Networks support new start.

Shortly after my graduation and passing the bar exam, I joined the law firm Bär und Karrer in Zurich. Although I really enjoyed working there, I moved to the United States in 2015 for personal reasons (my husband is originally from New York). This was a new start with its own challenges: I wasn’t able to start work in the US straightaway and first had to wait for my Green Card, and thus my work permit, for over a year. When I finally received my Green Card, I initially took a job at the Swiss General Consulate in New York.

During this time, I started to build my professional network here in New York, as applying for jobs in the US works completely differently than in Switzerland. Whereas in Switzerland, a good application usually leads to an interview, recommendations from a personal network are practically a must-have in the US. People often leverage their alumni network from their university, their alma mater. As a Swiss person with a mentality focused on modesty, I found it hard to sing my own praises at first. But you don’t get far in New York without excessive self-promotion! When job hunting, you are looking to be introduced to and recommended by decision-makers or members of the management of the target company by demonstrating your professional experience and skills. A recommendation by a member of senior management will increase your chances significantly. After a few attempts, this worked out quite well and quickly, fortunately, and I joined PA Consulting. PA Consulting is a global consultancy headquartered in London that focuses on strategy, technology and innovation.

The company supports clients in a wide range of areas, including mergers and acquisitions, analytics, IT development and also sustainability. This is the field I focus on as a consultant. Companies in the US still have a long way to go. In Europe, companies are much further ahead in this respect, while a mindset change in the US still needs to happen. However, this provides us with plenty of relevant work. I enjoy my work tremendously, as it allows me to combine my interest in corporate strategy and operations with my personal passion for sustainability. Being able to contribute my own knowledge and expertise in order to find solutions is hugely satisfying and inspiring.