How An MBA & Consortium Fellowship Helped Launch My McKinsey Consulting Career
The Goizueta MBA and a Consortium fellowship helped Osereme Ujadughele land a role at McKinsey
Osereme Ujadughele landed a top job with McKinsey & Company after business school. Here’s how an MBA and Consortium Fellowship put her on the path to success
Osereme Ujadughele has always been passionate about building connections with people.
Growing up in California, ‘Ose’—as she’s known to many— was raised in a Nigerian family with her three younger brothers. At an early age, she spent six years at boarding school in Nigeria learning about her cultural heritage.
The experience helped Ose discover her passions, including a love of food, which she later channeled into her career as she took on a job at a Californian winery after graduating from her bachelor’s degree.
As part of a rotational program, Ose spent time learning about areas including sales and logistics, and got her first taste of leadership. Gaining an insight into the business world inspired her to learn more, she says.
“I could see decisions were being made without me having the full picture, and I really wanted to understand that, so that’s what sparked my interest in business school.”
With a desire to diversify her skill set and expand her leadership skills, Ose decided an MBA program would provide the holistic education to take the next step in her career.
From the vineyard to the MBA classroom
Ose’s cultural roots played a large part in her adult life. As an undergraduate, she served as president of several Black and Nigerian student associations and was keen to maintain this focus on diversity as she moved forward in her journey.
While working at the winery, she took part in the Forté MBALaunch program, which provides guidance and support for women in business to help with their MBA applications.
Later, when hearing about The Consortium, which offers fellowships and networking opportunities to help business school students from underrepresented communities, Ose was keen to get involved.
“The point of The Consortium application process is to state what you’ve done for underrepresented minority communities in the past, and what you want to do to help in the future—that is a goal of mine,” she explains.
When deciding where to study her MBA, Ose decided to leave California and enroll at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School in Atlanta. A highly diverse institution, the Goizueta MBA cohort features students from 25 different countries, and 26% of the class come from underrepresented communities.
“I landed on Emory because it gave me that great city location,” she explains. “It was nice to be in a school and a city that had other things to offer, so I could build my passions outside of class and meet people from different parts of life.”
Studying a top MBA program
While studying her MBA, Ose enjoyed the broad variety of classes Goizueta has to offer. The curriculum covers business fundamentals ranging from human resources to accounting, but also enables students to dive deep into their areas of interest. Ose found she particularly enjoyed her marketing classes.
Alongside the core curriculum, the Goizueta MBA offers a range of experiential learning opportunities, including a tailored leadership development program and a four-month, client-based, strategic consulting project, titled: Goizueta IMPACT.
Ose’s IMPACT experience saw her working to help a New York-based bakery firm with an expansion plan.
“We helped them figure out solutions to their problems that they were implementing in real time,” she explains. “You’re working on it with a team of people who you don’t know, all of whom have different backgrounds and experiences.”
The IMPACT program helped Ose apply the knowledge she’d gained in class, while also allowing her to identify her strengths and weaknesses in a practical setting.
Another key part of the MBA experience: all Two-Year MBA Goizueta students get the chance to take part in an internship midway through the program. Ose spent the summer with Proctor & Gamble, where she worked as a brand management intern. The experience was eye-opening, she says.
“Because I did a rotational program before, I was used to solving different problems, getting to work with different people, and just getting a diverse experience. I realized I didn’t want to be pigeon-holed into being an operations or marketing professional.”
Becoming a McKinsey consultant
Ose’s discovery helped guide her towards a career in consulting. While she’d initially been wary of the industry—which has a reputation for intensive work and long hours—the idea of working on projects that involve different problems, companies, and industries appealed to her.
“You can close yourself off too soon, and I think I did that in the beginning. But I had time to redeem myself,” she says.
With help from the Goizueta career management team, she connected with alumni and other Consortium fellows and likeminded peers at various consulting firms, who offered support and advice.
After securing interviews and offers with several top firms, she decided McKinsey was the right fit and accepted a role as an implementation consultant. Working on the implementation side means the role utilizes Ose’s newfound expertise, as the job incorporates areas such as growth, marketing, and sales.
“I get to keep my operations experience and expand in that marketing and sales world that I wanted to go into,” Ose says.
Reflecting on her journey so far, Ose feels her passion for connection and the network she built during the Goizueta MBA and as a Consortium fellow were integral in helping her secure the role.
“Oftentimes we’re afraid of people judging us, and you won’t vibe with everyone, but my advice would be to meet people in all walks of life—whether they can help you now, later or not at all—because you just never know.”
In general, Emory University is an excellent institution with valuable resources. The majority of the professors I encountered were outstanding and displayed a genuine concern for their students. Furthermore, Atlanta provides a plethora of opportunities and experiences.
Student
Verified
31/10/2023
On Campus
Pleasant weather, campus and professors
Emory enjoys pleasant weather for the most part, with warmth and mild conditions. The only drawback is the spring season, particularly due to the heavy pollen presence. Everything becomes coated in layers of pollen, which can be problematic for allergy sufferers. Fortunately, this pollen season is relatively short-lived. During the spring and fall, the weather can be quite unpredictable, swinging from scorching heat to chilly temperatures. You'll often find students relaxing or studying outdoors on campus with Professors ever ready to attend to students personally.
Student
Verified
30/10/2023
On Campus
Outstanding academics
At Emory, the academics are outstanding! It takes a lot of effort and commitment, but the results are well worth it. Teachers are very approachable and like answering inquiries from students. Nobody ever turning away a student that I know of. The campus is beautiful and tidy at Emory, with many places to relax and study.
Student
Verified
24/10/2023
On Campus
Academic performance surpassed my expectations
Emory University's academic performance surpassed my expectations. Achieving good grades often requires substantial effort, and the academic rigor varies depending on your chosen major. Nevertheless, I encountered highly knowledgeable professors, well-equipped to teach their respective courses. Emory offers a wide range of subject areas to choose from, providing students with diverse academic opportunities.
Student
Verified
24/10/2023
On Campus
Outstanding institution with stunning aesthetics
Emory University is an outstanding institution! The campus boasts stunning aesthetics, the individuals are friendly, and there is an abundance of activities available in the surrounding areas of Atlanta, Georgia. Undoubtedly, my most cherished aspect of Emory was its people. I forged numerous friendships and encountered individuals from diverse backgrounds. Academically, Emory provides a manageable experience. The majority of my professors were excellent, although, as is the case with any university, there may be certain classes or professors that one may not enjoy. Nevertheless, conducting some inquiries and perusing online reviews should provide a fairly accurate insight into what to anticipate in each class.
Student
Verified
23/10/2023
On Campus
Professors skilled in interactive discussions
I take great pleasure in the small class sizes and the professors' skill in creating interactive discussions. The professors demonstrate a strong enthusiasm for their subjects, consistently making the course content fascinating. Moreover, I am captivated by the beautiful campus, and its location is equally appealing.
Student
Verified
23/10/2023
On Campus
Exceptional faculty members
Emory University takes pride in its exceptional faculty members who are highly educated and committed to utilizing innovative and successful teaching techniques.It is widely recognized for its extensive research endeavors, offering students a wide-ranging knowledge foundation that can be readily applied to a variety of academic disciplines.
Student
Verified
25/02/2023
On Campus
Review of Emory university
The Professors are awesome and you get a lot of opportunities to get involved both on and off Campus. The campus is very lovely. The community of people are welcoming, super nice, and entertaining. The dining halls have popular music from throughout the decade playing and the overall atmosphere is super relaxing and enjoyable.
Konya
Verified
3/11/2022
On Campus
Batch'20
Emory is an amazing campus and a school with a nice social scene. I always wanted to see what it was like living in the states and this made it happen. Loving making new friends, acquaintances and some for life bonds as well as learning new subject every week. Emory is a great choice.
Jamie
Verified
26/05/2024
On Campus
Professors are always enthusiastic
Emory University is simply outstanding. They have excellent academic programmes with a vast selection of engaging courses. The instructors are extremely informed and enthusiastic about their subject matter. Additionally, the student support services are excellent. They have advisors that help you at every stage and offer resources for career counselling, mental health support, and tutoring. Emory genuinely cares about your prosperity and welfare. This university is fascinating and forward-thinking at the same time!
Linda
Verified
26/05/2024
On Campus
Lending a helping hand
The instructors at Emory University are redefining what it means to be helpful. They support us academically and serve as supporters, mentors, and confidants in addition to being educators. They are always there to provide advice and support, whether it is by remaining after class to address unanswered questions or by getting together for coffee on the weekends to talk about our professional goals. Their commitment to our achievement goes well beyond the school day, demonstrating time and again that students at Memory are people with dreams, not just a name. It's all possibilities when you have instructors like these.
Paige
Verified
26/05/2024
On Campus
Exceptional mentorship
Emory University is a refuge for both intellectual prowess and individual development. These instructors motivate students in addition to instructing. They go above and above to make sure every student succeeds, offering anything from spontaneous office hours to late-night emails that explain difficult subjects. Their commitment to us doesn't stop in the classroom; they support and encourage us as we overcome both academic and personal obstacles. In addition to being competent, Emory's faculty members have a personal stake in our success, both within and outside the classroom. Emory stands out for the kind of help he provides.
