Final Semester V

Last Thursday I spent my first night in a hotel in Zurich. I was offered a room at the Hotel du Théâtre, which is located at the Central, right below the ETH. The location couldn't actually have been better, because it was only a short walk to the Club zum Rennweg and the bus stop to the offices was right at the corner. Funny enough the receptionist asked if I needed a map of Zurich which I smilingly negated. At the Club zum Rennweg we were welcomed by two partner of Roland Berger Strategy Consultants and we could use the evening to network and get to know each other. I had some really good talks there and I also enjoyed the delicious food, which was served all night long. Most of the participants were from HSG, thus having an economic background. As I got to know a girl that also had a room in the same hotel, we left at 11PM and walked back along the Limmat. The next morning I dressed in suit and tie and went down to the lobby where breakfast was served. At the offices of Roland Berger, located in a beautiful building at Neumünsterallee, we got croissant and offee and an introduction in the workshop. The participants were divided into four teams and then the teams had to individually develop solutions to combat obesity. We then had to hold a presentation in front of the management team and one group won a first price. Unfortunately not my team, but still the event was really worth it and I gained an insight into the consulting business. As consultant you have pretty long working days, but you also get a good salary, actually one of the best, as you can see on the newest salary statistics published by the Bundesamt für Statistik. An interesting article about the most famous management consulting firm McKinsey was published in the NZZ Folio some years ago. Take a look at it, if you're keen in the topic.

Now, I applied also for two other workshops held by management consulting firms. The next one is on November, 26 at the Radisson Blu Hotel at Zurich Airport. It's a workshop about the wine market and organised by Monitor, a firm founded by Michael E. Porter, a famous economist at Harvard University. The other event is in Zurich with Booz & Company, but there I don't know yet if they accept me. Though, I hope so.

Last Friday I also had kind of a reunion with my ex-class from secundary school. We were invited to a Fondue dinner and livened up old memories! And I went to eat lunch with a friend at the canteen at University of Zurich, a place I haven't visited for ages, even though the crowd there is, in my eyes, better then that at ETH.

Yesterday I gave my comeback in sprint! And my coach meant that I was in really good shape! Indeed, I was surprised how fast I was, but now I have kind of a compulsory break, because I severely pulled my hamstring! I barely can walk and my coach had to drive me home in the car, as I couldn't get on my bike anymore...