Given that I've been able to gain a lot of insight through this forum I figured it was time to give back. Quick background on me: - I went to a non-target school in Toronto - Went from academic probation (less than 2.0 gpa) to graduating with a 3.6 GPA (in yrs 3/4) - Joined a top Tier Strategy Consulting firm - Promoted yearly, exited after 4 yrs. - Joined a fin-tech company to run strategy -> it later sold to a large card brand - Joined a SaaS tech company as a Director to run corporate strategy - Total YoE = 6 Ask me anything, I'm happy to be as candid as I can be about my journey here and what's next. @AndyLouis" @WallStreetOasis.com"
Trending Content - Management Consulting Forum
Career Resources
Thanks for doing this...I'll start!
In your jump from consulting to tech, did you have a lot of offers? Were you dead set on tech and if so, how did you successfully choose the correct horse to join (at least it sounds like it was successful since it sold, correct me if I'm off)?
That fintech company, approx how big was it (employees, revenue, etc - whatever you're comfortable sharing)? Do you think this is typical for someone to be head of strategy with only 4yrs under their belt? If not, what do you think made you stand out?
On the SaaS company, again, how did you research or get inside information on the true trajectory of this specific firm? research through linkedIn? talking to employees? investors, etc?
Thanks! Patrick
Great Questions!
I was really sold on the management, who were also ex-consulting from my firm and more so the ability of the organization to weather almost 2 extinction events. The venture was successful and there was no reason for me to exit at the point of sale other than pursuing a more meaningful role in a much larger, public company where the strategy that I am currently driving has direct market impact (e.g., stock price/valuation etc.) vs. the tech firm that was privately owned.
What made me stand out I think was my attitude and the ability to connect with people at all levels of the organization, I think this is an underrated skill and provided management with the confidence that I was able to think, execute and deliver (which is tablestakes for a fintech company, can't really just sit around looking at a strategy and waiting for everyone to get on board - you need to drive the change)
A lot of organizations have taken to building an in-house comprehensive strategy/execution team vs. hiring consultancies, I think my quick trajectory is directly a result of this marketplace shift in thinking.
No worries, happy to do this!
I actually networked my ass off and really tried to differentiate myself from other students through initiatives/groups that I created in the university + summer internships at places that other students never ventured before (e.g., top 10 law firms). Despite all this, the first time I applied, I actually got rejected. Before I applied for a second time I spent more time meeting key directors/partners and trying to really impress them at the on-campus events and trying to show that I can hustle without coming across too arrogant, I think it worked to have their endorsement the second time to pull off an interview
I am not sure what you mean by 'spike'; but if you're asking how I showed that I pivoted hard from terrible GPA, its through these extra curriculars and being honest that I fucked up in year 1 & 2.
Being a consultant, no matter how senior or junior you are, you always have a burning platform for being at the client. In a nutshell, something fucked up needs to be turned around quickly or a board needs to validate a strategy quickly or management needs you to pull something out of your ass in an expedited timeframe etc. As a result, you have very senior air-cover. If you have detractors on your projects from the client's side, you can request they get pulled off from more senior people. I've seen folks get fired for not giving me and my team the right info/cooperation on projects. So you can really manage with what I'd like to call the "flamethrower approach".
You can't take this approach in-house or you will find yourself with 0 friends and 0 people to follow you and 0 real results.
It was difficult, I'll be honest in saying that I wasn't sure what to do with my life or what direction to go in for a long time. Definitely hit rock bottom and realized if I didn't change something I'd be out of school after the next semester.
I saw it as an opportunity to create my own destiny, first by doubling down on academics, I am not the most book-smart guy and would have to work 3x as hard to get to the same place as someone else. I just learn differently through doing vs. reading and theory.
Secondly, I realized if academics isn't something I can excel in, I need a stake in the ground for myself. As a result, I ended up creating a few new student groups on campus which I was able to leverage for networking with some very high industry profiles, summer internships etc. This really set me apart.