Consultant Spotlight - December 2020

How long have you been with miLEAD? 

Since April 2020, so about 8 months.

What is the focus of your research?

I study friendships and romantic relationships -- what brings us together, what keeps us together, and what tears us apart.

What are your career goals? 

I'm open to any career that lets me solve important problems alongside kind and curious colleagues! That could be in strategy consulting, academia, data science, government work, or an industry I haven't yet discovered.

What roles have you played on projects? 

I've been fortunate to consult on two miLEAD projects -- both fascinating in their own way. My first project was an in-house engagement where we developed training modules for new miLEAD consultants. My second project, which we're wrapping up now, involved conducting primary and secondary research on behalf of a Michigan-based startup.

What led you so seek out milead?

When I started to consider non-academic routes, I reached out to a friend for advice. A miLEAD consultant himself, he strongly encouraged me to apply and gain some real business experience.

Since joining miLEAD, what skills have you been able to develop?

I've learned a lot of skills that were entirely foreign to me: market analysis, competitive landscape analysis, qualitative research. But I've been most surprised by how much I've further developed skills that I already had some basis in, like slide design and public speaking. Presenting to a client -- who has real dollars and cents on the line -- forces you to carefully calculate your argument, delivery, and conclusions.

What has been one of your most rewarding experiences thus far working with miLEAD? 

I have gotten to work with some amazing people -- colleagues and friends who have inspired me to think differently, work harder, and care more about the culture of my professional environment.