Theo Gaillard, halfway through his first year at L.E.K. Consulting in Paris after an internship, reflects on his journey and experiences with the firm. Here, he shares how he arrived at L.E.K., the progress he's made, and why the people at L.E.K. are the best part of his experience.
Where I Began My L.E.K. Journey
I grew up in Paris, and after lycée (the U.S. high school equivalent), I entered what we call a "classe préparatoire," which is two years of preparation before entering business school. I went to EM Lyon Business School in Lyon, where we were required to complete several internships. One of my internships was at L.E.K. in January 2022 for six months. I chose L.E.K. because I knew a few people in private equity and other consulting firms who highly recommended it for its expertise and knowledge.
My experience as an intern at L.E.K. was challenging but very interesting. I worked on about five projects in various industries, ranging from due diligence to strategic planning. The people were very supportive, taking the time to teach and advise me, which I felt really helped my professional growth.
Why I Decided to Come Back to L.E.K. Full-Time
After the internship, they offered me a full-time position. Given the great experience I had as an intern and the supportive environment, I was excited to join L.E.K. full-time. Although it took some time before I could return since my internship was in the middle of my studies, I had about seven more months of school left. During this period, I stayed in touch with the team, who were pleased with my internship performance. When we reconnected after my studies, it was a fantastic opportunity because I had great memories of working there and knew the people well. The familiarity made for an easy transition.
The main reasons I decided to return to L.E.K. were the people and the chance to work on various subjects, with cases changing every three to six weeks, making it an exciting job.
How It's Going
I've been here full-time for seven months now, and it's going great. Beyond my mentor, who L.E.K. assigns on your first day, I appreciate being able to ask questions of everyone at various levels, who are always willing to share their experiences, tips, advice, and support. The Paris office has a very strong community; we have activities like the Beer Trolley every Friday to bond and unwind at the end of the week, and various events and outings. I like how the Paris social committee and Employee Resource Groups plan a lot of events throughout the year. We recently had a fun Women@LEK event in the office.
The work is definitely challenging but also very interesting. I enjoy being a generalist and have had the opportunity to work on different types of projects in various industries, including cosmetics, entertainment, and even industrial sectors. This diversity keeps the work exciting and constantly engaging. I'll admit, the hours can be tough as an associate. To destress, I enjoy riding my bike around Paris, especially when the weather is nice. Spending time with friends and cooking during my free time also helps me disconnect and recharge.
What I Look Forward To
I want to continue at L.E.K. because it offers the opportunity to discover companies, jobs, subjects, and industries that are not necessarily familiar. You also have the opportunity to interact with many other people, which might shift your professional expectations. I want to learn as much as possible in the coming years. I think L.E.K. definitely has the keys and resources to help me develop my knowledge and competence, and I'm excited about the opportunities it will bring.
Additionally, I'm thrilled at the prospect of moving up alongside my colleagues. I've seen people in our office, who started at the same time and who have been friends for years, get promoted together, and I aspire to have that same experience.