During my internship, I learned many valuable things, such as communicating more effectively with clients as well as the importance of giving and receiving feedback.
About Sanna
Sanna joined as an intern in 2021 and returned as a Junior Associate in August 2022. She has a background in industrial engineering and management from Chalmers University of Technology. Sanna enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Why did you choose to apply for an internship at McKinsey?
My interest was triggered after having had the opportunity of participating in McKinsey’s Leadership Program for Women. Before starting my internship at McKinsey, I did another consulting internship which reaffirmed my interest in the industry. I decided to apply because I felt that McKinsey could offer a unique opportunity to shape my own path—something we like to call “Make your own McKinsey”—as well as an environment that was focused as much on the clients as it was on the indivduals who work at the firm. This people focus is the main reason why I am so thrilled to have returned as a full-time employee.
What type of work did you do?
Throughout my internship, I had the opportunity to be part of three different projects. One transformation project allowed me to work closely with the client, prepare various materials, as well as plan and conduct workshops with the team. Whilst working on the other two projects—a due diligence and a growth strategy—I conducted interviews with clients, collected and analyzed data from different sources, all of which enabled me to draw conclusions and prepare slides for client meetings.
What has been the most valuable learning during your internship?
During my internship, I learned many valuable things, such as communicating more effectively with clients as well as the importance of giving and receiving feedback. One of the most valuable things I learned, which I also applied during my master’s thesis, was to structure problems pragmatically and pull together different pieces of analysis into a coherent conclusion.
Did the internship meet your expectations?
Yes. What surprised me the most during the internship was how fast I was entrusted with various tasks. It allowed me to take ownership and responsibility while at the same time feeling supported by my team. I was also surprised by how invested everyone was in helping each other improve and develop through concrete and actionable feedback focused on your strengths.
What has been the best thing about being an intern at McKinsey?
Apart from participating in exciting and fun projects, the best thing about being an intern at McKinsey was getting to know so many different colleagues and becoming part of the culture at the firm. You can really feel that there is a strong focus from the firm leadership to create an environment that is both enjoyable and supports fast-paced development.
Any final words of advice for students considering an internship?
If you are considering doing an internship at McKinsey, my recommendation is “DO IT”. Hesitation holds people back, I think, and if you do have questions or concerns, you can reach out to any McKinsey colleague, and they will give you guidance on how to approach the application or whom to turn to.