Who are you? What did you study at the School of Business and when did you graduate?
Hi, I’m Jemina Viirret! I studied in the master’s programme in Strategic Management in a Changing World and graduated in 2024.
What has your career path been like?
During my studies, I worked in a variety of roles in the financial sector, both in retail and corporate banking, and after that I moved into the world of management consulting at Deloitte.
I really enjoyed working in financial services, but I felt a strong pull to broaden my strategic skill set, which my studies had already greatly strengthened. I ended up applying to Monitor Deloitte as a Trainee in strategy consulting. After the Trainee period I have been working as an Analyst in our Strategy & Business Design team.
What has been particularly important in your studies in your view?
Project experience and case assignments for real companies! The studies provide an excellent theoretical foundation, but you get to test real working‑life skills through collaborations with companies. On the other hand, they also give you the chance to hear more about the organisations themselves and the business challenges they genuinely face, which you might later end up solving as a consultant.
In addition, I see a lot of value in company events, such as excursions, where you can talk with employees and hear what working at a specific company is like in practice. In short: combining practical experience with theoretical knowledge – consulting in particular is a strong intersection of these two.
What advice would you give yourself if you were studying now?
Even though you learn a huge amount of new skills in working life, having broad prior knowledge is never a disadvantage – quite the opposite! At the same time, the study period is a unique and relatively short chapter in life, so I might be even more actively involved in student life and not rush quite so quickly into full‑time work. I don’t regret anything, though, and I want to emphasise that everything you do has its own value, as long as it is meaningful on your personal path.
What does your work involve and what have been the highlights of your career?
Recently I have been involved in large strategic transformation projects for major organisations – significant both in size and from a societal perspective. My work is project based and consists concretely of close stakeholder collaboration, preparing materials and participating in meetings. I have worked in many PMO (Project Management Office) roles, where one of the most important tasks is to keep many threads in hand at the same time and in different directions. The work is therefore very concrete, even though large strategy projects may sound quite “high level”.
The highlights of my career have been impactful projects with societal relevance, building great client relationships and, overall, the continuous learning and development of my own skills. It’s impossible to pick a single highlight!
How did studying at the School of Business prepare you for working life? What advice would you give to someone thinking about their studies?
Strategic Management in a Changing World was an extremely good major. I feel it was an excellent “consulting school” that prepared me for working life, especially in consulting. On our courses I learned a lot about project work, strategy (of course), and about the real challenges companies face in a changing environment.
I believe that during your studies you create the foundation on which it is good to build your later career. As a student you can boldly try different things to find what really suits you. At the same time, I strongly believe that your career will take shape along the way. It’s good to have a direction and do your groundwork well. But don’t plan too much – you only find out by trying, and the most important thing is to be open and brave! Don’t set limits for yourself, dare to jump into the unknown, and above all: believe in yourself. I’m sure that will already take you far.
What are the key qualities and most important work‑life skills for someone working in consulting?
The ability to grasp broad concepts and to absorb information quickly, which naturally requires motivation and the ability to tolerate a fast‑paced environment. However, I would say the most important quality is reliability – both towards the client and inside the organisation. Whatever you promise, make sure you keep it. Trust is the foundation of everything.
The most important work‑life skills are problem‑solving ability, teamwork skills, communication skills, the ability to absorb information and understand how it can be used. In today’s world, skills in handling data or understanding technology are also never a disadvantage. And quite simply, genuinely being a “good person” always has positive effects on your environment.
What are your hopes for your future career?
I look forward to continuously developing my professional skills, learning new areas, building meaningful relationships and doing work that can continue to help build a better society.
