Member Spotlight — Team Lead: Anchita Suri
Meet Anchita Suri:
Anchita is currently a third year AFM student at the University of Waterloo and has been with 180 Degrees Consulting for two terms. She initially joined 180 Degrees Consulting because she wanted to explore consulting and has always been passionate about working with non-profit organizations. During her free time, she enjoys baking and trying to figure out the ukulele chords to La Vie en Rose.
In this interview spotlight, we asked Anchita about her experience as a team lead and how her 180 Degrees Consulting journey has been so far.
As a Consulting Team Lead at 180 Degrees Consulting Waterloo, what are some of your responsibilities?
As a team lead at 180 Degrees Consulting Waterloo, my responsibilities primarily involve working closely with the client to understand their project needs and collaborating with a team of consultants to come up with a plan of action. Over the term, I spend much of my time developing strategy and guiding consultants through an iterative process.
What are some notable highlights during your time with us?
A notable highlight would be seeing the solutions we suggest being implemented by the client. Through 180 you truly get to have hands-on experience and see the impact your months of research and preparation can have. Our team recently completed the midterm presentation, and it was heart-warming to receive positive feedback.
What do you think are the most important skills for success in your role?
The three most important skills would be empathy, communication, and critical thinking. In order to grasp the client’s needs, it's crucial to imagine yourself in their place and communicate accordingly to further solidify your understanding. Critical thinking is of course key, as you have to consider various stakeholders and other factors when suggesting a recommendation.
What are some skills you were able to improve upon since joining?
Since joining, I have been able to improve my ability to ask more meaningful questions. As a team lead especially, you work with the client on an ongoing basis to understand any changing project requirements, extract the necessary information, and formulate a relevant recommendation.
What advice would you have for those who are looking to join 180 Degrees Consulting Waterloo in the future?
Apply, apply, apply! The branch is always growing and has numerous opportunities for students, whether it be in consulting, marketing, HR or so much more. 180 is a community of people from diverse backgrounds, who share a common goal of making a positive social impact. If that is something that resonates with you, then definitely apply. I have not only gained valuable experience in the field of consulting but also a more nuanced understanding of how non-profits operate and the ways in which you can make social change.
180 Degrees Consulting Waterloo is a branch of one of the largest university-based consultancy organizations in the world. We offer affordable consulting services to not-for-profit organizations and social enterprises. The Waterloo branch has consultants from University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University.
For more information, check out our website here.
