Reflections on a career in consulting: navigating the workplace authentically

Reflecting on the 15 years of experience, people and challenges that have helped shape my career as a woman in the fast-paced world of consulting.

In brief

• Beginning with career in consulting — with short stints in finance and private equity, I have fulfilled my ambition and determination to build a different life for myself in a new country. 
• Building inspiring working relationships has shaped my career and helped break barriers as a woman in consulting, which fuels my commitment to full cycle mentorship and ongoing learning.  

If someone had told me 22 years ago that I would be boarding a plane to Canada with only two bags in hand to start a new life, I would have told them they were crazy. Little did I know this would soon become my reality. At the start of the millennium, I settled in as a newcomer to Canada fuelled by my ambition and determination to build a different life for myself in a new country.

This began with a career in consulting — with short stints in finance and private equity — before eventually making my way back into consulting. Since the early days of my career, I knew I didn’t like routine. It was important for me to find a profession that would allow me to experience fresh challenges every day. And after 15 years, I’m pleased to say that no two days ever look alike.

One month into my new role as National Enterprise Risk Practice Leader in the Consulting practice, I find myself reflecting on the experiences, people and challenges that have helped shape my career as a woman in the fast-paced world of consulting. 

Cultivating inspiring working relationships

I’m a people person first. The most rewarding part of my job is the people I get to meet and work with. I thrive off good energy and I find nothing as fulfilling as having a positive impact on someone’s career. Working in consulting, you touch all walks of life — across geographies, sectors and seniority — allowing you to make meaningful, lifelong connections with colleagues and clients each day. Learning from their lived experiences and expertise gives you the opportunity to lead more inclusively and help better understand how to position yourself to navigate the challenges of a demanding work environment. 

Mentorship comes full circle 

As leaders, we have a responsibility to empower the next generation of consultants, giving them the tools necessary to build their own success. It’s all about paying it forward. Mentorship has become core to who I am — helping others advance and enable them to distinguish between their goals and the necessary steps needed to achieve them.

At EY, there are numerous opportunities to give back. Whether through EY Ripples, Today’s Families Network or the Black Professional Network, there are outlets and groups in place to encourage collaborative teaming, learning and development — providing the right mentorship, sponsorship and support to all individuals so they can reach their full potential. 

Recently, I’ve been working with a very dynamic entrepreneur through EY Entrepreneurs Access Network, identifying ways to accelerate their business. Though still in the early stage, I’ve seen them make great strides both personally and professionally. Who would have thought that two decades after arriving in Canada with no network but a lot of enthusiasm, I would be able to pay it forward and help connect ambitious young entrepreneurs with the right people to succeed in their own careers. 

Driving innovation through a commitment to ongoing learning 

Learning is an ongoing part of everything we do at EY. In today’s dynamic and ever-changing environment, we must learn as we go. Naturally, some of us have a broader range of experiences than others, but claiming we are seasoned in everything we do is a stretch. I’m a firm believer in scheduling time for daily learning, but know it’s an ongoing process and should be cultivated as a skill unto itself.

I’m grateful to work for an organization that empowers me and my team to take the time to invest in learning and development — and provides the tools and resources to do so. Since the launch of EY Badges, a series of digital badges for future-focused skills such as data science, transformational leadership and AI, my team has had the opportunity to build the sought-after skills needed to continuously improve, transform and stay relevant. Thanks to this initiative, we have been able to demonstrate our skills and commitment to delivering on EY's purpose of building a better working world — now and for future generations of consultants. 

Breaking barriers in the corporate world 

As a French-speaking person trying to navigate a primarily anglophone consulting landscape, I often struggled with the negative inner monologue trying to convince me that I could never succeed. I worked hard to suppress that voice in my head so that it didn’t hold me back from being exposed to the right people and seizing new opportunities. It has helped me realize that many people bring unique backgrounds, from growing up overseas speaking different languages, or having experienced all sorts of hardships that actually helped them shape their personas. Viewing it from this perspective makes me no longer think of my differences as potential challenges, but as sources of strength. This is part of who I am.

I’ve grown to embrace another important aspect of my identity from my experience as woman in a once male-dominated field. At the time I started my career in consulting, there were only a few women in leadership roles at my firm. For the most part, they were perceived to have very strong personalities and be extremely career driven, leaving very little time for their lives outside of work. Years later, I realized that all of them had personal lives — kids, partners and responsibilities in their communities. I’ve come to realize that embracing who I am is just easier, and so much more fulfilling. Most people are more than happy to accept the various facets of my identity — one of them being my pride and joy as a mother. 

Though there’s still a long road to establishing equality in the business world, I’m thrilled to see more women feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work every day. At EY, I feel fortunate to work for a company that’s committed to fostering a sense of belonging for all — where diversity is embrace and valued.

The best piece of advice I could give a woman, or anyone, considering pursuing a career in consulting it to trust that trying something new will always offer you new opportunities. Take the leap of faith, trust your gut and apply to that job you think you don’t stand a chance at. It may end up being the best decision of your life.