Meet the TAs – Sonya Zhang – Management Consulting 2018.

If you're considering a career in Management Consulting, or simply deciding as to whether this might be the iX course for you, take a look at Sonja's journey thus far for a glimpse into what the near future might entail. From business analyst to summer associate at The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), she's had a great ride so far.

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Sonya's just finished up her senior year at Duke University as a Statistics Major and Visual Arts Minor. Most recently she has spent the last summer working at BCG in Washington D.C. where she plans to return to this December. She has also spent summers working at startups; as a business analyst at Gwynnie Bee in NYC and as an affiliate marketing intern at Drizly in Boston so she's got lots to share when it comes to landing a great internship.

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1. What are you working on now? Tell us about an exciting project that you’ve recently completed or are currently involved with.

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I’m graduating in May 2018, so I would say the most exciting thing I’ve been doing recently is working towards my degree! I’m also part of a statistical consulting group, which is much more statistics theory-heavy compared to management consulting. While statistical consulting is not the path I plan to take, it has been interesting to see forms of analysis and consulting that lean toward the academic and research side.

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2. What do you enjoy most the Management Consulting industry?

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I enjoy the ability to learn about something completely new with every new project, and the feeling of being able to impact real change within an organization.

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3. What are your career goals? How are you planning to achieve them?

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While I can’t say for sure that my plans are 100% set, I am interested in switching to a management role in a corporate or start-up company. I think it would be really exciting to have ownership over an entire business category or product. Similarly to consulting, I'd touch many different areas of a business and could have a profound impact. I still have a lot to learn and explore, but it’s likely I might go to business school in the next 5 years.

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4. Why did you decide to get involved with teaching?

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I wanted to help younger students discover and explore what they are passionate about. It’s wonderful to see people find and figure out their path, especially as I was in their shoes.

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5. How do you see the Management Consulting industry changing the world in the next 10 years? 

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As with many industries, Management Consulting will need to adapt to changing technology and views. The way people do business has evolved, and the priorities of companies have also shifted. In addition to adapting to ever-changing technology and the move towards eCommerce, I think many companies have begun to take a stake in social issues. As companies change, the Management Consulting industry will also need to adapt and help them along the way. In addition to the standard “consulting toolkit” (communication, analytical skills), industry professionals will need to be increasingly more inventive and adaptable.

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6. What are you looking forward to most about iXperience this summer?

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Getting to know the students both in the classroom and through the outdoor excursions! I’ve also never been to South Africa, so I’m looking forward to that for sure.

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7. One piece of advice that you have for the iX class of 2018?

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Explore all the things you’re passionate about - school/career related and otherwise. It’s easy to put off exploring new interests because you’re busy, but you’ll always be busy and college is definitely the time to do this!

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8. Hidden talents, an unusual past, a hobby?

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I’ve been skydiving, and I’ve also recently picked up aerial acrobatics (lyra).

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Our Management Consulting course in Cape Town is just about full, but there are still spaces in our Lisbon course. Apply now to be considered before our final admissions deadline for this year.