This article originally appeared on Fuqua’s MMS student blog and is shared here with permission.
By Anne Mickelson, MMS:FOB ’25
Before beginning the MMS: FOB program, I was told that I would be immersed in a wide array of classes spanning accounting, marketing, finance, strategy, and more. One class that particularly stood out to me was the Fuqua Client Consulting Practicum (FCCP). This course allows us an opportunity to work with real clients in an authentic consulting setting. The first-hand experience gained through this course gave me a better foundation of the consulting field and greater insight into problem-solving strategies, market research, and client-facing activities.
Getting Started With My Consulting Team
FCCP is a truly collaborative endeavor. My five teammates and I worked under an engagement manager, a second-year Daytime MBA student who mentored us through the project with our client, PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans. Everyone on our team had various strengths and perspectives, bringing different skills to the table in terms of problem-solving, communication, and data analysis.
As a team, we held many brainstorming and collaboration sessions, intending to create an innovative and respectful environment. We were open to new ideas and new approaches to the problem at hand.
Working in a team, and especially with my team, helped me to learn the importance of being receptive to others’ ideas and encouraging teammates in their work. It was clear that by the end of FCCP, no singular person could have come up with the solutions we had. It was our collective effort that made our work stand out.
Developing a Real Client Relationship
Collaborating with a real client was also one of the most valuable parts of this project. Our team wasn’t just working on this project as an academic exercise, we were working with a company facing real challenges. It was valuable to know our work had the potential to make a genuine impact.
PJ’s Coffee did a tremendous job guiding us through their hopes and goals for their company, immersing our team into the coffee space. Developing a solid relationship with our client cultivated a greater sense of care when it came down to making our final recommendations. By the end of the project, we felt like we were part of the client’s culture and ultimately an extension of their team.
Reflecting on my time in FCCP, I can confidently say it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my MMS: FOB journey. I grew as a leader, communicator, and team player, all while gaining invaluable insights on what it takes to work on a real-world consulting project. Working with my team and with PJ’s Coffee is an experience I do not take for granted — and I am excited to see how I can take all that I have learned during FCCP to the next phase of my career.