Internship Spotlight: Mohammed Lawal Giwah ’25, McKinsey & Co.
Mohammed Giwah ’25 says that core courses from his first year at Yale SOM gave him the analytical and creative skills to succeed in his consulting internship.
We asked rising second-year MBA students to check in from their summer internships, where they applied the lessons of their first year at Yale SOM.
Internship: Summer Associate at McKinsey & Co., Stamford, Connecticut
Hometown: Ilorin, Nigeria
Pronouns: he/him/his
The SOM classes you’re using on the job: Sourcing & Managing Funds, Workforce, State and Society, Managing Groups and Teams
After-work routine: I cook, binge-watch Better Call Saul or House of the Dragon, or simply rest and catch up on sleep.
Favorite thing about internship city: Its proximity to New Haven—I liked that I didn't need to relocate for the summer.
This summer, I worked on two distinct projects for McKinsey. The first project involved the commercial transformation of a pharmaceutical company that aimed to revamp and standardize various functions across global affiliates to enhance efficiency and drive growth. The study was intense and fast-paced, requiring me to travel weekly to work with my team at the client’s site. My workstream involved critical thinking, Excel analysis, and deck building. This provided me with an excellent platform to develop my consulting tool kit from day one.
My second project was an internal study focused on accelerating the career advancement of female senior executives in specific industries to CEO and other C-suite positions. For this project, I primarily worked remotely and did extensive research and creative writing.
I was drawn to intern at McKinsey for several reasons. First and foremost, the firm’s strong mentorship opportunities stood out to me. From the moment I joined, I received an incredible amount of support; the firm ensured I had the guidance and resources I needed to thrive. My leadership sponsor scheduled regular check-ins to discuss my progress and offer advice to help me navigate the challenges I encountered. Additionally, I was paired with a summer buddy, a more tenured associate who offered guidance on various aspects of my work and experience during my internship. McKinsey’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive community was also evident through the support I received from affiliate groups, professional development managers, and my recruiters.
One particularly memorable example of this sense of community was when the managing partner of the Stamford office invited all the summer associates and some partners to his home for dinner. This thoughtful gesture not only highlighted the firm’s dedication to cultivating meaningful connections, but also made me feel a deep sense of belonging.
Another attractive aspect of interning at McKinsey was the opportunity to work alongside highly successful and talented colleagues who consistently inspired and challenged me to grow professionally. Collaborating with such accomplished individuals allowed me to accelerate my personal development and broaden my knowledge in various fields.
Lastly, the firm’s emphasis on exposing new employees to a diverse array of studies across industries and job functions presented an exciting opportunity to expand my skill set and gain a well-rounded understanding of the business world. This exposure granted me the chance to explore my interests and develop valuable expertise in multiple areas, setting me up for long-term success in my career.
This internship provided me with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained from my SOM education in a real-world setting. Consulting demands rapid, innovative solutions to complex problems, requiring a blend of creative thinking and analytical reasoning. During my time at Yale, I have enhanced those skills significantly. Courses such as Modeling Managerial Decisions, Probability & Statistics, Operations Engine, and Decision Making with Data have strengthened my analytical problem-solving capabilities. Concurrently, other classes have helped refine my creative thinking skills. The ability to seamlessly transition between these two skill sets has proven to be an invaluable asset throughout my internship, enabling me to approach challenges holistically and contribute effectively to the team.
During my time at the firm, there were two other summer associates from SOM in my office, and I also met a range of alumni during various firm events. In addition, there was a weekly Yale SOM check-in session facilitated by an SOM alum who is a partner at the firm. These check-ins allowed us to discuss our progress, receive valuable guidance on navigating the firm, and obtain recommendations on industry leaders we could connect with based on our interests.
This internship exposed me to real-world challenges and provided valuable insights into the life of a consultant. One key insight was the significance of hypothesis-driven problem-solving. I learned that starting with a well-defined hypothesis allows for more focused and efficient analysis, helping to uncover solutions faster. Additionally, collaborating closely with leaders was crucial in refining our approach and ensuring that our solutions were both practical and impactful. This experience highlighted how crucial it is to blend rigorous analysis with teamwork to tackle complex problems effectively. Ultimately, my summer at McKinsey has reinforced my passion for consulting and deepened my appreciation for the strategic and collaborative aspects of the field.
