01-05-2025
What does a typical workday look like for a Managing Consultant?
We asked Aafke to walk us through her Monday — one of her regular workdays, filled with variety, meetings, and good company.
“My workdays are pretty diverse, and that’s exactly what I love about the job,” Aafke begins. “Monday is one of my regular days at Student Consultant. Since I work on my thesis on Fridays, there’s often some catching up to do on Monday mornings.”
Starting the day slowly
“I usually begin with a cup of coffee while checking my emails and Teams messages. It’s a nice way to ease into the day, catch up on anything I missed Friday, and get back in the loop.”
Scrum and strategy
Next up are the weekly scrum meetings with the Business Development and Talent Experience teams in Rotterdam.
“I always take time to prepare for those meetings. They help set the direction for the week and make sure everyone is aligned on priorities.”
Breakfast and planning
“Around 10:30, I take a short break to grab some breakfast and go over my planning and to-do list. It helps me structure the rest of the day.”
Strategic check-in
Every Monday also includes a one-hour meeting with the other Managing Consultants.
“We discuss both strategic and operational topics. It’s great to be able to spar with each other and find smarter ways to work.”
Afternoons: projects and people
After lunch, Aafke spends about two hours working on her internal project: setting up the Student Consultant alumni network.
“I really enjoy building something that will have a lasting impact.”
The rest of the afternoon is always different.
“Sometimes I’m staffing new projects or supporting introductory meetings. Other times I’m co-writing a project proposal or having one-on-one chats with consultants on my team.”
Those conversations are especially valuable to her: “Catching up or thinking through a challenge together — that’s also part of being a Managing Consultant.”
Ending the day with a smile
“On Monday evenings, we often have dinner together with colleagues from the hub. Sometimes we end the day with a drink or a fun activity. It’s a great way to wrap up the day.”