Interview Daan van Spengler – Strategy Analyst at Accenture

Reading time: 4 minutes

If you’re curious about the life of a Strategy Analyst, look no further. We sat down with a group of entry-level consultants to give you an inside look into working at top firms like &samhoud, Accenture, and Roland Berger.

Today, we’re featuring Daan van Spengler, a Strategy Analyst at Accenture. Read his perspective on the world of consultancy, gain insights into his work experiences, and what makes the job exciting to Daan.

What is your full name, role at Accenture and how long have you been working here?

My name is Daan van Spengler. I have worked as a strategy analyst at Accenture for one year and two months.

What did you do before starting at Accenture?

Before starting at Accenture I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in Science & Business Management, both from Utrecht University.

During my Master’s, I did two internships. The first one was in a laboratory at an Academic Hospital, where I had the opportunity to conduct research on COVID-19. The second one was at a pharmaceutical start-up, where I searched for interesting growth opportunities.

How are you experiencing your role so far?

What I enjoy most about my current role is the opportunity to work with a variety of clients and industries. For example, over the last year, I have worked for a bank and a candy company. Although the core of the work remains the same, that is what appealed to me from the beginning – getting the chance to work on complex problems to find solutions.

A great factor in my role is the opportunity to work with a team. I spend most of my days working with several people from different backgrounds. Not only do I learn a lot from them, but I find that we get to know each other well and become friends over the course of a project.

What is your experience in working for Accenture?

The people and working culture are, in my opinion, the best part of my job at Accenture. I enjoy working at our office to see my colleagues, many of whom I now consider as friends. From my first day, I felt included here, whether it’s having lunch or a quick coffee with my colleagues.

What is unique at Accenture, in my opinion, is the openness and friendly atmosphere which extends throughout the organization. I have never felt that I had to stay silent when talking to more senior management, for instance. Perfect examples of this openness include the weekly drinks, yearly parties, and recent ski trip, where I had the chance to meet and catch-up with everybody.

What would you have wanted to know before you started working in your role?

Before starting at Accenture, I would have liked to gain more experience in strategy consulting, either through business courses or an internship at a consulting firm. This would have provided me with more clarity on what to expect when I began over a year ago. During the last year, I have spoken with several students interested in Accenture, and I can only encourage more students to proactively reach out and do the same. By meeting the people you will potentially work with, for example through a business course, you can gain a better understanding of whether the work would suit you.

Can’t wait to get started as a Strategy Analyst at Accenture or do you want to stay up-to-date on other job openings at Accenture? Connect with Accenture on Magnet.me via this link.