Consulting Through a Virtual Lens: Lina Kim

I applied to the Foster Consulting Program since I was interested in consulting. I wanted to have an experience where I could learn more about consulting and decide whether it was the right fit for me while also producing work that could benefit others and the community. Needless to say, I was very excited when I got accepted into the program. I had the opportunity to achieve these goals.

When I started the project and met the student consultants, project manager, advisors, and client I would be working with, I was excited and nervous at the same time. It was my first time in consulting, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was unsure with how our team would be able to collaborate well with everything being virtual. However, any uncertainties went away as I worked more with my amazing team. My project manager was very helpful in giving us guidance and advice, as many of us were new to this program, and it made settling into the position easier. My teammates and I worked eagerly on this project and helped each other out.

While working with the client and on research, I learned many things. I learned useful skills such as how to communicate with clients and what questions to ask to help them with their goals, preparing deliverables, analyzing problems. On each part of the project, I got invaluable advice from my project manager and advisors that helped to give me a different perspective and improve my work.

Even with everything being virtual, our team was able to work with it and make the best of it. We found innovative ways to work together on each part of the process, like utilizing social media to chat with each other. I learned more about working on a team completely virtually. Our Zoom meetings with the client went smoothly and we took the opportunity to utilize Zoom calls to work together efficiently, meeting before and after client meeting and throughout the week.

Overall, I’m really glad to have been a part of the Foster Consulting Program. It’s been a great experience for me to learn about consulting. I’m grateful for the wonderful team that I was a part of and doing this program has given me a lot of insight on what I would like to do in my career.

–  Stephanie Ispas, Freshman, 2024