The Bachelor in Economics led Laila to the world of consulting. She initially wanted to work in finance, but her trajectory shifted when she joined the IE Consulting Club and talked with the IE Talent & Careers team. After graduation, Laila landed her dream role in a global development consulting firm. Laila Mostafa Ahmed Zaki Mohamed Shokry started her journey at IE University with a strong interest in the financial sector. She chose the Bachelor in Economics due to its broader focus, unique learning approach and wide range of career paths. During the program, Laila discovered her passion for consulting after working with IE Talent & Careers. She turned to the Strategy Lab and IE Consulting Club to start developing essential practical skills. Laila is now working as an analyst at CID Consulting. Could you tell us about your current job at CID Consulting? I’m a business development analyst at CID Consulting, a development consulting firm. We interact with global donors such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the European Union and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) to secure projects in Egypt. These projects are usually developed in consortium with other international companies. We also identify opportunities within the private sector. Since joining the team, I’ve worked on projects related to sustainability, energy, business development, inclusion and more. We develop proposals for donors and private companies and even collaborate with external experts, as we are in charge of hiring the local technical teams. My favorite thing about CID Consulting is that it is a great place to learn and grow both personally and professionally. Why did you choose the Bachelor in Economics at IE University? I was very interested in the financial services sector and saw that the Bachelor in Economics had a comprehensive curriculum and incredible learning opportunities. Similarly, IE University stood out to me for its friendly, international community and the quality education it offers. For instance, the small class sizes allowed us to build relationships with our professors and classmates. How did your experience at IE University prepare you for your professional career? My IE Experience was very hands-on. IE Talent & Careers helped me discover the consulting world and encouraged me to try new fields, while the Strategy Lab solidified my desire to work in consulting. Meanwhile, the IE Career Portal helped me develop my resume and cover letter, network with other consultants, prepare for interviews and find job listings tailored to my interests. What’s more, IE University’s emphasis on the importance of networking led me to build lifelong connections. Do you have any advice for IE University students and alumni looking to pursue a consulting career? I suggest joining the IE Consulting Club as soon as you can. It exposes you to all aspects of consulting and gives you the opportunity to work on case studies and interact with leaders in the field. Also, interview with as many companies as possible because they serve as great practice. Finally, network, network, network—find people who can guide you through the processes and never give up. Lastly, what would you tell someone interested in studying at IE University? It’s a great place to be—it truly feels like home. Everyone is super welcoming and the international presence allows you to learn a lot about different cultures and make friends across the world. With the small classes, it’s easy to contribute, learn and build relationships. And just having the ability to experience two beautiful cities in one university experience is a dream.