Experiences of an Undergraduate Consultant

 01 March 2017

Undergraduates 2016/2017

by George Chard

I had the pleasure of spending my 2016/17 summer working as an undergraduate consultant in Advisian’s Sydney office. The undergrad program ran for 12 weeks, split into two 6-week rotations. These rotations gave me the opportunity to experience the numerous service lines that Advisian works across and ranged from providing contractual services for the Newcastle Light Rail project, to undertaking a due diligence investigation for a major NSW energy distribution company.

Weekly Training

In addition to my project-based work, every Friday of the undergrad program was dedicated to receiving industry-related training and mentoring from senior staff. This training aimed to provide insight above and beyond that gained from regular project work and included presentations on the development of new risk estimating techniques, to a workshop on effective networking and public speaking.

Undergraduate Group Project

Outside of my rotations I also took part in a group project with the other undergrads, researching the area of Social Infrastructure. This project was based around the Greater Sydney district plans recently released for review by the Greater Sydney Commission and gave us the opportunity to:

  • Develop an interactive Project Management Office (PMO) website, showing the upcoming social infrastructure projects across Sydney.

  • Present a venture pitch back to the business on new market opportunities and insights gained from our research.

  • Prepare a perspective piece based on our research which was subsequently published on the Advisian website.

  • Submit an official response to the Greater Sydney Commission’s district plans, outlining our vision for the future of Sydney.

All up I had a fantastic time during my 12 weeks working at Advisian. The program allowed me to gain a great insight into the world of management consulting and I was able to learn from industry leaders with experience across a wide range of sectors. This, balanced with the vibrant company culture, meant there was never a dull moment at work. I would highly recommend the program to anyone looking to start a career as a management consultant.

Social and Community Opportunities

Work and play went hand in hand during my time at Advisian. Outside of work I had a plethora of social opportunities to get involved in. These included:

  • Joining the “Advisian Avengers” social touch football and soccer teams

  • Sweating through early-morning group fitness training sessions

  • Holding a position on the Corporate Social Responsibility committee

Social outing

We also had the opportunity to plan and run our very own social function for the conclusion of the undergrad program. This year’s function involved playing barefoot bowls overlooking the Harbour Bridge and then an all-you-can-eat Brazilian BBQ experience!

For more information on the Advisian undergraduate program and how to apply, visit the website: www.advisian.com/careers/futures-program

Download the Asia Pacific Undergraduate and Graduate Development Programs brochure