ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
project and the MBA did the opposite; it gave me experience of
working in a diverse team to tackle business challenges. Hult’s
international focus and the international diversity was a real benefit
when making my career change.
At Deloitte Luxembourg out of the 1,550 people working
there, 60 different nationalities are represented. Hult is also similar,
with many different nationalities represented in the student body.
My time at Hult made me way more competent at tackling real projects in the real world. Team interaction also applies to my current
job. I am better able to understand how people of different cultures
react and interact. My time at Hult has given me a strong basis to
face the future.
Which lessons from your previous work as a Major in the
Swiss Armed Forces do you apply in your current role?
The army asks you to make big commitments, be resourceful,
and make decisions even when you have incomplete information.
This is the same in my job today—I have to try and help people on
the basis of the information I have at my disposal. My employer
likes the initiative I show by coming up with solutions to difficult
challenges.
What advice would you offer someone looking to move into
consulting?
My advice would be that you need to be able to accept frustration
and that you might have to change status and go down a few positions. You have to accept that there’ll be a lot you don’t know and
that entering a completely new industry is accompanied by new
challenges and issues. Flexibility is very important and you need
to accept that you have to get your hands dirty and get stuck in
whatever the task. Changing industry is not easy but it is possible,
and you will enjoy it.
More about Dr. Damien Dandelot
• Born and raised in Switzerland
• Started his career in the Swiss Armed Forces where he
rose from the rank of Grenadier to Major
• Completed a PhD on Foresight, Strategy & Organizational
Behavior
• Completed his MBA at Hult Shanghai, rotating to Dubai
and graduating with Highest Honor
• Currently a Senior Consultant at Deloitte Luxembourg.
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