Your role is not typical for the consulting industry, how did you end up as a Senior Operations Associate at Level5?

I wasn’t sure exactly how or where I wanted to start my career. When I thought about what I wanted to do after school, I wanted a role that was dynamic and would expose me to different areas of business. The typical paths that were being pitched to me as a student didn’t resonate, so I held out for something that stood out from the standard route.

At the time it was terrifying to think that I would be graduating without a job lined up – I thought I was failing.

When I came across the opening for an Operations Business Analyst at Level5, it struck a chord with me. It was an unusual job description, but it felt familiar to a role I held in a previous internship, and I knew that Level5 had strong company culture, so I decided to go for it. Throughout the interview process, I met so many people who all exemplified the qualities I had heard about which solidified my desire to be part of the team.

From the very beginning of my time at the firm it was clear that I had made the right decision.

How has your role at Level5 evolved over time, and what have been the key factors in your career growth and development?

Throughout the interview process I was told that this role would give me the freedom to handle many aspects of the firm’s operations. Initially, I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I knew it was empowering for someone so early in their career.

From the outset it has been a dynamic role, but over my time at Level5 it has continued to evolve, which has brought on many opportunities to learn and impact how we operate as a firm. As my role expanded, so did I, both in terms of capability and responsibility.

I hold a unique position between the consulting team and the leadership team, which has given me the opportunity to participate in conversations that most people at my stage in their career would not necessarily have access to.

I have been challenged to find my own voice early and it has allowed me to connect the dots between my own tasks and the broader strategy of the firm. Being asked my opinion and being brought into matters that don’t necessarily involve me have pushed me into a space where it’s now second nature to have a perspective on things.

You’ve been instrumental in Level5’s recruitment efforts over the last three years – how did you get involved?

I’ve embraced the multifaceted nature of my role – in other words, I wear a lot of hats. Joining the operations team naturally led me to become involved in our recruiting activities and find something to take more ownership of.

I often joke that I bleed orange, so I was happy to represent the firm and share our story. Beyond that, it was important to me to provide an honest perspective about the industry. I’ve had a unique path to consulting, and I want to leverage that perspective to help others understand the role.

Consulting is not for everyone and working at a small firm is not for everyone. I always advise candidates to take the time to understand what they’re seeking in a role and the environment they’re entering. Talk to people who are in the role and doing the work every day. It’s the aspects that resonate with you, as well as those that don’t, that will guide you in making an informed decision.

What do you appreciate most about the Level5 culture?

Aside from the people I work with, what I appreciate most about the culture of Level5 is the room it provides for learning and growth. It’s a place where initiative and drive are not only welcomed but encouraged to thrive.

The opportunity to get involved beyond my immediate role and help shape the company is incredibly rewarding. I have ownership over tasks that actively contribute to making Level5 a better place through internal initiatives.

The challenges presented to me consistently push my boundaries and force me to step out of my comfort zone. I’ve grown both professionally and personally, and I have yet to feel stagnant.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started out?

I wish I had known earlier the value of giving myself more opportunities to fail. You never know what you will learn or who you will meet from the experience, so say yes to as much as you can – especially in the early stages of your career. Those failures build resilience and reduce the performance anxiety that can come with trying new things.

I also remind the students I meet through recruiting that there is no single path or timeline that everyone must follow. At the time it was scary, but looking back, I’m glad I sat with the discomfort and waited for the right role to come along.