From Oxford to Illuminate Consulting to Internship Host: An Alumnus Story
While a little while ago by now, my postgraduate studies at Oxford continue to inform Illuminate Consulting Group’s (ICG) current analytical approach. Oxford was my last step during my academic journey that ranged from Bonn to Harvard to ultimately Berkeley. After graduating with a D.Phil. and publishing my research, I joined the Boston Consulting Group and eventually SAP in Silicon Valley. I founded ICG twenty-one years ago because I wanted to remain connected to the academic world while using the strategy consulting, project management, and data analysis skills I had learned.
My experience of working with the Internship Office
ICG has recruited interns from Oxford for more than a decade, initially by posting positions and searching on alumni platforms. It in recent years, ICG participated in the Career Service’s Summer Internship Programme which maps well to our research and analysis-centered summer internships. The support from Career Service staff has been excellent, and the CareerConnect internship platform has been helpful with regard to sharing information about our company and requirements.
What we like about working with Oxford students
ICG is home to multiple Oxford and Cambridge alumni. We enjoy the creativity and problem-solving capabilities of Oxford students in addition to their global perspectives.
Tips for students applying for ICG internships
First, ask yourself a simple question: Are you interested in working on scientific performance related research and analysis at a scale and depth you very likely have not done before? Second, do you enjoy working in a globally dispersed team, closely collaborating with others? Third, do you want a consulting experience which centers on being focused, meticulous, and productive? Bonus question – would you want to visit ICG clients from Australia to Sweden?
Advice for other organisations thinking about offering internships to Oxford students
Oxford students are capable and discerning. To facilitate an internship experience which works for both a host company and an intern, it tends to be helpful to be specific with regard to the position’s required skills, responsibilities, as well as expectations. In line with a good number of other current university students, many Oxford students lost out on two years of in-person experiences during the pandemic. Extra care thus should be taken on communicating regarding office and inter-personal dynamics.
About Illuminate Consulting Group
For more information about ICG, visit their website at www.illuminategroup.com, check out the organisation profile on CareerConnect, and follow them on LinkedIn.
Daniel Guhr, St John's College, 1993-97
The Oxford University Internship Office and Illuminate Consulting Group
The Internship Office has been working with Illuminate Consulting Group since 2021. They have offered 8 exclusive internships to Oxford University students through the Summer Internship Programme, with 4 of them taking place this year.
Offer internships
If your organisation is interested in offering internships to University of Oxford students, find out more on how to participate in our internship programmes.
