There’s a huge temptation to go after big brands in banking in the same way you go after them for business schools, but I think it’s more important to find the right cultural fit. Where do you find the greatest intellectual challenge? Where do you see the most room to grow? Where do you love the team around you? That becomes vastly more important than chasing after one name or the other.

The first few years as an investment banker are really tough, but once you can get through the high-slope learning curve, your military background will provide a significant value-add. Things we consider basic skills – courage, leadership, initiative – will really come to fruition as you gain experience and seniority.

When I came out of business school in 2002, there was a very clear hierarchy between firms, with the largest banks on top. Since then, boutiques have taken much more market share, while providing employees with greater freedom and autonomy. In fact, many of the competitors we hold the greatest respect for are other boutique firms that provide laser-focused expertise.

For those about to start their MBA, I would recommend waiting until you begin classes to kickoff case prep. I have seen many people become burned out from case interview fatigue, so I would encourage you to trust your school's process. I waited until October to start casing and I had my final round interviews in the first week of January. If you can't sit still and feel like you need to do SOMETHING to prepare before class, I highly recommend the book "Case Interview Secrets" by Victor Chen. The book is free for veterans, so you have nothing to lose by ordering.

McKinsey is a big place, providing you opportunities to find your core group of sponsors and mentors. This allows you to identify what problems you enjoy solving and who you like to solve them with. Solving for the people plus the problem creates a great environment to work with people from a variety of backgrounds with similar passions and interests to you.

Walking into the client site for the first time was similar to being a 2LT showing up to my unit for the first time; there was a lot of pressure to deliver, and while you have a solid background and education, you’re still unproven. People size you up and are skeptical about what value you may be able to bring. Ultimately, your success will depend on your ability to win over the client team by proving to them you are competent, can deeply understand the problem and the context, and tailor a solution that the organization can deliver.

One of the defining elements of working at McKinsey is our long-term view; we push for client success in a larger sense rather than looking at short-term sales metrics. Building these relationships over time has been one of the most rewarding parts of my time with the firm.

If I were to pull a consistent thread through my career, it’s been a focus on partnership. It really started when I was back in the Army, serving my “customers” as an Aviator, but it’s been a central theme that I’ve maintained throughout my career.

Coming out of the Army, you might not have the [industry] domain knowledge, but you have the ability to view problems, work through them and influence people to get them on your side. Focus on weaving a story that translates those abilities in a way [civilians] can understand.

In the startup environment, there are no guardrails, and there really isn’t anyone holding your hand and telling you how to do your job. Despite enjoying the experience, I was left wondering how the “best of the best” run a business – this eventually led me to Microsoft.

As a leader in a tech company, it’s important to provide your team guidelines, directives and intent, but still give them the space to develop creative solutions on their own. In the Army, leaders are often responsible for defining solutions; in tech, solutions often come from the team.

Do your due diligence – talk to employees at companies you’re interested in, in roles that you are actively pursuing. Ask if they have flexibility and work/life balance, if they enjoy their work, and if they’re feeling burnt out. Use the on-site interview to gauge how well the environment matches what the company projects.

In any industry you go into, you’re going to have to grind; if the industry is growing and the work is interesting, it’ll help you get through the grind. Avoid industries that are shrinking!