Erison Hurtault

McKinsey Office: New York City, NY

Hometown: Aberdeen, NJ

MBA Program, Concentration: NYU Stern – Business Analytics, Strategy & Finance

Undergraduate School, Major: Columbia University, Economics

Focus of Current Engagement: Helping a client develop their firm-wide data strategy

Why did you choose McKinsey? I was drawn in by the opportunity to explore pretty much any industry and to help clients deal with their toughest challenges. At the time, I was not clear about which industry I wanted to go into, but my history as an athlete and a coach taught me that I do really enjoy working with other great people who are passionate about making a positive impact. Also, throughout recruitment, I spoke to a few McKinsey employees who joined the firm after great careers in athletics, the military, and in music. They all spoke about how the firm was an ideal place for someone with drive and that your professional growth was only limited by the effort that you put into it.

What did you love about the business school you attended? Much of my experience in business school was in a remote setting, so I didn’t get the full experience. However, Stern has a very social and a tight knit student community.

What lesson or skill did you learn from training (formal or informal) at McKinsey and how has it helped in your role? Letting your team know when you need help and offering support to others is essential to get the best out of the team. Working through problems with team members at McKinsey is very similar to what I experienced as a coach and as an athlete, so it is reassuring to see how important being a team player is.

Tell us about an “only at McKinsey” moment you’ve had so far. I feel like these happen all the time. I am consistently surprised at the background of many of the people that I work with.  I regularly encounter people who have really impressive backgrounds – former professional athletes, professional musicians, and more.

Tell us something you’ve learned about yourself or something that brought you closer to teammates or clients during the COVID-19 pandemic? Though the pandemic has forced many of us to be apart, I have regularly connected with colleagues from around the world who are part of McKinsey affinity groups like McKinsey Black Network or Christians at McKinsey. If we weren’t forced to spend so much time on Zoom, I doubt I would have had the opportunity to meet so many of them.

What advice would you give someone interviewing at McKinsey? McKinsey really values diverse perspectives, so make sure that your personality and your individual experience comes through.

Who has had the biggest impact on you at McKinsey and how has she/he helped you? I would have to say those in my Embark (McKinsey’s official onboarding training) class. We have tried to stay close since joining which helps a lot given the firm is a very decentralized place. Having a group to hang out with at the office on Fridays or to reach out to when I have questions has been great.

My most meaningful achievement (professional or personal) and how it made a difference is…Qualifying for the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. I had the chance to represent my family’s home country of Dominica.

A fun fact about me is…I used to be a professional runner and I have competed in over 25 different countries.

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