Meet the Interns: A Look Into Sendero’s Management Consulting Summer Internship

How are Sendero project teams typically structured, and what is your role on those teams as a management consulting intern?

Clare: “The project team that I have been on this summer is a smaller team that is structured with a Senior Manager and an Analyst, both of whom are project managers. My role has been to assist as a project manager. I provided weekly and monthly updates to stakeholders, helped lead daily checkpoint meetings, and assisted with daily tasks.”

Cassidy: “Sendero project teams are typically structured based on what the client needs. I was on the OCM (Organizational Change Management) team at my client and there were several projects that intertwined so I had the unique opportunity to help in several areas as an OCM Analyst.”

Meryl: “As a management consulting intern, I work to aid my supervisor with the tasks she needed assistance on. My supervisor is a project manager, so I have been exposed to a lot of tasks surrounding project management, such as helping to consolidate and report the status of UAT, helping to track team action items, leading our daily standup meetings, and helping to prepare for the next training phase.”

What internal projects or initiatives have you worked on?

Cassidy: “I was on the QPC (Quarterly Planning Committee) where I aided in planning Sendero’s Q3 meeting!”

Michael: “I was on the Wellness Committee, where I helped to coordinate physical and mental health initiatives, ordered employee appreciation gifts, designed t-shirts, and much more.”

Maxey: “I was on the Salt Committee, which aims to keep a pulse on Sendero’s culture and strengthen employee connection to our vision, mission, and core values. My specific job in the committee was to work with Jeana Wilson (Associate) to revamp the “Yogurt Book” email and send it to Senderoans who had just hit their one-year anniversary at the company. Salt Committee meetings were the highlight of my Fridays!”

What is the biggest thing you’ve learned during your internship experience?

Clare: “In order to grow and learn you must step outside of your comfort zone. I have gained more confidence this summer in things I once was timid to do, such as leading meetings or speaking up in important meetings.”

Alex: “Patience is a virtue that is necessary in this business. My supervisor is one of the most patient people I have witnessed when being put in situations either with challenging circumstances or people. In every case, the outcome was eventually smooth and well worth being patient for.”

Michael: “It’s important to ask questions early. You can easily save yourself hours of extra work by simply asking the right questions early on.”

Maxey: “Understand your audience and how your intentions are being communicated. In a virtual environment, it can sometimes be difficult to know who you are conversing with or how they best absorb communications. However, all healthy connections must begin with communication. Focusing on the foundation is important so that it can continue to grow from there.”

How was your experience building relationships remotely?

Cassidy: “Working remotely is not easy by any means, but the number of Senderoans that reached out to me throughout my internship surprised me and made me feel less like I was working from home and more like I was really just a call away. I got to know other Senderoans through virtual lunches, coffee chats, and even quick hellos. While it was different than running into someone over a La Croix, it positively impacted my every day.”

Alex: “Thankfully, the culture at Sendero is so well demonstrated in all employees that it is quite easy to become close with co-workers. Whether it be in-person or virtual, kindness and true understanding of others radiates beyond any potential barriers.”

Maxey: “Building remote relationships was way easier than expected, especially because every single person I met – both at Sendero and at my client – was extremely intentional in creating connections. I had a great time meeting people from all corners of the nation in this virtual environment, but I cannot wait to get back in person – you can’t beat the real deal!”

What advice would you give to other students considering an internship in management consulting?

Clare: “Come in with an open mind, and be ready for whatever the internship will throw at you. Being flexible is a great asset in management consulting because things can change at a moments notice and you have to be prepared to run with the challenges. I would also advise other students to reach out and build relationships with as many people as you can. Especially, here at Sendero, people are always willing to chat and are so kind.”

Michael: “I’d advise them to be willing to learn. Nobody knows a ton coming in, so learning as fast as possible is the best way to be successful.”

Meryl: “It’s a great place to begin a career because consulting will train you to understand business in a way that creates a solid foundation for any long-term career. Whether or not you decide to stay in consulting, it is a wonderful place to begin.”

What has been your favorite part or favorite memory of the internship experience?

Alex: “Getting to know the other interns and doing activities with them. We are so like-minded that they feel like friends I would have picked for myself had I not known them before.”

Michael: “Grabbing lunch with everyone at the office the day that we got to go in person. It showed how much the full-time employees cared about us.”

Maxey: “Being introduced to both the Sendero culture and the culture of the client as well. Both ends of the spectrum were incredibly interesting to temporarily step into.”

Of course, we couldn’t wrap up our conversations without a few fun questions…

What is one new skill you would like to acquire?

Clare: “I want to be better at roller skating so that I can skate around my neighborhood in College Station.”

Maxey: “One of my favorite pastimes is to cook and try out new recipes/ingredients, but my knife skills are mediocre at best. I want to hone in on these cutting techniques and impress anyone that walks into my kitchen.”

What is your favorite hobby to do outside of work?

Michael: “I love trying new foods!”

Meryl: “Outside of work, I’m a film producer. My first feature film will premiere in December 2021, and you can watch our Sneak Peek video now on our Instagram TV page @thebetterpartfilm.”

What is a secret talent that not a lot of people know about?

Cassidy: “I know how this sounds, but I listen to audiobooks at twice the speed so I can read more books!”

Alex: “I am very good with directions and can typically get somewhere without help after having gone there just once (even across states).”

Interested in career opportunities at Sendero? Visit our Careers page.