“Consistency is the fruit of the tree of success. The more you do something effectively and with a goal in mind, the better you will get at it and the more you will feel fulfilled.”
Dan O’Brien
Apart from hard work, Confidence and Consistency are the two main ingredients of Neha Kotha’s successful recipe. Neha is currently pursuing a Master’s in Health Administration at Columbia University. She worked as an Advisory Intern at KPMG Advisory, Healthcare Solutions.
Read on to know more about her experience at the prestigious program.
Key takeaways from this interview:
- How Neha prepared for the program
- About the application and recruiting process of the program
- Why was Neha selected for this prestigious program
- Her experience of the program so far
- A piece of advice
KPMG Advisory, Healthcare Solutions
KPMG International Cooperative is a multinational professional services network which consists of mainly three divisions of services:
- Financial Audit
- Tax
- Advisory
KPMG Advisory is one of the main lines, which works with the world’s leading organizations to create and protect the sustainable value of their business by incorporating deep industry knowledge to develop innovative, technology-driven solutions to solve our clients’ business challenges and help them grow and achieve financial results.
One of the Advisory practice groups is Consulting, where it allows you to develop strategic and innovative thinking, sharpen and advance your skills especially in technology, finance, operations, supply chain, business intelligence, and human resources.
To know more about various opportunities and internships at the KPMG Advisory, click here.
INTERVIEW
How did you prepare for the program?
Initially, I spent a few months preparing for case interviews with fellow peers. This is an important step for anyone looking to go into consulting. It’s also helpful to find a mentor (ie. professor, faculty) to run through mock interviews with to become comfortable talking about your accomplishments and answer their questions fluently.
How long did it take you to prepare?
About case interview preparation, I spent about 6 weeks diligently working through cases. Although it seems like a long time, you can break it down into just a few hours a week on top of your other obligations. Consistency and Confidence is key.
Tell us about the application and recruiting process.
I submitted my application to KPMG through Columbia University’s recruitment portal. Because I submitted my application early, I heard back about two months later once the interview cycle began. I had one in-person interview with one managing director and one partner where we discussed my qualifications. I was also asked for both general and technical questions.
Why do you think you were selected?
Although my career track has taken me directly from my BSPH to my MHA with no full-time work experience, I have always been very opportunistic and have taken on a range of internships and part-time experiences which have given me a unique skill set to excel in consulting.
Can you describe your experience in this program? Could be your story.
Due to COVID-19, KPMG switched its operations to a virtual experience. To keep employees engaged and connected, they have focused heavily on mentoring and networking events. This has been a great way to become part of the KPMG family through unprecedented times. I have been able to learn about the culture of KPMG, participate in formal training to gain the skills necessary to succeed, and get to know other like-minded peers.
Looking back at your journey, any piece of advice you would like to give?
Before applying to any company, do your research. Make sure you can see yourself working in that environment. Make sure you agree with the company culture. Not only do you not want to waste the company’s time, but you don’t want to waste your own time on something that is not beneficial for you long-term.
Neha in her response has agreed to guide aspirants and thus help them achieve their goals.
Scholarship Track 