Killian Jampierre, MA’19, Global Studies
PSG Evaluation and Leadership Analyst, Boston Consulting Group
Can you describe your career path and how it has led to your current work?
I received my bachelors in International Studies and Communications with a minor in Islamic World Studies from Fairfield University in 2018. I then joined the Brandeis community and earned my MA in Global Studies with a concentration in Transnational Security and Migration in 2019. Post graduation, with a world of opportunities in front of me, I took a hard look at my background so far. I focused on my research skills and qualitative/quantitative data analysis, without forgetting my experience in organizational communication and corporate strategy. Soon after graduation, I was offered a position in Global Learning and Development at Boston Consulting Group for my academic background that promised a detail oriented mentality, eagerness to apply critical thinking skills, and a willingness to learn. Starting as a coordinator, I grew to crave the opportunity to flex and apply my analytical skills and after about 7 months accepted a role as a data analyst within the firm’s Partner Services Group.
What services and/or resources did you use while at Brandeis for your career search?
While at Brandeis I relied heavily on The Center for Career and Professional Development and professors. I found that having conversations about my desired path with people of numerous backgrounds was helpful in framing what I was looking for. This opened me to other opportunities which I may not have considered previously. It also helped in realizing potential career paths that I may not have been interested in.
What skills from your Brandeis degree have you found most valuable in your current work?
I have found numerous skills I gained from Brandeis to be helpful in my career path so far. The most valuable has probably been the ability to approach situations with an open mind and to troubleshoot. Often I may come across a complex situation that needs solving and remember tactics I learned while at Brandeis to best approach tough circumstances. I value the critical thinking skills I learned at Brandeis which I use every day and created a base for me to succeed in the workplace.
What advice do you have for current students as they embark on their job search?
Keep an open mind and don’t get too preoccupied with finding ‘the perfect job’ right off the bat. You may often hear ‘your career finds you’ which sounds a bit clichéd and not comforting when you are in the process, but it is true. I never would have guessed I would be doing anything remotely close to my current role, but I love it. I would also suggest doing all you can to connect with others to explore your options. It is hard to know what you would like for a career when you are just starting out. Speaking with others in your network helps to potentially weed out paths you were considering but may not be the best fit for you.