're about to be fully immersed in consulting projects, treated as integral team members, meeting with clients, and entrusted with significant responsibilities.  

Q: How will your corporate residency experience help you?  

Through my corporate residency as a consultant at Accelare, I saw the importance of effective communication, especially when tailoring recommendations to fit clients' preferences and responses. With practice, I learned how to gauge whether clients were open to constructive criticism or preferred more straightforward solutions and adjusted my approach accordingly.  

While participating in client meetings, I learned the importance of conducting feasibility checks before making recommendations to avoid premature commitments. Presenting to executives also improved my public speaking skills and offered valuable experience navigating different business situations.