Sometimes we work on challenging and tough projects, but with a great team, you can overcome everything.
Inspiring people
What I enjoy most about working at McKinsey is how great the teams are. For me, that is vital. I am a people person, and being around others is what gives me energy. Sometimes we work on challenging and tough projects, but with a great team, you can overcome everything. Last year, I was on a project in Germany. The case was difficult and took quite an effort to solve. But it made us incredibly close as a team. The project ended more than a year ago, but we keep in touch regularly. At the same time, I am continually surprised by the amazing things my colleagues do. I have some crazy colleagues—but in the best way possible. For instance, I recently had lunch with a colleague who told me that he is building a plane in his spare time. I then learned that this was the second plane he was building, having already finished and flown the first one. At McKinsey, many people have these kinds of stories, but it always surprises me because people here are so humble.
A technical background gives great understanding
I first encountered McKinsey at a school fair. As an engineering student, the management-consulting world was unknown territory for me. I had a vague idea about a formal environment with people wearing suits. Naturally, a suit is sometimes required, but it is anything but formal. Having a background in engineering has proved to be a great asset. Working in a wide range of industries, my engineering background helps me understand the work my clients do. Knowing the basics about cables or the amount of time it takes to code a certain function is very helpful. So, being an engineer, I often serve as the link between the technical and business sides.
Education
Technical University of Denmark
MSc, operations and management engineering
BSc, global business engineering