Quick start your career as an AI & Data Consultant

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your role at Deloitte. 

My name is Michelle and I’m a Consultant in the AI & Data team at Deloitte Switzerland. I studied Computer Engineering and Software Engineering, completed two MIT programs (Applied Data Science with a focus on AI for decision-making, and Data Science and Machine Learning for data-driven decisions), and was about to finish my MSc in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Siena when Deloitte hired me. So yes — I spent quite a while on the academic side.

At Deloitte, I work on projects where data strategy, AI/GenAI solutions, and real business value come together. What I love about this role is that it lets me apply my technical background in ways that directly impacts clients.

When I’m not working you’ll probably find me gaming, crafting Amigurumi plushies, or preparing for Halloween — a personal tradition I take surprisingly seriously.

How long have you been with Deloitte, and what attracted you to the firm?

I joined in September 2023, but the journey started earlier during a Deloitte Business Challenge at my university. Two soon-to-be colleagues approached me afterwards and said that my profile, technical mindset, and problem-solving skills corresponded exactly to what they were looking for.

That conversation stuck with me and when it came time to decide where to start my career I chose Deloitte, because I wanted to move beyond theory and work on real projects with real clients, tackling genuine business challenges.

What really stood out was how the team is not only technically strong but also extremely supportive and motivated — it just felt like a place where I would easily fit in.

Another key aspect is the entrepreneurial culture — people take ownership, push boundaries, and focus on delivering real business value. The team is also growing quickly which is exciting, and the learning curve is steep. On top of this you get to take on real responsibility early on.

Everything I heard about Deloitte before and during the interviews was exactly how it felt once I joined, so I’m very glad I made that decision.

What does a typical day look like in your role? 

Every day is different, which is the best and most challenging part. Consulting forces you to grow quickly, because each project and each client brings a completely different set of challenges, and the real-life experience consulting gives is something that academic studies alone cannot deliver. The gap between theory and practice is large, and consulting forces you to grow faster than you expect.

Most days involve preparing analyses and deliverables, aligning with stakeholders, supporting AI and data initiatives, and translating business needs into something our technical teams can truly build. Sometimes clients want very technical detail; other times they need more business-oriented guidance. This combination is what makes the work so interesting.

And of course, we celebrate wins together – nothing bonds a team like solving a difficult challenge and then sharing an apéro afterwards.

Can you share an example of a project you’ve worked on and what your contributions were?

One of my favourite projects was developing a GenAI-based narrative generator to support decision-makers preparing for high-stakes communications. I worked on everything from GenAI videos for the client — including a GenAI avatar explaining how to use the tool — to analysing financial material, designing KPIs for accuracy and completeness, and validating the model outputs to avoid hallucinations.

What made the project so memorable was the way it combined creativity, technical skills, and real business impact. It showed me just how important trust is in any GenAI work, and how much difference even junior team members can make when they take ownership.

How would you describe your team?

Two words come to mind when I think about my team. The first is hardworking and the second is refreshing — this may sound unusual but being around them feels like having a well-made Mojito on a sunny day!

Let me start with “hardworking.” From the moment I joined, I noticed the care and quality my colleagues put into everything we deliver. Their honest feedback, guidance, and expectations have helped me grow a lot. For me, people who walk the walk — not just talk the talk — and genuinely want you to succeed make all the difference. I owe much of my improvement to both their example and their advice.

Next, “refreshing.” Coming from an academic background I wasn’t used to such a collaborative and people-focused environment. Working with a large team was new to me, but bonding with them made me admire many as both colleagues and people. The conversations, the laughs, and simply seeing the same supportive faces made me realise how important this kind of environment is. Here you can be yourself, feel supported, and have great conversations — no matter your level of seniority. Thanks to this team I’ve become a true team player, something I never expected to say before joining Deloitte.

What training and development programs have you participated in? How have they helped you grow professionally?

Continuous learning is one of my favourite things about Deloitte. I’ve taken part in hackathons, technical summits, go-to-market events, and several AI and GenAI training programs. I’m also involved in the NVIDIA GenAI sprint, which has been an excellent technical deep dive. These experiences have helped me build solid skills, understand how things really get done, and grow into the kind of consultant I want to be. In a field that changes so fast, I feel like work gives me enough support but also the freedom to keep learning at my own pace.

What qualities or skills do you think are important for success in your role?  

Be curious. Be bold. Be willing to learn fast.

This team values people who take initiative, explore new ideas, and care about creating real business value – not just building technology for the sake of it. Building your personal brand helps others understand your strengths, and collaborating closely with your team accelerates your growth more than you can imagine.

In short: bring your curiosity, your courage, and your willingness to grow. The rest we’ll build together.