My Internship Experience at AlixPartners in London
In this article, Federico De Rossi (ESSEC Business School, Master in Strategy and Management of International Business, 2020-2023) shares his professional experience as Business Analyst Intern at AlixPartners.
About the company
AlixPartners is a global consulting firm that offers companies facing complex challenges strategic, operational, and financial advice. They collaborate with companies in a variety of industries, including automotive, consumer goods, healthcare, retail, and technology. The company was founded in 1981 in Detroit, Michigan, and has since expanded to become a global firm with offices in more than 25 countries.
Logo of the AlixPartner.
Source: AlixPartner.
My internship
During my internship at AlixPartners, I worked as a Business Analyst Intern.
My missions
My role was twofolded: on one side I was involved in providing support to consultants all over the globe on various projects and different industries. On the other side, I also worked hand to hand with the firm’s managing director to spot business development opportunities by, for instance, analysing four of the biggest private equity firms in the world and their portfolio companies.
Finally, I was responsible for conducting research and analysis to support project work, preparing presentations and reports for clients, and attending team meetings.
Required skills and knowledge
As an Intern in a global consulting firm, I already had to master some skills that would have been necessary for a successful completion of the internship itself. Obviously, learning agility and curiosity are given qualities that candidates are asked to have: without them, working 10+ hours a day would not be sustainable and would not make the job interesting. On top of those, problem-solving and communication skills are the bread and butter of the industry. Finally, for what concerned hard skills, a good knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite was fundamental.
What I learned
My internship at AlixPartners provided me with a valuable learning experience. It helped me develop a range of skills, including problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills. I also learned the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and time management.
One of the key things that I learned during my internship was the importance of developing a deep understanding of the client’s business. This involved analyzing the client’s financial statements, conducting market research, and understanding their competitive landscape. This understanding helped consulting firms develop customized solutions that are tailored to the client’s specific needs.
Another valuable lesson that I learned was the importance of effective communication. As consultants, we had to present our findings and recommendations to clients in a clear and concise manner. This involved preparing presentations and reports that were easy to understand and conveyed the key messages effectively.
Finally, working in such a high paced environment, with long hours and very demanding challenges, I definitely learnt how to better manage my time and conciliate my personl life with my professional one.
Financial concepts related my internship
When it comes to financial concepts related to the industry, I haven’t been exposed to much if not for when I had to analyze private equity firms such as KKR, Bain Capital, EQT, and others. It was the first time I was working on PEs and the topic revealed itself to be extremely enjoyable. It’s quite interesting to see the deep connection between private equity and consulting.
Why should I be interested in this post?
Overall, my internship at AlixPartners was a fantastic learning opportunity that enabled me to develop a variety of skills that will be useful in my future career. I would strongly recommend AlixPartners to anyone interested in a career in consulting.
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Useful resources
About the author
The article was written in March 2022 by Federico De Rossi (ESSEC Business School, Master in Strategy and Management of International Business, 2020-2023).