Experience the Strategy& Business Course

Study background
I hold a Master’s degree in Strategic Management from Erasmus University Rotterdam, complemented by an exchange semester at ESSEC Business School in Paris. Before that, I completed a double bachelor’s in Business Administration and Tax Law, also at Erasmus. This mix gave me both a strategic lens and a strong analytical foundation — skills I now use every day at Strategy&.

Why the Strategy& Business Course?
After my exchange in Paris, I was sure that strategy consulting was the direction I wanted to pursue. But I also knew that choosing the right firm is about more than just the projects — it’s about the people and the culture. The Strategy& Business Course felt like the ideal way to look beyond the surface. The multiday format allowed me to observe how people interact, ask all my questions, and get a genuine sense of whether Strategy& would be a place where I would feel at home. Spoiler: it was.

How have you personally benefited from the Business Course?
The Business Course was a real gamechanger for me. I met people at all levels of the firm — from Associates to Partners — and had open conversations about their paths, their work, and their daytoday experiences. That level of honesty confirmed what I had hoped: Strategy& has a collaborative, not competitive, culture.

It also gave me a lot of confidence going into the interviews. I knew why Strategy& resonated with me and could clearly articulate that. Feeling that sense of psychological safety made the process far less stressful and much more enjoyable. And when I later joined the firm, seeing familiar faces from the Business Course made the transition feel smooth and natural.

Most memorable moments…
Two moments stand out. The first was walking into Fashion for Good on the very first day. There was a tangible sense of excitement in the room — meeting new people, starting an inspiring case, and feeling the energy build as the week progressed.

The second was the tuktuk tour through Paris. By coincidence, we passed my old home on Avenue de Wagram while Jamie played classic French songs in the background. It was a mix of nostalgia and adventure that made the experience feel truly unique, and it’s something I still look back on fondly.

Study background
I began my academic journey in Groningen, pursuing a bachelor's degree in Economics & Business Economics followed by a master's in Business Administration. Throughout my time in Groningen, I realized that I like to work on economic issues in a broader sense. After wrapping up my studies there, I relocated to Rotterdam to study Health Economics. The fields that captivated my interest during these programs the most match some of the practices that Strategy& focuses on, which motivated me to apply for the business course.

Why the Strategy& business course?
During the final phase of my studies, I was actively exploring the strategy consulting field. As mentioned before, the industries where Strategy& is active intrigued me. I viewed the 2024 Walk the Talk Business Course as a great opportunity to delve deeper into this interest and to determine whether the company's culture would fit me. And honestly, Paris seemed like the perfect backdrop for this experience! I had the best time there and during the Business Course I was able to see how Strategy& works and how the people interact with each other. This information was extremely helpful in making my decision!

Most memorable moment...
Paris was beautiful and the time we had there was a ton of fun but, looking back, I must say that the final days of the Business Course in Amsterdam were the most memorable to me. During the dinner and the club night, we got to meet a large part of the Amsterdam team. Actually being in the office talking to several consultants helped in shaping an idea of what it is like to work at Strategy&. All in all, the business course was an experience where I learned a lot but where I had a great time above all - I would recommend it to anyone interested in strategy consulting.

To conclude, the S& Business Course was a transformative experience that solidified my career choice and provided valuable insights into the firm's culture.