Working at a consultancy firm is often associated with demanding hours, high-pressure environments and constant challenges. To demystify these stigmas and explore the opportunities in the field, six Técnico alumni shared their experiences at the Alumni Talk Consulting Edition, held on 11 December, in the Great Hall of Técnico – Alameda campus. Alexandre Correia (KPMG), Teresa Melvill de Araújo (Bain & Company), Gil Luís (BCG), Ana Pedrosa (Kearney), Bernardo Belo (Accenture) and Rui Pedro Vaz (Deloitte) represented some of the main consulting firms, several of which are members of the Técnico Partner Network.
The alumni shared their personal and professional experiences, challenges and opportunities of a career in consulting firms. Rui Pedro Vaz commented with humour ‘at my time, Técnico wasn’t as much fun as it is today’, while Alexandre Correia stressed the importance of these meetings. ‘It’s always very important to companies give visibility and show what the consulting job market is all about,’ stressed the KPMG consultant.
Teresa Melvill de Araújo confessed her regret at not having taken part in these events as a student. ‘They’re very important events, especially in an area that isn’t so widely explored here at the School,’ she emphasised. According to Gil Luís, the experience had a special meaning. ‘It’s been 10 years since I came to one of these breakfasts, probably the first edition, and it’s a very enriching event.’
For about two hours, in an informal setting, the students had the opportunity to clarify doubts, ask for advice, exchange opinions and experiences. The Técnico students David Sanches, Manuel Quintas and Leonardo Cabaça sat at a table with Rui Pedro Vaz. ‘These events are very important, especially for Técnico students, because they are open to everyone. However, not everyone knows about them, and they are not discussed much,’ said Manuel Quintas. Leonardo Cabaça emphasised the opportunity to break free from the academic routine, saying that ‘These conversations that stray from our daily activities are important for understanding a different reality beyond studying at Técnico and for exploring our future possibilities’. David Sanches, a Naval Engineering student, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative. ‘I’ll keep an eye out for future events,’ he emphasised.
‘This event aims to help you know what your professional ambitions are and to help you make informed decisions,’ explained Sofia Cabeleira, the Técnico Alumni Community Manager, at the opening of the event, referring to the importance of the initiatives promoted by the Career Center.
The event ended with a special thanks to the Santander Foundation, which regularly supports these initiatives, although no representative was able to attend this edition. ‘Santander supports us on this initiative and allows us to fill this room so many times and, for that, our most sincere gratitude,’ said Carla Patrocínio, Head of the Technology Transfer Office.
