Meet McKinsey’s MBA Class Of 2017

Molly Duncan

McKinsey Office: Charlotte

Hometown: Greensboro, NC

MBA Program: UVA Darden School of Business

Undergraduate School, Major: Davidson College, Psychology

Focus of current engagement: Currently working on a project within Recovery and Transformation Services

Why did you choose McKinsey? I really fell in love with McKinsey’s culture and with the Charlotte office. “People” is such a cliché reason, but that’s really what it came down to for me. I made great connections during recruiting with folks who have now become mentors, friends, and even partners on my projects. You spend so much time with each other that really enjoying the people I work with was critical for me when choosing a firm.

What lesson from business school best prepared you for your career in consulting at McKinsey? Days at Darden were often very busy with a balance of academics, recruiting, social life, and club activities. Each day, you’re juggling those balls and learning the best ways to prioritize and what really works for you in terms of lifestyle and time management. Life at McKinsey is no different. There’s never enough time to do everything in a day, so it’s about figuring out what must be done and then turning to the things that give you energy, whether that’s working out, grabbing a drink with teammates, or helping with recruiting. Darden was great preparation for the juggling act that is consulting.

Tell us about an “Only at McKinsey” moment you’ve had so far. I’ve definitely had a few pinch me moments, but one in particular stands out. Following Hurricane Harvey, we got to work with a client in a war room focused on how Harvey impacted their sales representatives, distribution, and pricing. Watching and supporting our clients as they navigated this moment of crisis for their employees and their business was an incredible experience.

What advice would you give to someone interviewing at McKinsey? Don’t underestimate the personal experience (or PEI) portion of the interview. While case interviews may require more practice, the personal portion matters just as much. The PEI is a great opportunity to showcase why you are special and what would make you a great fit. Make sure you know your stories well enough to be able to relax and focus on really connecting with your interviewer.

What do you expect to be doing in 5-10 years? I’m interested in so many different industries and functional areas that I don’t have a clear picture of the content I will be working on, but I know it will involve working on a team. I’m a true extrovert – all my energy comes from interacting with and being in the trenches with other people. I know any job I have in the future will be as part of a team.

My greatest personal or professional accomplishment is…Serving as Darden’s Student Body President during my second year and working with a team of incredibly talented classmates and friends.

A fun fact about me is…I am a HUGE fan of mini golf (have played 40 courses as of January 1st). When I was younger, I told my mom I wanted to go on a putt-putt tour of the world for my honeymoon. I am getting married in June, but that idea got vetoed.

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