Asmir Mahmuljin

Describe your role and what it is that you do overall and on a day-to-day basis.

I am a part of the M&A and PE (Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity) team in Accenture’s Strategy and Consulting practice. Most of the client work we do revolve around pre- and post-merger activities, e.g., when companies acquire other companies, or when a company wants to separate/sell a part of it. In terms of daily work, I’ve mainly been involved in technology focused Due Diligence projects for various international clients, primarily PE firms. My role as an Analyst usually means taking charge of parts of the data collection and analysis work. A common approach we use in projects is not much different from how group work is usually conducted at SSE – dividing and conquering – where each team member oversees their own workstream. Being a global company with almost 700 000 employees, there is an abundance of internal knowledge and expertise to make use of when analyzing a specific sector or trying to understand certain technologies. By doing this, it not only relieves me from any stress caused by not being familiar with a lot of things, but also gives me insights and perspectives I often cannot find through Googling – which is one of the biggest benefits of working in consulting.

What interested you about the field/company/role you are currently in?

I’d say the reason is two-folded: (1) the opportunity to explore the technology aspect of Strategy Consulting; (2) being in an environment where I am surrounded by brilliant people that will aid me in my personal growth. After finishing an internship at Ericsson after graduating from SSE, I knew I wanted to continue pursuing a path which revolved around state-of-the-art technologies and the highly relevant intersection between business and technology. Combined with wanting to work more “horizontally” – being exposed to a variety of industries and firms – I felt that Strategy Consulting at Accenture was the natural next step for me. Lastly, getting to spend my days with like-minded, ambitious, but most importantly supportive colleagues, is what really keeps me motivated to work from our offices instead of from home. The chance to learn from and get to know colleagues on all levels (consultants, managers etc.), not being subjected to a culture based on hierarchies, and knowing that a collective commitment to support each other is embedded into our walls, all these factors make each day here easy to look forward to.

Why did you choose to study your subject area at SSE?

My priorities when picking my program at SSE were: (1) a focus on developing qualitative abilities over just quantitative, e.g., self-leadership and ability to communicate to groups; (2) solving complex business problems together with a diverse group of people; (3) gaining valuable experiences through unique, international exchanges. All these conditions were successfully satisfied by the MSc in International Business (MIB) program at SSE. The tasks we were faced with usually tested our capabilities to lead and cooperate with other individuals – most often people with different backgrounds in terms of ways of working, thinking, and communicating. Furthermore, the business trips to Riga and Uganda, my exchange semester in Chile, and the CEMS international internship allowed me to develop new perspectives on how it is to operate and grow a business in a multitude of environments.

How did your time/education at SSE help guide you to the career journey you have embarked on?

Given the spread SSE has in terms of the vast range of industries and companies its alumni are present in, the opportunity to get unique insights into a sector, firm, or other institution of one’s interest is significantly higher than at many other Swedish universities. This enabled me to explore different career opportunities and contact individuals I would normally not have met if it weren’t for SSE’s strong business ties and great student- and alum network. My current role is an example of the many professional benefits SSE can offer. It was through the Retail Club program in the BSc in Retail Management that I first was introduced to Accenture and got to work with its employees. This was back in 2017, and I’m positive that the probability of me ending up at the firm post-graduation would not have been as high without the positive experiences I received back then.

What are three words that sum up your time at SSE?

Community, SASSE, growth.