Chelsea Heimbigner – Senior Project Manager for a Global Software Company

What was your background before joining AGCP?   

My background is unique, as I was on two very different paths before I landed in consulting. I studied French and Economics at Seattle Pacific University. After graduating, I had the incredible experience of teaching in France. I learned a ton and enjoyed the freedom of self-directed teaching, curating lesson plans, and fostering creativity while strategizing goals for my students. After moving back to Seattle, I found a job in wealth management but realized that it wasn’t the right fit for me. I began interviewing for consulting jobs when seeking new career opportunities and discovered that consulting could offer exciting projects, frequent learning opportunities, and a growth mindset career path. I landed a role as a technical content writer but eventually found that I wanted to be more involved in project management, where I could have a voice in strategy and system approach. Luckily, I found an opportunity that granted me this here at AGCP! 

Why did you decide to go into consulting? 

While exploring different opportunities and feeling uncertain about the direction I wanted to take in my career, consulting felt the most appealing due to the flexibility to explore various roles within a company, enabling me to try new things and discover my true passions. I discovered that consultants tend to have a lot of determination and grit, which resonated well with me and felt like a natural fit. This journey led me to embrace the exciting challenges and opportunities that consulting offered, transforming my career into a fulfilling and dynamic path. 

What does your typical workday look like? 

I thoroughly enjoy my current client project as it has evolved, allowing me to build an intimate understanding of the business and evolving strategy. My days follow different rhythms, some being busy and others more flexible. To avoid chaos, I prioritize effective time management. Each morning, I get online between 7:30 and 8:00, savoring my coffee while listening to a podcast to ease into the day. I do my best to avoid scheduling early meetings so I can check emails, catch up on updates, and prepare for the day ahead. Then, I have check-ins with my teams and hold 1:1 meetings to discuss their weekly goals. These meetings are when I receive unique project requests that I’ll spend the rest of the week working on. I dedicate the first half of the day to performing these large project tasks and focusing on writing and communications for the team, such as drafting emails, PowerPoints, newsletter copy, and other crucial communication pieces. In addition, I own multiple Teams channels for various communities. I work as a SME for my client by answering questions in the communities, posting frequent updates, managing meetings, and external partner communications. I may break up the routine on days with fewer meetings by walking to a nearby café to work on content writing. Another delightful part of my work-from-home setup is having my cat Otis join me for team meetings, making him a little team mascot on calls. The flexibility of working from home also allows me to take breaks outside on my balcony or cook fresh meals, making my work environment even more enjoyable. 

What advice can you share with someone interested in consulting? 

The best advice I could give is to stay curious. You must be willing to ask questions and strive to understand the bigger picture of your client’s business and goals. Otherwise, you will spend much time chasing down tasks instead of proactively addressing them. When you understand the business, it’s easier to predict your client’s needs (and be a consulting superstar), and the work becomes more interesting.  

Thank you, Chelsea; you are such a valued team member!  

If you want to join our AGCP team of outstanding consultants, contact us to learn more about our current openings. We look forward to hearing from you soon!