Recent Graduates

Why would you recommend starting your career at a boutique consultancy like PIR?

I’d recommend starting your career at a boutique consultancy firm like PIR because you get to do real work from day one. In my very first project, I was already responsible for a project workstream, owning deliverables and presenting directly to senior stakeholders on the client side. That kind of responsibility early on makes you learn fast and helped me build confidence quicker than I expected.

Another thing I really appreciate is how broad and entrepreneurial the role is. At PIR, you’re not only involved in external projects but also in recruitment, marketing initiatives, events, and university lectures. Because the firm is smaller, there’s a genuine openness to new ideas and input, regardless of seniority. For example, I got the opportunity to run an internal AI workshop, which made me feel that my perspective mattered.

On top of that, PIR has a very supportive and down-to-earth culture. It’s easy to reach out to senior colleagues, ask questions, and get feedback. Expectations are clear, feedback is structured, and there’s a strong focus on development. That combination of responsibility and support makes PIR a great place to start your career.

What attracted you to work with procurement?

What first attracted me to procurement is the balance between analysis and real business impact. I enjoy working with numbers, building business cases, and helping decide which suppliers to work with. You’re often part of decisions that truly impact the business, making the work feel meaningful & rewarding.

I also like how cross functional procurement is. In projects, you work closely with different parts of the organization, such as product owners and business leaders. You get exposed to many different solutions, technologies, and industries, which keeps the work varied and interesting.

Another big driver for me is how tangible the results are. In procurement, it’s very clear what you’ve delivered. The outcomes are often tied to specific KPIs, and in some projects you can directly see the value created. Being able to point to concrete results and say “this made a difference” is something I find very motivating.

Three learnings from your first year at PIR?

One key learning from my first year is how much you grow when you’re responsible for the full picture, not just small tasks. Having to take ownership of your work, structure your thinking, and clearly communicate your conclusions forces you to develop quickly and take your role seriously.

Another thing I’ve learned is how fast you can become knowledgeable in completely new areas. In one project, I went from knowing very little about a specific topic to becoming the person others turned to for answers. By interviewing experts, synthesizing scattered information and creating structure and clarity, I realized how much value you can add simply by connecting the dots.

Finally, I’ve learned how important the right people and culture are for development. Getting continuous feedback, being able to ask questions without hesitation, and feeling safe to speak up makes a huge difference. The support from my colleagues has helped me learn faster and feel confident in pushing myself, which has been one of the most valuable parts of my first year at PIR.