Carlos Bosch, current BBA student, talks about his experience at the A.T. Kearney Challenge, and how he and his team managed to win this esteemed competition. A.T. Kearney, through the Career Management Center, invited IE University students to participate in this competition, aimed at identifying young talent for the firm.
What exactly is the A.T. Kearney Challenge?
It is a one-day experience in one of the top consulting firms. The challenge consists in solving a real case, and competing against teams from the best universities in Spain. The best presentation wins.
How did you hear about the A.T. Kearney Challenge?
An IEU classmate, Álvaro Bernabeu, did his summer internship there, and told us about the opportunity.
How did the IEU experience help you throughout the challenge?
The fact that IEU is case-oriented, emphasises teamwork, and puts a focus on presentations were key factors for success. We felt comfortable presenting and solving the case as it didn’t differ much from what we were used to doing in class.
What can you tell us about the different stages?
The experience starts with a few talks led by associates and managers from the firm. They give their insight on working for a consulting firm and explain the firm’s working methodology and vision.
Then all the teams start working. During the day, we received feedback from our mentor and current A.T. Kearney consultants who play the role of CEO or CFO of the company we are working for in the simulation, making the case feel more realistic.
Finally, each team presents its conclusion in front of a committee made up of associates and managers.
Did you expect to win?
The competition was fierce. All the teams were extremely talented and came from the best master’s programs in Spain. However, we were confident and knew we had a real chance. Once again it wasn’t different from what we were used to, and this may not have been the case for the other teams.
Would you want to share any tips or advice with students interested in participating in future editions of the A.T. Kearney Challenge?
Stay calm and focused from the first minute to the last, and ask questions. It’s important to first make a deep analysis of all the data provided, and then brainstorm to build the answer on the right assumptions.