[:de][:de][:de][:de]In this blog series, we are pleased to introduce you to talented individuals who have found their ideal career entry in KI.M directly after graduating.
What exactly does a career start in the consulting world look like? Simply jump in at the deep end and grow from project to project? We answer this question at KI.M with an 18-month starter program for a agile and structured career entry at eye level.
The focus is on…
…the development of broad expertise in all service areas and responsibility for diverse consulting projects,
…empowerment and personal responsibility for one’s own development,
…a curricular orientation regarding one’s own learning progress,
…as well as a strong feedback and error culture through regular mentoring, reflection and exchange with colleagues.
Svenja Göke has been on board since spring of last year. In this blog post, she not only introduces herself, but also reflects on her first "halfway point" in the starter program after more than nine months as a consultant at KI.M.
Tell us more about yourself – Who are you?
My name is Svenja Göke, a consultant at KI.M. With my birthday on November 11th and my love for the fifth season, it was certainly no coincidence that I would sooner or later end up in beautiful Cologne. I previously studied psychology in Bielefeld, Münster, and Tilburg. Due to my passion for a wide range of psychological topics, I initially structured my studies broadly, ultimately focusing on clinical psychology, as well as personnel and business psychology.
After completing several internships in the latter field and devoting my master's thesis to a business psychology topic related to female leadership, I quickly knew that my path would lead me into consulting. Since June 2021, I have been supporting KI.M across all service areas, allowing me to focus on specific areas based on my interests and strengths.
Mind, heart or courage – which component of KI.M consulting appeals to you most and why?
For me, it's courage. Especially when starting out in my career, I feel it's important to try new things and step out of my comfort zone. Likewise, you should be brave enough to make mistakes (FAIL stands for "First Attempt In Learning"). In my opinion, this is the best way to grow, coupled with regular self-reflection and sharing experiences with experienced colleagues.
Your first 9 months as a consultant – what experiences have you had?
The experiences are so diverse that I could probably fill several blog posts with them 😀 My current week, for example, is a colorful mix. I'm planning a training course, running an orientation center, and supporting the development of a competency model. There's no chance of getting bored!
What moments have inspired you most in your consulting work so far?
What inspires me most every day are the individual feedback sessions. After an exciting assessment center, seeing how people compare their self-image with how others perceive them and recognize parallels, but also completely rediscover themselves and value the feedback as an important developmental step, fascinates me anew with each participant. It's wonderful to see strengths recognized in these moments and people finding the courage to develop and thus have a positive influence on others.
How do you feel about starting your career as a consultant with the help of the Starter Program?
Starting my career through the Starter Program is a real development booster. A good mix of broad topics and individual focus, as well as regular group reflections, gives me the opportunity to grow at my own pace and experience how challenges become strengths. Of course, the team also plays a key role. I'm very grateful for the trusting atmosphere that encourages growth and development (or as psychologists would say: I'm grateful for the psychological safety 😉).
[:][:][:][:]
English 
German 