How I Got There: Elizabeth Hasfal, College of Arts & Sciences | Associate at L.E.K. Consulting

Posted in Student & Alumni Stories

Elizabeth Hasfal graduated from Georgetown University’s College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) with a major in American Studies and minor in French. During this interview, Elizabeth shares about her Georgetown career experiences that led to her current position as an Associate at L.E.K. Consulting. Learn how Georgetown shaped her path, how she got to her current position, and more insights about breaking into the consulting industry.

What did you study in your time at Georgetown? And can you walk through the process of how you got to your current position?

I was an American Studies major at Georgetown, which was such a supportive community and ‘home base’ for me on campus. Through American Studies, I was introduced to the George F. Baker Scholars program for students in the College with an interest in the intersection of business and social change. A few of my mentors in Baker Scholars worked in consulting, which piqued my interest in the industry. Baker Scholars, American Studies, and broader Georgetown alumni network were all great resources as I set up coffee chats to learn more about internship opportunities. I applied to L.E.K.’s summer internship program during my Junior Fall and accepted a return offer for full-time after a great summer.

What activities/extracurriculars at Georgetown did you find most valuable and why?

I was involved in Georgetown’s Student Advocacy Office (SAO) for all four years and met some of my best friends. I enjoyed helping my peers navigate what can be a very difficult and confusing disciplinary process, and it was rewarding to advocate for more equitable policies on campus. One of the most valuable things I learned was how to respectfully and effectively communicate with university administrators even when we did not agree.

I also worked at Hilltoss for four years as a barista, which was the most fun part of my week. I loved making coffee and avocado toast for friends, professors, and visitors. Meeting new people every day was so energizing!

What does a typical day look like for you?

On my way to the office in the morning I try to read on the train. I like to read AIRMAIL, which is a newsletter with a healthy mix of politics, pop culture, economics and interior design. I love feeling like I learned something new at the beginning of the day. Once I get to the office, I usually have a few calls on my calendar as well as primary / secondary research tasks. I like making a checklist of what I have to do throughout the day, but it usually changes as the day goes on. After working for a few hours I’ll take a walk or eat lunch outside, then get back to work until dinner time. I like leaving the office to grab dinner and then log back on from home. Sometimes I can squeeze in a quick dinner with friends or watch a few episodes of something on HBO before calling it a night!

What surprised you most when you started working in your current position?

I was surprised at how many opportunities there are for first year associates to work directly with senior-level members of the team, including Managers and Managing Directors. I appreciate having the opportunity to learn directly from such experienced and knowledgeable members of my team.

What skills are most needed in your current role?

For a first year associate or A1, qualitative analysis skills are very important. I spend most of my day conducing research, synthesizing my findings and presenting the information to my team in a concise and impactful way. It’s important to be able to connect this research to the quantitative goals of the case as well, especially for more tenured associates.

What is your advice to students interested in applying for a position at your organization?

Talk to as many people as you can, and don’t be afraid to reach out to someone you’ve never met. The Georgetown alumni network is incredibly strong, and I’ve never met a Hoya who didn’t have help from someone a few years older. We are all happy to pass it on to current students.

What are the best ways for students to learn more about the industry?

Coffee chats and information sessions are the most helpful ways I learned about the industry. I wasn’t involved in consulting clubs on campus, but I learned so much from talking to people who were recent graduates and first or second year associates in consulting.

Any additional career development advice or other information that you’d like to add?

Wherever you land for your first job, always keep an open mind and remember that life is long! It’s ok to change your mind or try something completely different from your last role. Also, you are interviewing companies just as much as they are interviewing you. It makes such a difference to work in an environment where people are genuinely kind and excited about the work that they do.