Senior hones strengths from Jayhawk Consulting
Marissa Moreland combines internship experience with new abilities for consulting clients
Marissa Moreland, a senior finance and political science major, is finding valuable experience through the School of Business. As part of Jayhawk Consulting this semester and a teacher’s assistant for SCM 310: Management Science and Operations Management, she has seen how operations work inside and outside the classroom.
Jayhawk Consulting gives a group of students a chance each semester to work with real clients as they provide advising and consulting services while collaborating in a cohort.
As she began developing her post-college aspirations, Moreland became interested in working in consulting. She worked in mergers and acquisitions with a firm in Overland Park, Kansas, which affirmed her goal of a future financial analyst position.
After previously interning the summer before her senior year in her native Denver, Colorado, at Charles Schwab in the financial services area, she gained new skills that left her prepared for consulting. Her role as a client services and support intern taught her the importance of client communication that she would carry into Jayhawk Consulting.
The program is not without its challenges. Moreland has been able to gain experience in marketing and human resources, areas she has previously not had experience in.
“Communications with clients is key; we need to listen for their concerns and build a roadmap to help them achieve their goals,” Moreland said. “As a finance major, I hadn’t had much exposure to the relational part of consulting, which is essential for this position.”
For Moreland, growing her communication skills, learning to work within various team dynamics, receiving mentorship and honing commitment and drive through Jayhawk Consulting have been instrumental as she prepares to graduate.
“These skills will be highly useful for future full-time jobs,” she said. “Besides skills in consulting, the program will also engage students in networking with peers, mentors and even employers, which is a huge resource. I highly recommend Jayhawk Consulting for those wanting real-world consulting experiences.”
Jayhawk Consulting helps clients grow through data analysis and project development and offers KU students experiential learning by working for real clients. Students provide advising and consulting services to clients from the Lawrence community and region. Learn more at business.ku.edu/Jayhawk-Consulting.
By Magali Paredes
