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| Meet an Analyst |
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Lisa Pettersson
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B.A. in Art History and Pre-Med from Columbia University
How did you choose such disparate majors at Columbia?
I majored in art history and had a pre-med minor. Art has
always been one of my passions, and I thought it was a
wonderful opportunity to be able to study it in a city
that has such a vibrant, textured artistic community. At
the same time, I was attracted to the rigorous analytical
challenges that were posed by my pre-med courses.
While I wouldn't say these two areas came together in
an entirely cohesive way, I really valued being
exposed to such distinct modes of thought.
What attracted you to MMG Partners?
When I decided to go into business, I knew that I wanted
to do consulting. It is a challenging profession that provides
recent graduates with the greatest
breadth of experience. I wanted to be given real problems
that would challenge and stimulate me intellectually.
Since joining MMG Partners, I have been able to work on a
multitude of projects, from cost-cutting at a bulge-bracket
investment bank to evaluating trading systems at a Middle
Eastern financial exchange.
What is it like working at MMG Partners? How have you
been able to balance work and personal life?
To be perfectly frank, balancing the two is not a simple task.
Nevertheless, I've been given more
responsibilities here than I could dream of anywhere
else. I've been exposed to a variety of projects,
worked closely with upper management, and traveled to
places as distant as Jamaica, Sweden, and Dubai. All
things considered, I've found it to be a highly rewarding
experience.
This isn't to say that I haven't had time for myself.
I still have a many interests outside of work
that keep things exciting. Last year, I practiced and sang
with the Young New Yorkers' Chorus, performing pieces by
Brahms, Durufle, and Bernstein.
Recently, I curated an art exhibit in Brooklyn featuring
contemporary pieces from two up and coming artists.
What advice do you have to give applicants?
When it comes to interviewing, I would advise people to be
honest and really try to understand the questions that are
being asked. Although this may sound simple in theory, it
can be difficult in practice. Some candidates are afraid that
their interviewer will be critical of them and have a very
preconceived idea of what they are looking for. Meanwhile, those who
dare to ask questions for clarification purposes are the most
effective interviewees.
Consulting largely focuses on analytical processes and client
encounters. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain a relaxed yet
professional demeanor and to feel comfortable posing critical questions to quickly get to the core of the
problem you are trying to analyze.
Good luck!
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