Peter B.
About me
| Peter B. | |
| Computer Science | |
| IT, Business Management and Languages | |
| Undergraduate | |
| James | |
| 2002 |
My employment
| Management Consultant | |
| Management Consulting Firm | |
| Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba | |
| Finance and consultancy |
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A day in the life of a Management Consultant in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
Don't be tempted by a higher salary if you're going to get less of a leg-up in the future.
Briefly describe the organisation you work for
I run my own (largely one man) Management Consulting Firm based out of Bonaire in the Caribbean.
What do you do?
I work with private equity firms and their portfolio companies to drive long-term sustainable growth. I use the experience developed in a career as a management consultant and as an interim Executive.
Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?
I loved the challenge of working in Management Consulting with Bain & Company, but after a while wanted more flexibility than was possible while working for a large American firm with its own set culture.
Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?
I never imagined exactly this job, but I was always interested in business in the broadest sense.
Describe your most memorable day at work
An odd-ball project turning south as my Govt Minister client in Saudi Arabia was arrested was probably one of the most memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Are there any challenges associated with your job?
The flexibility of being independent is great, but it's not like you get to pick and choose. When the economy is tough you also lack the relative safety of more stable jobs.
What’s your work environment and culture like?
I'm a believer in adding lots of value rather than working long hours for the sake of it. My clients are usually demanding, but it's possible to build a career in this sector for being effective rather than be stuck in a world of face time.
What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?
I was really active in politics when at Uni (the European Society, the United Nations Association, etc.) as well as RAG, all of which gave me the confidence and initiative to be less constrained in my thinking than a lot of my peers.
What would you like to do next with your career?
I've always been passionate about building companies, and I'd now like to build my own. I have a couple of ideas I've already started on - watch this space.
What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?
If you're ambitious, what really matters in the first few years after graduation is the quality of training you get: This could be structured like in a giant Consultancy or Bank or unstructured in a start-up (and both of these are equally useful). Don't be tempted by a higher salary if you're going to get less of a leg-up in the future.
What topics from students are you happy to answer questions on?
Management Consulting applications and careers
Private Equity
Professional services startups
Next steps...
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