What's it like working as a Management Consultant?

Hi 👋

I work at McKinsey & Company's Dubai office. I joined in February 2021 within the Client Capabilities Network (CCN) track.

⏳ Hours

I typically work 55-60 hours per week, with average times being 8am - 7pm each day.

🗓️ Typical day-to-day tasks

• 50% of my days are spent serving clients. On these days, I start my morning with a check-in call with the engagement manager of the project and the rest of the team. Midday, I have a problem-solving session with the leadership team, and then work on filling gaps.

• Sometimes, I have a client meeting in the evening or morning, and based on their feedback, I make changes to the project deliverable.

• 20% of my time is spent responding to research requests, compiling previous work into knowledge pieces, and helping with client development.

• The final 20-30% of my time is spent working on internal pieces and helping with proposals for new clients.

🪜 Expected career progression

When you join McKinsey, there are three analyst equivalents or 'tracks':

• General Business Analyst

• Digital Analyst

• Client Capabilities Network (CCN) track

As a CCN Capabilities and Insights Analyst, I started working on a broad variety of topics during my first six months, but quickly narrowed my focus to the areas I was well suited for.

From month 8 or 9 onwards, I was expected to have identified an area to specialise in. After working for a bit over a year as a Consultant, I was promoted to Associate Consultant.

The next step, within a timeline of a couple of years, would be to become an Engagement Manager.