Meet Savannah Naib, a University of Pennsylvania graduate and lateral hire who joined L.E.K. from a boutique consulting firm in Cleveland. In this Q&A, Savannah shares her journey to consulting, her experience transitioning to L.E.K., and her insights on making the most of a career in this dynamic field.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your journey to a career in consulting.
I grew up in Philadelphia, attended the University of Pennsylvania for undergrad, and graduated in 2022. I majored in Economics and Environmental Studies, two very different programs that allowed me to hone a mix of qualitative and quantitative skills. During college, I spent my summers working across various industries—starting with a marketing role at a beverage company, then trying out a financial internship, and lastly working on an organic farm in Maine for a month.

As neither finance nor marketing felt like the right fit, and working on a farm full-time didn’t seem entirely feasible as a career, I decided to find something that allowed for both creative and analytical thinking while keeping things dynamic. Consulting stood out because it continuously offers opportunities to learn about new industries, talk to experts, and solve unique problems. The more I thought about it and discussed it with family and friends, the more it seemed like a great career path for me.

What motivated your decision to transition from your previous consulting firm to L.E.K.?
At my previous company, a boutique consulting firm in Cleveland, I worked almost exclusively on due diligence projects focused on interview and survey feedback. It was a great start, and I adored the team, but I wanted to expand my skill set and work on more analytical projects. I was also excited by the chance to explore L.E.K.’s Agribusiness practice within the industrials sector, as it allowed me to incorporate that passion into my corporate career.

Beyond the project work, I was ready to experience life at a larger firm with more resources, a wider variety of projects, and broader opportunities for growth. This mindset applied to cities as well, as I was looking to relocate from Cleveland to a larger city, preferably one closer to home on the East Coast, and Boston fit that description perfectly.

What was the interview process like, and how did you prepare?
I actually found the L.E.K. job posting through Handshake using my UPenn login. Applying was straightforward, and I updated my resume to reflect my work in Cleveland. For prep, I revisited some of the resources I used in undergrad, like online case studies and Case in Point, and practiced a few cases with friends. Since I had actual consulting experience, things felt more natural this time around.
The interviews themselves were composed of interesting cases and conversations with various L.E.K. employees across multiple levels. The first round was shorter, with two cases, and during one, I spoke to an Associate in Boston. The final round, which comprised three cases, included a conversation with a partner also based in the Boston office. Overall, the process gave me a good sense of the people and culture, both in the Boston office and at L.E.K. more broadly.

What was your onboarding experience like?
Onboarding was great! I joined with a group of about 20 other lateral hires in the Boston office and many more in other offices, so there was a built-in support system from the start. It’s nice to have people to lean on when you’re new, and many of us have stayed close. Additionally, a few other laterals came from similar consulting backgrounds, so we’ve been able to share experiences and compare notes as we adjust.
How would you compare the working styles or cultures between your previous firm and L.E.K.?

The hours at my old firm were often shorter—about 40 to 45 hours a week compared to the 50 to 65 here. The trade-off is that the structure at L.E.K. is more predictable. I know that Mondays through Wednesdays will be longer, but I can count on finishing earlier on Thursdays and Fridays, and there’s no weekend work, which is a huge plus for me.

Another big difference is the resources. At my previous firm, there was a good bit of manual work, like pulling contacts into a contact list when starting up an interview campaign or editing transcripts. Here, tools like the contact database make that kind of work much more efficient. Having teams such as D&A to help with difficult analyses or Knowledge Management to orient you on the topic of a new case saves time and allows for a more concentrated focus on project work.

How do you see L.E.K. helping you achieve your personal career goals?
I’m still figuring out my long-term goals, but I know I want to stay connected to agriculture. L.E.K. gives me the chance to work across different parts of the industry, as opposed to being siloed in one role at an ag company. I just finished a project on veterinary services for cattle, which felt right up my alley, and I’m starting to get to know the team most involved in L.E.K.’s Agribusiness practice, which has been lovely. Whatever path I choose, L.E.K. is helping me build critical thinking skills, dig deeper into problems, and ask the right questions. Those are tools I know I’ll carry with me wherever I go.

What advice would you give to someone joining this firm from another consulting firm?
Take the time to look at past decks and reports. Every firm has its own style for formatting, phrasing, and structuring documents, and understanding L.E.K.’s approach will make your first projects go more smoothly. Since we have access to so much previous casework, it’s worth reviewing materials, particularly if you’re diving into a sector that’s new to you. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to the people around you. Everyone here is incredibly helpful and willing to answer questions—you just need to ask!

Overall, are you happy with your lateral move to L.E.K.?
Absolutely. The work is challenging in the best way, and I feel like I’m constantly learning something new. I also love being in a larger office and getting to meet and work with such a wide variety of individuals, many of whom are incredibly knowledgeable about their sector. Relocating to Boston has been a wonderful change too, and I have especially enjoyed all the recommendations I’ve received about restaurants to try and places to explore. Overall, it was a great decision, and I’m so glad I made the move.