I completed my Bachelor in Information Systems Management, currently known as the Bachelor in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, ready to hit the ground running. During the program, I interned at my alma mater and top firm Martins De Lima, before being selected for a six-month strategy internship at Accenture. I also participated in an exchange semester at the University of Michigan in my third year. Thanks to my time at IE University, I possessed a well-honed suite of technical and soft skills that gave me a competitive edge in the job landscape.
So as soon as I graduated in 2022, I immediately joined Accenture in my new full-time role as a strategy analyst. I must say it has been an interesting journey so far: it has taught me a lot about my interests, my skills and my chosen career path.
How did you hear about this position?
My first work experience was provided by IE University, where I completed an internship in the Strategy & Innovation department as part of the Young Alumni Engagement team. Those six months were key to helping me transition progressively into the corporate sector: they allowed me to jump right into a consulting internship that summer and, a year later, to be selected for an internship at Accenture in the last semester of my program.
I gained all these professional experiences thanks to IE University’s Career Portal, so I am very grateful for the support I received and the resources the university constantly provided to help us stand out as job candidates.
Why were you interested in this opportunity?
During the program, the classes that strongly appealed to me were precisely those that helped me build the skills to fulfill the core task of a consultant, which is to address and satisfy the specific needs of a client while identifying viable growth opportunities. For this reason, I was determined to try out the consulting sector.
What was the recruitment process like and how can students prepare to succeed?
Accenture follows a process similar to other well-established consulting firms that involves an HR interview, a behavioral interview, a business case study and, lastly, a partner interview. I had already completed an internship at the company, so the process was much simpler for me—I went straight through to the final interview with the partners.
For other students, I recommend doing an internship before starting your career as an analyst. Since they have firsthand knowledge of your performance, it will significantly increase your chances of being selected.
Tell us more about your role: what does your day-to-day entail?
All projects vary considerably, thus generating a constant dynamism in the assigned responsibilities, the team you work with and the client’s objectives. In my current project, for instance, I’m working for one of the leading retailers in Spain. We frequent their headquarters on a daily basis for regular meetings with the top-level management of each department. This is essential as it allows us to successfully evaluate the current state of the company in order to extract the insights we need to build an analytical model and define the strategic plan that will be executed over the next five years.
By engaging in this extensive process of analysis, collaboration and strategy development, our team strives to equip the client with the necessary tools and insights to navigate the evolving retail landscape, capitalize on emerging opportunities, mitigate risks and drive sustained growth in the coming years.
What has your first year in the position been like so far?
During this first year working as a strategy analyst, I’ve been able to experience firsthand what the consultant role entails. On one hand, I’ve worked on projects of a very different caliber in terms of the client group, the project typology and objectives and the staffed team. I’ve rotated across various industries, including Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Retail and Testing, Inspection and Certifications. I’ve also collaborated on projects in other sectors, such as private banking, insurance and emerging technologies like IoT and AI.
For me, the biggest highlight has been the excellent client exposure, from leading presentations in front of the C-suite to interviewing top-level executives and attending client meetings in person.
Consulting is the perfect avenue for continuous learning. I consider us—the more junior profiles within companies—as sponges that absorb knowledge at an accelerated pace, quickly adapting to new environments and handling newly assigned responsibilities. Fortunately, we’re guided by a community of experienced professionals who gradually polish the best version of ourselves
Luckily, Accenture places a strong emphasis on continuous learning and provided me with the opportunity to attend an advanced economics and finance course at a recognized business school.
In retrospect, it’s been a year of rapid learning, coupled with the new friendships I have forged through various company activities.
How did your IE Experience help you secure this opportunity?
The training I received at IE University provided a great boost that launched my professional career smoothly. As soon as I stepped into my new role, I was able to quickly adapt to different group dynamics, communicate effectively and construct precise messages that conveyed every key point.
Additionally, I would like to highlight the constant support and complementary preparation I received throughout the program. I highly recommend taking full advantage of the IE Talent & Careers department—they offer a multitude of resources available to shape you into a competitive and well-prepared candidate who excels in interviews. Personally, I received one-on-one support during moments of uncertainty regarding what path to follow and which company aligned best with my profile and values. Having such a wealth of resources, mentors and professors willing to provide guidance was pivotal in defining and guiding my entry into the professional world.
Any tips for students interested in an internship or full-time position at Accenture in the future?
Fortunately, there are a myriad of resources to help prepare for consulting interviews at your disposal. At IE University, you can join the IE Consulting Club, participate in weekly case study workshops, attend webinars with top professionals and even engage in talent fairs. You also have the opportunity to join bootcamps, participate in Hackathons or pursue additional professional certifications.
Specifically for Accenture, it’s a good idea to attend IE University events where speakers from the company are invited or reach out to current employees through LinkedIn. Go one step further and leverage the university’s powerful global alumni network. For instance, I am more than happy to meet, assist and answer questions for anyone interested in launching their careers at Accenture.
Sometimes, the selection process can be exhausting, time-consuming and even demoralizing. But my honest advice is to have confidence in your abilities, be proactive and maintain an optimistic attitude. The key is to trust the process—hard work pays off.