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Aamanh Sehdev, 28, was named a partner at McKinsey this month.
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After joining as a summer intern, he rose through the ranks to that position in just seven years.
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Sehdev spoke to BI about how he heard the news and what helped him advance at McKinsey.
Aamanh Sehdev spent a week in early December trying to distract himself by seeing friends and playing paddle tennis.
He had been an associate partner for two of his seven-year career at McKinsey and he knew there was a chance he would be promoted to partner.
But this year there were a low number of elections, so he thought the result would be 50-50.
The news usually comes at the end of the week. But around 8:30 pm on Wednesday, Sehdev received a call at his house. It was from Tunde Olanrewaju, managing partner of McKinsey’s UK, Ireland and Israel offices.
“The nerves were about to get the best of him, but he got straight to the point,” Sehdev told Business Insider.
“Hey, this is great news. Welcome to the association. We are very excited to have you on board,” Sehdev recalled Olanrewaju telling him. “I said thank you, but with a slightly higher tone of voice than I usually have.”
Sehdev is one of approximately 200 McKinsey employees promoted to partner in December. Amid a slowdown in demand for consulting services, this year’s cohort is one of the the smallest of the firm in recent years.
The promotion elevates him to one of the highest positions attainable at a major consulting firm. The associations are participatory and give these employees a say in the direction of the company. Those promoted to equity partners receive a portion of the annual profits.
On McKinsey’s website, partners are described as “not only meeting McKinsey’s high standard of exceptional leadership, but also dedicated to finding solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.”
At 28, Sehdev is one of the youngest in the cohort. He spoke to BI about what it was like to receive the news and what it takes to become a partner.
While his call with Olanrewaju lasted only a few minutes, Sehdev spent the next hour and a half on the phone with sponsors and mentors.
“Obviously, there was a lot of emotion, a lot of congratulations and a little bit of a commonality: ‘Let it sink in. Don’t rush into the next thing. Enjoy the moment,'” he said.
That night he also called his mother and brother. His parents didn’t go to college, so it was an important milestone for the family. “They were super proud and excited,” he said. “They’ve obviously been instrumental in shaping my journey.”