McKinsey Forward Program Tips

In order to have a grasp of the McKinsey Forward Program, it is important to have a brief overview of the company itself. McKinsey & Company is a global management consulting firm that was established in 1926 by James O. McKinsey, a professor at the University of Chicago. The company renders consulting services to corporations, governments, and other organizations. Although its headquarters is located in New York City, the United States, the company has over 130 offices in more than 65,00 countries around the world. It also has over 38,000 employees in its workforce as of 2021.

Overview of the McKinsey Forward Program

The McKinsey Forward program is a five-month online training program. The program was designed to equip young talents with several practical skills that are needed to thrive in the workplace and to be able to meet the demands of the future of work. The skills taught in the program are not only relevant for individuals pursuing a career in management consultancy. The program focuses on leadership, business and digital skills that can be applied across several disciplines and positions.

Eligibility for the Forward program

In order to be eligible for the Forward Program an applicant must be from Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan, Turkey and Azerbaijan. If you are from any of the above countries and would like to know if you meet the requirements, below is the list of things you must possess to be considered for the program.

• You must be currently employed, self-employed, or in between jobs.
• You are expected to have not more than five years of formal work experience. This does not include internships that were done while you were in school.
• You must have completed post-secondary education (for example: diploma, associate degree, undergraduate degree). If you are a student in the university for an undergraduate program, you are not eligible to apply. However, if you are enrolled for a Masters program, you are eligible to apply.
• The program is conducted in English; therefore, you are expected to have a good command of the English language.

You will be required during the application process to verify your eligibility to participate in the program before you are considered for it. You should note that not all applicants are admitted into the program. The reasons for rejection are diverse and they could include failure to meet the eligibility requirement, lack of enough spots in the program, or failure to fill the application form appropriately. However, you are always permitted to apply in subsequent application windows.

Stages of the Forward program

McKinsey Forward Program is divided into three stages which are the foundation, advanced and network level. The goal is to structure the program in an orderly manner. The foundation level of the program contains more than 18 hours of self-paced learning resources. It will introduce you to some practical skills such as problem-solving, effective communication, adaptability and resilience. These are all skills you will need to attain success in every field. This stage lasts for a period of 8 weeks.

The advanced level which takes a period of 12 weeks contains over 25 hours of learning. In this stage, you are exposed to virtual workshops, digital content and group assignment which gives you the opportunity to learn from McKinsey experts and other participants in the Forward program. This is the stage where you get to learn about self-leadership, design thinking and agile ways of work.

At the networking level, you are able to join a global network of young talent and you can maximize the opportunity to have access to events where you can build your network and also learn further.

One of the perks of the program is that you are not necessarily required to spend a particular duration of time studying the materials every day or every week. All you are required to do is ensure that you complete each stage of the program before the deadline for the stage. It is important to note that you won’t be able to progress to another stage of the program if you do not complete the curriculum of one stage.

Will I get a Salary during the program?

No, you won’t. Forward is not an internship or a graduate trainee program, so there is no remuneration attached to it and it doesn’t in any way guarantee that you will be offered employment in the company. It is simply part of the company’s effort to equip you with relevant skills for career advancement.

Is there a certificate after the program?

Yes, all individuals who are able to successfully complete the foundation and advanced levels of the program will be issued a certificate of completion. There will also be a personalized digital badge that you can share across your social media platforms. The certificate doesn’t rank as an academic qualification per se, but it could boost your professional outlook, as it shows that you have been trained in basic soft skills by a top management consulting firm.

What is the cost of the McKinsey Forward Program?

You might be wondering that with all the benefits stated above, what are you expected to pay so as to gain access to the prestigious opportunity? Good news!!! The program is totally free. All you are expected to bring to the table is the commitment to learn. You will also be required to have access to a smartphone or laptop device with internet access. This is because the training will be conducted virtually.

Why you should give it a shot

You’ve read everything and you are fired up to join the program, right? Keep checking the Forward’s website and you can register on the website so that you will be the first person to receive a notification when the application opens.

Are you still wondering if you should join? I am also a participant at the McKinsey Forward program and I can say that it is one of the best investments I have made in my professional growth. The classes are rich and well curated to serve the needs of a young professional. It is not an opportunity you want to miss.