This interview is for BayStreetBBS members who are interested in careers in the IT Consulting industry. Adrien Mak, Partner at PWC has been kind enough to share his career advice and industry insights. Adrien will also be one of the keynote speakers at BayStreetBBS' upcoming Career Expo event on October 18, 2014.
Lionet Career Expo (October 18th) registration: https://www.picatic.com/lionetcareerexpo
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Biography
ADRIEN MAK, PARTNER, CONSULTING AND DEALS PRACTICE, PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
Adrien Mak’s a partner in the Consulting and Deals practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP working in the Toronto office. Adrien has worked on large scale, information technology-related transformational projects for more than a decade. He has taken on a wide variety of roles, including project executive, delivery project manager, business architect and systems integrator.
Adrien graduated with a BSc (Honours Co-op) in Mechanical Engineering, with a minor in Management Science, from the University of Waterloo in 1995.
Interview Questions
5. BayStreetBBS: In consulting, how do you effectively lead a team?
Adrien: Very often in consulting, we have to assemble a brand new team based on each particular project and everyone may have just met one another. It is therefore important to be able to work together with different personalities and experience levels immediately. As a project leader, you have to influence everyone to work together as a team and each one may have slightly different motivations. Nowadays, it is also not uncommon to have younger project managers taking the charge for a project and serving more as a coordinator within the project team. The other thing is that building good relationships with your clients, co-workers and friends is important. Because you never know who is going to help you in the future. Try to build up a team of your own and start helping people around you.
6. BayStreetBBS: What are the rewarding/enjoyable aspects of your work?
Adrien: Mentoring. I really enjoy coaching people, helping them to develop and succeed as an individual. I like to build and coach team and see them succeed. In consulting, I really enjoy helping my clients to solve their problems.
7. BayStreetBBS: How do you find work-life balance? How many hours per week do you usually work?
Adrien: We need to find balance in life. Usually I work over 50 hours per week. Every person has different preferences, and no one can teach you how to balance your life. So you need to start knowing yourself better – self-awareness. When you know what you want in your life, I think it is not hard for you to figure out the balance between work and life.
8. BayStreetBBS: If you are hiring in your team, what are the top skills/qualifications you look for?
Adrien: Attitude, interpersonal skills and the way you think are more sometimes more important than technical skills. People can always learn technical skills, but interpersonal skills are something harder to pick up. It is also important to be able to work in a team environment. You have to understand what people need and what motivates them.
Don't just sit there – turn problems in solutions!
To listen to more career advice from Adrien Mak (Partner, Consulting and Deals practice, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP), come to our Lionet Career Expo at the MTCC on October 18, 2014! Adrien will be one of the 6 executive keynote speakers who will be sharing their experiences and insights on career development. Come with questions, this is a unique opportunity to meet them in person!
Lionet Career Expo (October 18th) registration: https://www.picatic.com/lionetcareerexpo
This interview was conducted by Jonathan Xu, Bernard Li and Joanna Jin (BaystreetBBS Public Relations) on 09/15/14.