Jan 09, 2014

What do new associates do?

Hey Guys,

Will be starting out as an associate for a medium size consulting firm out of undergrad. I asked about what I will be doing, was given a somewhat generic answer, anyone have any experience they'd like to share. Thanks.

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Royal Holloway, University of London

Class of '26 Oct 2026 Cohort

4.85/5

Management Consulting Career Roadmap (optional)

“I found my mentoring session with André very helpful, particularly because I came into it with very little understanding of commercial banking. My background is in life sciences and healthcare, and most of my career exploration so far has focused on consulting. Although I had become interested in commercial banking, I had not previously explored the area in any depth. I therefore needed a clear starting point and an honest conversation about what I should understand before deciding whether to pursue it. André helped me establish that starting point. The session gave me a clearer way to think about commercial banking, how it differs from consulting, and what I still need to learn. Before the conversation, I was looking at opportunities and wondering whether I should begin applying alongside consulting applications. Afterwards, I understood that I needed to take a step back and make a more informed decision about whether the work genuinely interests me. One of the most valuable aspects of the session was how it helped me recognise the gaps in my current understanding. I knew that I was new to banking, but I did not necessarily know which questions I needed to answer for myself. André’s guidance helped me think more clearly about where I am now, what I am missing, and what I should begin doing next. Having that direction was useful because it made the process feel more manageable. Rather than treating banking as a broad and unfamiliar industry, I now have a clearer starting point for learning about it. A particularly helpful message was that I should first develop a better understanding of commercial banking and assess whether I actually like the work. I took away a sensible sequence: understand the area, decide whether it appeals to me, and then, if it does, commit to learning and preparing for applications. If I discover that the work does not suit my interests, I should be willing to recognise that and focus my efforts elsewhere. That advice sounds straightforward, but it was an important perspective for me at this stage. The conversation made me realise that I should not rush into applying for commercial banking roles simply because I have found programmes that look interesting. Before the session, I was at risk of moving too quickly from curiosity to applications without having a strong enough understanding of the career itself. André helped me see the value of being more deliberate. I would rather make a considered application based on a genuine interest in the work than spend time applying to positions I cannot yet explain my motivation for pursuing. Another important takeaway was recognising how substantial the differences between banking and consulting can be. Because consulting has been my main focus, it had become my reference point when thinking about other careers. The session helped me realise that I cannot assume banking will involve similar work, suit the same preferences, or require exactly the same preparation. I need to understand banking on its own terms rather than view it mainly as another option alongside consulting. I also appreciated that the session was useful even though I did not finish it with a final career decision. At this exploratory stage, greater clarity about what I do not yet know is meaningful progress. I now feel better equipped to evaluate my interest, identify what I need to learn, and decide whether commercial banking deserves a more focused place in my career plans. Overall, André was very helpful, and the session met an important need for me as someone starting with limited knowledge of the field. Its greatest value was giving me direction and encouraging a more thoughtful approach to my next steps. I left with a clearer understanding of my knowledge gaps, a more realistic perspective on the difference between banking and consulting, and a better sense of how to move forward before committing to applications.”

Class of '27 Apr 2026 Cohort

4.78/5

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“Ashley’s industry expertise and depth of knowledge in product strategy are immediately clear. In every session, she breaks down complex management frameworks into easily digestible insights. Her communication style is direct, clear, and empathetic. Rather than giving vague or generic career advice, she provides highly actionable takeaways—including specific templates for stakeholder communications, prioritization frameworks, and real-world examples from her own leadership background that I was able to implement directly into my team's workflow the very next day. Furthermore, her kind, patient, and approachable demeanor made it extremely comfortable to discuss tough workplace scenarios and honest skill gaps without fear of judgment.”

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8 Comments

karypto

12y

The short answer is - whatever your superiors tell you to do. I'm guessing if it's a medium sized firm you might be playing with STATA/R for analysis and maybe even do some 'market research' via phone calls, studies, and surfing the net. Most consultants prepare power points and whisper in CEOs ears. Most associates just do what they are told.

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Authored by: Certified Corporate Strategy Professional - Vice PresidentCertified Corporate Strategy Pro

Hugo Stiglitz

12y

It would depend on the type of work your firm does, but could vary from what Karypto to Project managing workstreams, making decks, working sessions with clients, etc. Experiences can very significantly by project

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Hugo

pnb2002

12y

You accepted the offer without really knowing the answer to this...?

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Authored by: Certified Consulting Professional - 3rd+ Year AnalystCertified Consulting Pro

Nokaiser

12y

I knew that I would be assisting partners, doing research and statistical analysis but I wanted a bit more detail from those users with firsthand experience

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Authored by: Certified Consulting Professional - 1st Year AssociateCertified Consulting Pro

BigPicture

12y

Best Response

here are some things you'll be doing, roughly in order of what you spend a lot of time doing to a little time (based only on my experience...could be different)

analyze stuff in excel / crunch numbers
make power point slides summarizing the data / analysis
make power point slides showing anything else the partner / job manager wants to show
inject your opinion into discussions in the team room regarding topics your team is trying to figure out (e.g. how do we restructure the org, what does future look like?)
participate in interviews of client organization. likely someone else will lead the interview, but you take notes and ask occasional questions
book conference rooms for the team, order food delivery during late nights, send out meeting requests, other random stuff
participate in some recruiting calls / activities

i'm sure i'm forgetting some stuff, but hope that helps

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Authored by: Certified Consulting Professional - 1st Year AssociateCertified Consulting Pro

xmasboy

12y

same things as analysists

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Book Value vs Market Value Investment

Xepa

12y

Giving an answer to this question without knowing the name of your firm is complete conjecture and a waste of all our times.

And not knowing what you'll be doing in this era with glassdoor.com infers that you either can't google or that your firm is so boutique that no one on this site can give you a credible answer even if they knew the name. And FYI, read job descriptions from past employees of this firm on Linkedin.

Seriously guys...

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Authored by: Certified Venture Capital Professional - ConsultantCertified Venture Capital Pro

BigPicture

12y

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Hic est hic cumque suscipit odit quis placeat. Molestias consequatur dignissimos et magnam reiciendis. Ut corporis libero atque odio.

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Authored by: Certified Consulting Professional - 1st Year AssociateCertified Consulting Pro

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