"Around six months before my 30th birthday, I had a pivotal experience with a consulting case where my longest workday was 43 hours straight without any breaks. I got to a point where I was cutting off my direct reports after four words if they weren't getting to the point fast enough because time was just so tight. I didn't like the person that I was becoming: a very efficient, output-oriented, insecure, overachiever."
"Consulting was an eye-opening and important time in my life. The amount that I learned while I was at Bain was bar none. And I was good at it. I didn't leave because I couldn't hack it. I left because I could hack it, but I didn't really like what that looked like and what kind of person that made me."
Sunny Stroeer worked as a consultant at Bain before leaving in 2015 to build a career in adventure sports and outdoor businesses. Despite finding consulting intellectually rewarding and excelling at it, she experienced severe burnout, including a 43-hour workday that prompted self-reflection about the person she was becoming. She recognized the consulting model prioritized efficiency and output over well-being, conflicting with her values. Rather than leaving due to inability to perform, Stroeer departed because she disliked the lifestyle and mindset the role demanded. Her consulting experience provided valuable strategic thinking and confidence that translated effectively into managing outdoor expeditions and businesses. She now runs an outdoor guiding company in Utah, an expedition company for women, and serves as executive director of the Alliance for Gender Equity and Outdoor Adventure.
#career-transition #consulting-burnout #adventure-entrepreneurship #work-life-balance #professional-values
Read at Business Insider
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