Sunday, March 11, 2007
They say March rolls in like a lion and out like a lamb. Usually they're talking about the weather. Given the mild weather we're having in Norcal this winter, the statement doesn't seem to hold true. It DOES hold true, however, for my work life right now. Work has been a bit hectic. The last two weeks were my busiest since starting at Bridgespan 6 months ago.
I can't believe its been 6 months. Time flies. I've learned so much in the last 1/2 year. It's amazing to look at something as simple as slides to see my progress. My first deck (consultantese for powerpoint presentation) was abysmal. Embarrassing even. Now when I look at my slides, they look like other people's slides. They look like they belong in a Bridgespan deck. May seem simple - but it was definitely I had to make an effort to learn. I'm starting to feel more confident. Not because I know everything - far from it. I feel more confident because I'm starting to realize that I can learn how to be a good consultant. And I'm lucky to work at a firm that's so supportive in helping me learn how to BE a good consultant.
This week, I'm attending Bain's New Consultant Training (NCT) in Miami. NCT is an opportunity to take a step back an review some of the frameworks we learned in pre-NCT when we first started. What's great about revisiting these topics 6 months later is now I actually know what a consultant does, so it makes more sense now. It's also great to head to NCT because it's training for 25% of the Bain new consulting class from around the globe. So that means there's lots of Whartonites. It's great to run into people I haven't seen since May and catch up. Everyone looks happy - and more well rested. And it's just nice to reconnect with people with whom you shared this amazing experience. It should be a good week.
I can't believe its been 6 months. Time flies. I've learned so much in the last 1/2 year. It's amazing to look at something as simple as slides to see my progress. My first deck (consultantese for powerpoint presentation) was abysmal. Embarrassing even. Now when I look at my slides, they look like other people's slides. They look like they belong in a Bridgespan deck. May seem simple - but it was definitely I had to make an effort to learn. I'm starting to feel more confident. Not because I know everything - far from it. I feel more confident because I'm starting to realize that I can learn how to be a good consultant. And I'm lucky to work at a firm that's so supportive in helping me learn how to BE a good consultant.
This week, I'm attending Bain's New Consultant Training (NCT) in Miami. NCT is an opportunity to take a step back an review some of the frameworks we learned in pre-NCT when we first started. What's great about revisiting these topics 6 months later is now I actually know what a consultant does, so it makes more sense now. It's also great to head to NCT because it's training for 25% of the Bain new consulting class from around the globe. So that means there's lots of Whartonites. It's great to run into people I haven't seen since May and catch up. Everyone looks happy - and more well rested. And it's just nice to reconnect with people with whom you shared this amazing experience. It should be a good week.
Labels: Becoming a Consultant
