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Sefu Diallo

From Engineering Undergraduate to Director of Strategy

Last updated: Jul 13, 2025

Strategy Consultant in Management Consulting · Lagos, Nigeria

From engineering undergrad to consulting to corporate strategy. Documenting my professional milestones honestly — the airport sandwiches, the 80-hour weeks, the slides you remember years later. Written for anyone considering consulting as a launchpad.

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Career Timeline

Education2013-2017
Engineering Undergraduate
University of Lagos
Realised by year three that I liked the people side of engineering more than the equations. Pivoted to case competitions and consulting clubs.
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ContextRealised by year three that I liked the people side of engineering more than the equations. Pivoted to case competitions and consulting clubs.
ChallengesCareer counsellors expected an engineer to take an engineering job. Explaining a consulting interest at home was its own project.
LearningsStructured thinking is taught nowhere as honestly as in case prep. Even if you do not become a consultant, the rep matters.
OutcomeOff-cycle internship at McKinsey & Company that turned into a return offer.
Skills acquired
Engineering basicscase competitionspublic speakingclub leadership
First Job2017-2019
Business Analyst
McKinsey & Company
Two years as a generalist BA. Healthcare, retail, banking — every engagement a new vocabulary.
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ContextTwo years as a generalist BA. Healthcare, retail, banking — every engagement a new vocabulary.
ChallengesHours were brutal. Confidence cycle: feel smart Monday, feel useless Wednesday, restart Friday.
LearningsThe deck is the artefact; the meeting is the work. Senior partners speak in trade-offs, not opinions.
OutcomeSponsored for an MBA after two years.
Skills acquired
PowerPointExcel modellingclient communicationstructured problem solving
Higher Studies2019-2021
MBA Candidate
University of Lagos
Two years of MBA — clubs, electives, a summer at Unilever that became a return offer.
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ContextTwo years of MBA — clubs, electives, a summer at Unilever that became a return offer.
ChallengesImposter syndrome among peers who all seemed more accomplished. Decision fatigue around post-MBA roles.
LearningsAn MBA is your last cheap risk window. Use the network during; never after.
OutcomeSwitched from consulting to in-house strategy at Unilever.
Skills acquired
Strategyfinanceorganisational behaviournetworkelectives in operations
Promotion2021-Present
Director of Strategy
Unilever
Moved up from senior manager to director leading a strategy function. Less deck-making, more political navigation.
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ContextMoved up from senior manager to director leading a strategy function. Less deck-making, more political navigation.
ChallengesSaying no to interesting initiatives that did not fit the bet. Hiring senior people who teach you new things weekly.
LearningsIn corporate strategy, time horizons stretch. Patience compounds. Influence is a slower currency than the consulting hours felt.
Skills acquired
Corporate strategyM&Aboard communicationcross-functional leadershipmentoring
AdviceUse consulting for two to three years, not six. The marginal learning drops sharply.

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Sefu Diallo

Career Timeline

Engineering Undergraduate

Business Analyst

MBA Candidate

Director of Strategy

Reflections & Questions from Readers