For Alison Gysler, breaking into consulting meant discovering her voice and value in real time. During her three-month internship with FCGI, Alison stepped into the fast-paced world of international investor roadshows, working with a globally dispersed team and learning to navigate challenges head-on.

In this candid conversation, Alison reflects on the moment she found her stride, the support she received at Hult, and the biggest lesson she’ll carry forward: growth comes from action.  

Hult: What inspired you to pursue this internship, and how did you find the opportunity? 

Alison: I’ve been increasingly curious about consulting, and this internship at FCGI felt like the right opportunity to explore whether it’s a space I could see myself in long term. I knew three months would be enough to get real insight without a major commitment. 

The opportunity came through Georgina from the Hult careers team, who believed in my potential and encouraged me to apply. She helped move my resume forward thanks to her connections with FCGI. That kind of direct support gave me the confidence to go for it. 

H: How did it feel when you found out you got the role? 

A: I was absolutely buzzing. I didn’t want to just take another elective—I wanted real, hands-on experience. So getting that offer felt incredible and validating. It proved that all the effort I had put into preparing myself was worth it. 

H: How did the Hult curriculum prepare you for this experience? 

A: Hult’s “learning by doing” approach really made the difference. Most of our classes are based around practical projects and case studies, so I was constantly applying theory to real-world problems. That helped build both hard and soft skills like pitching ideas, working in teams, and solving problems under pressure. All of those carried over into my internship and made me feel capable from day one. 

H: What steps did you take to prepare for your application and interviews? 

A: I went all in. I did a full reset on my resume, LinkedIn, and personal branding. I even got a professional headshot taken through Hult, which sounds small but made a huge difference in how I saw and presented myself. I also joined a mock assessment center that helped me practice for real interview scenarios. It was a lot of upfront work, but it really paid off. 

H: How else did you make use of Hult’s resources? 

A: I regularly checked in with the Careers team, sometimes weekly. They helped me sharpen my profile, stay motivated, and keep improving. They know what recruiters are looking for and how to position yourself effectively. 

I also attended several networking events and guest speaker sessions, which were incredibly insightful. While networking didn’t directly land me this internship, it’s helped me a lot with my ongoing job search now. 

H: What was the most challenging part of the internship? 

A: Definitely the fully remote structure. Coordinating with a global team across multiple time zones was tough. We only had brief daily check-ins, so it was easy to feel isolated or unsure of what others were working on. 

But it pushed me to be more proactive: to check in more often, ask questions, and make sure I understood the bigger picture. It taught me how to stay connected and collaborative in a virtual space. 

H: Was there a particular project or moment you were especially proud of? 

A: One day, just an hour before a meeting with a C-level executive, my supervisor told my colleague and me we’d have to lead it without him. Then—ten minutes before the call—my colleague had to drop out. So, I had to run the meeting alone. 

It was terrifying … but also incredible. I pitched the value of the roadshow, outlined the agenda, and spoke confidently. That moment showed me just how much I had absorbed simply by showing up, listening, and being present. It was a huge confidence boost. 

H: What was the biggest lesson you took away from your internship? 

A: That you’re more ready than you think. We often wait for the “perfect moment” to act, but that moment doesn’t exist. Growth happens when you step up, even if it’s not perfect. Taking initiative and being willing to just do it, even when unsure, is where real development happens. 

H: If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be? 

A: Be more confident. Early on, I held back from asking for more responsibility because I felt unsure. But looking back, I know I could have handled more. So, I’d tell myself: trust your skills, speak up, and lean in. 

H: What advice would you give other Hult students looking for internships or jobs? 

A: 

  • Put all the odds in your favor: update your resume, polish your LinkedIn, seek feedback. 
  • Use every resource: the Careers team is invaluable. 
  • Don’t underestimate networking: even if it doesn’t lead to immediate results, it builds your long-term strategy. 
  • And finally, invest in yourself: know your value, and don’t be afraid to let it show. 

 

Alison’s journey is a great reminder that courage, curiosity, and consistency are key to discovering your professional potential. At Hult, we’re proud to empower students like Alison to test new industries, grow through challenges, and step confidently into their careers—wherever they may lead.

Find out more about our master’s programs here.