Why did you select The Parthenon Group?

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to intern at Parthenon for a short period of time as a summer associate following my junior year of college. This provided me with a 10-week taste of life at Parthenon, and I could not have been more pleased to receive a full-time offer. My experience made my decision to join Parthenon full-time following graduation very easy. The chance to continue working for a growing company with fantastic people, interesting work, and the opportunity for significant responsibility within a short period of time was too good to pass up. My conversations with college friends regarding their own summer internships assured me that there is no other company like Parthenon.

In particular, the nature of the work was appealing to me. Like many, I came into consulting without a clear idea of what my long-term career plans were. In this sense, Parthenon was the perfect place for me to start. It not only offers its employees a chance to experience more traditional corporate consulting, but also to try their hands at private equity consulting, education consulting, health care consulting and a hedge fund, not to mention several offices to visit.

What types of clients/industries have you worked on at The Parthenon Group?

Even though I have been a full-time employee at Parthenon for just two years, I have been able to gain experience consulting for a wide range of industries. This is a result of the firm's diverse client base, as well as one of the benefits of the two-case model. I began my career at Parthenon in the corporate strategy practice where I worked for a furniture company, a graduate school, a couple of health care companies, an industrial conglomerate and a large public school district. After about eight months of corporate strategy, I decided to move into the private equity practice. This ability to move between industries and practices with ease is one of the most rewarding aspects of working at Parthenon. Unlike many other consulting firms, associates are not tied to a particular industry based on geography, but rather are able to largely tailor their caseload to their own interests.

What leadership opportunities have you been involved in at The Parthenon Group?

One of the benefits to Parthenon’s small size is that associates are given an unusual amount of responsibility very early on in their careers. For instance, in my first year here I was given the opportunity to manage relationships with survey companies, conduct customer and competitor interviews, as well as present my own opinions and findings in both internal team and client meetings. By the end of my first year, I had several clients who would call my direct line with questions, which is something you would not find at many other consulting firms. These leadership opportunities, both within client work and internal roles, are a direct result of Parthenon’s commitment to professional development and strong belief in the abilities of its employees.

How does The Parthenon Group fit into your life outside of work?

Whether it’s a Red Sox game, a weekend ski trip to Stowe, drinks after work on Friday, or our traditional South End brunch, I find myself hanging out with Parthenon folks regularly outside of work. The people at Parthenon genuinely enjoy spending time with each other, which is an important quality considering that you spend the majority of your time working closely with them. In fact, Parthenon seeks out people that are not only intelligent, but who are a good social match for the firm, which is why we have a separate “Fit” interview. The fact that I have found a number of close friends among my colleagues is perhaps the most important part of Parthenon for me. It could be the most interesting job in the world, but if I am not drawn to the people around me, I would likely be happier elsewhere.

Do you have any interests or hobbies outside of work?

While Parthenon takes up the large majority of my time, as an associate, I certainly am most able to carve out time to devote to another cause or activity. For instance, I am very involved with an organization called Access Better Learning & Education (ABLE), a non-profit based in Boston that is focused on helping Boston's at-risk youth graduates from high school. Through this organization students are paired with four-year sponsors who provide one-on-one guidance and financial support for tuition-based education. The hope is that this education and support will afford these students the opportunity to pursue higher education and ultimately succeed in the workforce. In addition to serving as a mentor and sponsor, I am on the Executive Committee of the organization (along with several Parthenon alums).

What is your favorite quality about The Parthenon Group?

More than anything, what drew me to Parthenon is its unique culture. Intellectually, Parthenon is an incredibly stimulating environment. I learn from, and am challenged by, my coworkers every day. Their raw intelligence and ability to think creatively continues to impress me. Despite the hard work and occasionally long hours, people at Parthenon have not forgotten how to have fun. In fact, having a good time is a staple of Parthenon culture. Whether it’s a quick game of foosball on the 16th floor of the Boston office, company meeting video skits, balcony parties, or an overly competitive Fantasy Football league, people at Parthenon are always up for a good time.