our culture

our people: Mike

Mike, Analyst

Why I came to Dean

As an undergrad, I was interested in business but unsure about exactly how to pursue that interest. I started looking into consulting as a way to gain exposure to various kinds of businesses while developing my analytical skills. Dean & Company appealed to me because of its unique combination of practice areas: traditional strategy consulting, private equity advisory services, and energy trading under DC Energy. The opportunity to learn about all of these areas and potentially move between them really intrigued me.

Dean and Company’s small size was also a strong appeal. When I visited the company for a recruiting event, I could immediately tell that there was a collegial atmosphere and level of comfort with senior management that might be absent from a big firm. The intelligence and openness of the Dean community made a very positive impression on me. 

My Experiences at Dean

I’ve spent most of my time at Dean working for a large manufacturing client going through an extensive restructuring effort. As a new analyst, I immediately had a substantial amount of contact with the client while I helped to develop a model that would guide the client’s multi-million dollar re-scaling efforts. I have not had to travel extensively, but I have made several trips to the client site to present my analysis and discuss potential cost saving initiatives. Often I have worked with the client directly without going through my managers. I’ve found that management has given me a lot of responsibility from the very beginning of each problem I work on. This has benefited me by forcing me to develop my own ideas and strengthen my problem solving skills. When I do have questions or need support, my manager and coworkers have always been more than willing to help. I think that my coworkers’ willingness to teach me new computer problems or explain business concepts to me has been one of the most positive aspects of my Dean experience.

My Life in DC

Washington DC is a great city to be in, especially for a recent college graduate. There is never a shortage of things to do. As a runner, I like to explore the different bike and running trails in and around DC. Jogging along the Potomac can provide some great views of the monuments. Additionally, DC has a ton of different sports leagues and clubs to get involved in and meet other people. Some of these activities are sponsored by Dean & Company, like out company kickball and softball teams. On the weekends, I often like to go to one of DC’s great museums, most of which are free. Since I’ve always loved history, I enjoy touring the monuments and federal buildings. On weekend  nights, I try to eat out at one of the city’s great ethnic restaurants. Since DC attracts an international crowd of diplomats and students, there are restaurants serving just about every kind of food.