This week, we are proud to share Brittney Effner’s story.

Brittney graduated from SMU in 2018 with a degree in public relations and strategic communication. She joined Sendero as an Experienced Associate a little over a year ago and has since been involved with the safety department at a utility client creating training materials and functioning as project manager for a training implementation project. She also served as the social sub-lead on the Quarterly Planning Committee

We sat down with Brittney to learn what it means to be an Analyst at Sendero.

What stands out to you about Sendero?

The culture is what initially attracted me to Sendero. Now that I am an employee, the thing that stands out the most is the commitment to retaining and promoting that culture. I see it in the recruiting process and in interactions with my colleagues – Sendero is invested in promoting the values they align with and as a result the attitude and demeanor of all Sendero employees make them a joy to work with.

What was your first project role at Sendero like? What were some of your responsibilities?

My first project at Sendero was with a utility client assisting with implementing new safety procedures. My responsibilities centered on managing the internal subject matter experts, creating a project timeline, developing training materials, and determining how to disseminate the necessary information to the personnel affected by the updated safety procedures.

What new management consulting skills have you learned in your first year of management consulting?

In my first year as a management consultant, I learned a lot about adaptability. I was new to the field, new to the project, and new to the client culture. Learning how to quickly adapt to the client’s culture and understand their needs for this project helped me develop a relationship with my stakeholders that led to a more productive working relationship.

If you could tell yourself in college one piece of advice, what would it be?

I would remind myself that learning does not stop when you leave the classroom. Obtaining a degree in college is incredibly important, but the growth and knowledge I have obtained working in the real world have been just as, if not more, impactful. Graduating does not mean your employer expects you to understand everything on your first day; ask questions, take notes, and be open to everything your peers are willing to teach you!

Tell us about any internal roles (community rocks, committees) that you’ve been involved in that stand out to you.

In my role as the social sub-lead for the Quarterly Planning Committee, I planned a virtual mixology class with a local Dallas bar that had recently reopened following the lockdown. As a local business, they were appreciative of Sendero’s patronage and their excitement to be back with clients was evident. It really stood out to me how important it is to support local businesses during this time and watching our colleagues attempt to make complex recipes was so fun!

Who would you most like to swap places with for a day?

If I could swap places with anyone for a day it would have to be Guy Fieri during a taping of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. I grew up watching that show and have driven out of my way just to eat at one of the featured restaurants. If you ask me, Mr. Fieri is living the dream life by driving around the country and eating all day.

What is your idea of a perfect day?

I love nothing more than scouring old cookbooks and blogs for recipes and spending the day cooking for my family and friends. Drop me anywhere near a lake with a dog nearby and a spatula (or glass of wine) in hand, and that is the definition of a perfect day.