Maya Wu has recently wrapped up her summer internship as a Summer Associate at L.E.K. Consulting. In this Q&A, she reflects on her experience, discusses the valuable skills and lessons she has gained, and offers insightful advice for those aspiring to become a Summer Associate.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you came to be a Summer Associate at L.E.K.?
I grew up in San Diego and lived there most of my life before attending UC Berkeley, where I am majoring in operations research and management science, along with cognitive science. When I started college, I had no clear career path in mind, which led me to look into the breadth of student organizations that Berkeley offers. I joined a consulting club that introduced me to the field. Consulting attracted me because it provides exposure to different industries, continuous learning, and the chance to collaborate with various people in a fast-paced environment. This led me to apply to L.E.K., and since joining, I’ve really enjoyed the culture and the people I work with.
What motivated you to accept our offer?
I applied to several internships, and L.E.K. was one of the first to respond, which was encouraging. Honestly, after the first round, I really wasn’t expecting to hear back, so when I got the email about the final round, it almost took some of the pressure off, and I went into those interviews with more confidence and the goal of learning more about the firm. I was able to connect more with my interviewers, which helped me envision what working at L.E.K. would look like.
Before I had heard back about the decision, the Managing Director who interviewed me reached out to schedule a call, which initially made me nervous. However, after talking to a friend who interned at L.E.K., I saw it as a good sign. During the call, which was right after one of my lectures, the MD congratulated me and offered me the role. He was super welcoming and enthusiastic about me joining the firm, and this personal touch from someone who interviewed me in the final round definitely helped me make my decision.
Additionally, the recruiter set up a coffee chat with an associate from the San Francisco office who attended USC, and we had a great 30-minute conversation. I also connected with alumni who had interned at L.E.K., and they all shared positive experiences. This feedback boosted my confidence in accepting the internship and exploring where it would lead.
How has your experience been so far? What have you been working on?
Starting with training week in Cape Cod was a highlight, where I met summer associates and consultants from across the U.S. – we were able to build community, and it prepped us for the basics of the job. However, I think most of my learning has definitely come from my projects.
Once staffed, I worked on two healthcare services projects. The first was an 8-week strategy project. I joined in the third week, and it was overwhelming at first, especially trying to grasp how insurance works in healthcare. However, the team was incredibly supportive. I handled scheduling and admin tasks for an interview campaign and collaborated with experts to gain industry insights. After that, I briefly worked on a TMT growth strategy, and then was quickly staffed to another healthcare services project, this time focusing on commercial due diligence.
Across both of these projects, one of the coolest parts was being in rooms with top executives as an undergrad. Seeing slides I created being discussed was surreal but rewarding, especially as I grew more confident and contributed to larger parts of the project. Overall, seeing both the strategy and due diligence sides of L.E.K. has been really interesting, and I feel it gave me a well-rounded view of what a full-time role would look like.
What do you think about the culture at L.E.K.?
The culture at L.E.K. has been awesome. During training week in Cape Cod, I met managers, consultants, and senior associates who led our sessions. After training, we had dinners, played cornhole, went down to the beach, and spent nights just talking around the fire pit or on the lawn. I noticed how approachable everyone was and there was no awkward hierarchy.
On both my projects, there was always someone from the San Francisco office to grab coffee or lunch with. L.E.K. also hosted great events like the Day of Service, where we volunteered with a local non-profit. Other highlights included the sailing event and the baseball game. Everyone at L.E.K. has been eager to answer my questions and help out. They understand that as interns, we are coming in with minimal experience, and they have offered great support without any pressure to be perfect from day one.
How do you see this experience aligning with your long-term career goals?
This experience at L.E.K. has been incredibly valuable in helping me figure out a potential path. In terms of skills, I've gained a lot that will be useful wherever I go in my career. I've improved my communication skills, learning how to convey messages clearly and effectively. I've also honed my research skills and learned how to work effectively in a team, especially during long hours and tight deadlines. This experience has taught me how to be a supportive team player and where I can best contribute to the team's success. Additionally, I've learned the importance of reaching out for help and just understanding that people are willing to make time for you.
Any advice for someone who would like to be a Summer Associate at L.E.K.?
First, definitely practice casing with your friends. I had my roommate and some friends case me before my interviews, and it really helped. Also, just taking the time to learn about the firm and tying that in also really helped me in the interviews.
L.E.K. emphasizes being humble and curious, so make sure to demonstrate those attributes throughout the interview process. There's no specific set of experiences you need to have before coming into consulting. My background is quite varied, including work in education, nonprofits, government, and impact investing. One of my co-interns had experience in fashion and ended up loving a life sciences case. It's all about showing what unique perspectives and skills you can bring to the table, rather than fitting a particular mold.