Teneo's Interns on Career Paths and Challenges for Young Women

Created by VERCIDA for Teneo

 

Eleonora Pigoli and Freya Bauman joined Teneo in an all-female cohort of interns, kickstarting their careers in consultancy.

 

Can you tell us about your career paths so far?

Eleonora: Before Teneo, I completed several internships with non-profit organisations, working in the healthcare sector. At Università Bocconi, I studied economics in Italy and then politics and policy analysis at LSE.

Freya: I graduated with an engineering degree from Edinburgh University and worked in the asset management space, which had an element of consulting work. This inspired me to pursue a career in consultancy and apply to the Teneo internship programme. Following the completion of our summer internships in August, Eleonora and I were offered permanent positions which started in September 2022.

 

Eleonora Pigoli

 

What have your first six months with Teneo been like?

Eleonora: Everyone at Teneo has been so welcoming and there are plenty of opportunities to learn and work on different projects. A highlight for me has been seeing the processes behind the decision-making and the knowledge and experience that is involved. We also have the opportunity to be involved in really interesting conversations with people who have 20 or 30 years of experience in their field.

Freya: I’ve worked on a diverse range of projects and had the opportunity to work with really intelligent, experienced people. Everyone has a vested interest in teaching new colleagues and helping with career development and progression. I am eager to take on challenges and feel empowered to take ownership of my contribution to projects, while also feeling supported.

 

Is having that ownership of projects important?

Freya: Definitely. Many graduate consultancy positions are particularly research-based, but at Teneo you are made to feel empowered to share your opinions and contribute to the progression of projects as a key team member.

 

Freya Bauman

 

For people outside the consulting sector, consultancy can seem like a mysterious job. How would you explain it to people who would like to find out more about working for Teneo?

Eleonora: Problem-solving is at the root of what consultants do. But I think the best way to explain consultancy is that a client will approach us with a problem and then we work with our research and data to figure out the best solution. 

Freya: That’s what people really enjoy about the job, it actively challenges you every day to think of new solutions across many different markets, geographies and industries, fostering the development of new skills. We help solve clients’ problems by providing objective perspectives and insights on the issue. 

 

What were the benefits of being part of an all-women cohort of interns?

Freya: I found it really beneficial. You don’t need a degree in a particular subject to start a career in consulting, you are hired based on your analytical skills. It is therefore very daunting to be thrown into a job where you must prove your analytical skills. Being part of a female-only intake programme and knowing that I wasn’t the only woman in the room helped ease the pressure. Having mentors and coaches who are invested in my career progress and project interests also helps immensely. 

Eleonora: Yes, the support made what can be a stressful process a lot less daunting. There are also several Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) at Teneo which foster a sense of belonging and engagement such as the Gender ERG and the Senior Women’s Network. This provides us with the opportunity to reach out to anyone in the firm and seek advice, no matter what level they are, which really drives home the message that everyone is interested in your career journey. 

 

Do you see yourselves having a clear career path with Teneo?

Eleonora: The whole process is very transparent. It is made incredibly clear what your career progression might look like. It is easy to look forward and see where you might be two to five years from now.  At Teneo, you can progress at your own pace.

Freya: It’s a huge positive that people can progress at whatever rate works for them. Everyone is approachable, so you can easily find role models within Teneo and ask them about their careers and progression. It’s a very open and transparent culture.

 

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