Master of Commerce (Extension) student, Yinyan (Calvados) Che shares her experience of Business Consulting Practicum unit BWIL6300.
Yinyan (Calvados) Che
How did you get involved the Business Consulting Practicum?
The Business Consulting Practicum is a structured unit that educates students on the process of design thinking and allows participants to gain practical experience in the field of business consulting. For semester 1 2023, our client was KPMG, one of the big four consulting firms. Their reputation, invaluable networking opportunities, and exceptional mentorship attracted me to apply for this unit.
What was your experience of the program like?
Our team comprising of seven members collaborated extensively both online and offline. We attended weekly workshops on campus where we actively practiced newly acquired design thinking knowledge. Additionally, we organized regular project meetings, once or twice a week, to collectively contribute to the project’s progress.
What were the highlights?
What sets this unit apart is its seamless integration of academic learning and the project timeline, ensuring the knowledge and skills can be immediately applied to practical scenarios. Another major highlight was our visit to KPMG, where we had the opportunity to explore their facilities, including the Innovation Hub, and gain insights into the sustainability concepts driving their design. This experience deepened our understanding of the company’s values and enhanced our connection with its mission.
What were the biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge I encountered was to comprehend and define the scope of the project. Our assigned project topic was on assisting legal professionals in utilising technology and data for ESG purposes. Although the legal and technological fields were unfamiliar domains to the business students, we successfully refined our problem statement and targeted this industry. We achieved this by actively conducting interviews with existing relevant connections and reaching out to new ones within the university alumni networks.
What career skills do you think you developed through the program?
The first one is without a doubt networking. A significant portion of our project relied on insights gleaned from the primary research, including interviews and student focus groups. The second one is effective communication. It was challenging to maintain effective communication amidst 6 other members, each weathering their own assignment storms. We actively fostered an environment of open dialogue and leveraged various communication channels, including WhatsApp and Zoom to stay connected and engaged.
What would you say to future students considering applying for the Business Consulting Practicum?
Embrace the Business Consulting Practicum it is an invaluable opportunity to cultivate practical skills, forge meaningful connections, and propel yourself toward the realm of consulting.
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