What makes you proudest about working for Accenture?

I think the team spirit that we have is what I like most. Our culture is truly a “work hard, play hard ” culture. The client is number one, and you have to deliver results, but it ’s the team that gets it done for the client —I like that spirit here.

What would students find most surprising about working for Accenture?

What I think would surprise them is that even though you are working hard, you really have a thirst for it. The pace of what we do is fast, and with that pace comes a lot of variety. I would characterize us as an A-to-Z consulting company. We ’ll set the strategy for the client, do the plan, help them execute the plan, and then be around to help them achieve the results.

How does being an A-to-Z consulting company develop young employees?

I think you grow up very fast. We hire people with skills that allow them to get into an environment where you typically wouldn’t find people at such a young age. In our company, you own an entire process —it challenges you to have a lot of capabilities at a very young age.

It sounds like new hires have a lot of responsibility early. How do you help them be successful?

Our support network is very good. We have one of the best training programs that allows a person with an undergraduate degree to matriculate into being a consultant. We have a pyramid training structure so that ever y entry-level person works for someone senior who can teach them how to do what they do.

Describe your company ’s diversity initiative. What are your goals in this area?

Our goal is to retain, advance, and promote more diverse population. First, we have an Americas Diversity Committee made up of leadership partners and associate partners in our company who provide the strategy, direction, and vision for our diversity program. We have a tremendous internal diversity-training program called “Diversity Principles ” that makes everyone in our firm more aware of the challenges that people face ever y day; the second wave of training teaches you how to modify behavior when you see people acting in a “nondiverse ” way. This complete program is run across all of our 27 local offices, and attendance is strongly encouraged. We also have mentoring programs for diverse groups in our firm. We recognize that in many cases you need somebody to talk to you about the firm, about how to be successful.

What would you identify as the greatest challenges facing minority students entering corporate America?

Unfortunately, you ’ve got to have a lot of stamina, perseverance, and sort of a will to overcome as a diverse person in corporate America. “Minority means exactly that, and you have to have perspective on the situation that you are in. And what you are in is a world where people may not know your culture and your background, [or] who you are or the issues you face. It is up to you to give them your perspective —and when they understand who you are, then you ’ve got a chance. 

What does the future look like for Accenture?

Being a partner and a shareholder, it better be bright [laughs]. I think as companies start coming out of the recession there will be a lot of opportunities for us to help them improve and reach their vision. I think our leadership has done a good job of helping us stay lean and mean so that when the good times come back, we can help our clients be successful.