I just finished up an intense six week private equity case, ending an exciting first few months at the firm. I’m finally getting settled into the working world, enjoying my new pad in Boston, and beginning to appreciate life at Parthenon.

One year ago, when I decided to join Parthenon, I would have had trouble articulating exactly what it was about this firm that I found so exciting. Certainly Parthenon’s prestigious client base and thriving education and private equity business were impressive—but I heard so much about every company’s strengths that it was hard to know what it all meant. I wasn’t even sure I was ready to move to Boston, thinking I’d rather be in Chicago which is much closer to home. But I spoke with an old friend and Parthenon Associate. He told me that I had to see the office in person. “I’m telling you,” he said, “there’s no firm like it.” I went ahead and visited, and from the moment I entered the State Street office, I could tell he was right—there was something special about the firm and its people.

Three months into the job, it’s the unexpected surprises—just like the first day I visited—that have made my short time at Parthenon so exciting. I never thought that I could do work for global firms and leaders and still enjoy a collegial and entrepreneurial spirit like the startup company I had worked on last summer. I never thought that the people I work with all day would also be the first I call to grab a beer or hang out after work. And I never thought that I would work at a firm that takes both work and fun so seriously.

I love being at a firm that does great work— but at the end of the day it’s the remarkable people and culture at Parthenon that have made all the difference in my first few months at the firm