Articles by Matt Ellsworth

When Ryan Johnson ('02) was living in Santiago, Chile, on one of his study-travel experiences as a Flinn Scholar from the University of Arizona, he witnessed a facet of Chilean public transportation that, undoubtedly, thousands of visiting students have observed: the buses drove fast. And consequently, they were involved in terrible and frequent accidents.

What Ryan did next provided a fairly good indication of the career path for which he was bound. He studied the problem, discovering that drivers were paid per passenger--meaning that, the faster they drove between stops, the more they would earn. He wrote about his findings in a paper that was featured in a World Bank publication; not long after, Santiago's public-transportation regulations were revised to match the alternative, safer system that Ryan had proposed.

Here's what Ryan has been doing lately.

Now that I’ve transferred to the Johannesburg office of McKinsey & Company, my employer, I’m experiencing a range of challenges I never experienced working for U.S. institutions. 

On a recent study for a South African government agency (footnote: we keep the specific names of clients confidential), we were working for the minister to develop an action plan in the face of the recession. McKinsey advises top executives (or in this case, government officials) across the world on their most important strategic matters. On this study that meant figuring out what to do when a government revenue increase turns into a decrease, yet the government already promised to increase services.

The problem was challenging enough, and then one day from the team room we heard a series of horns. It sounded like a soccer match. I asked my teammates, “is that a vuvuzela?” Then we heard more noise. Finally, we went outside and realized the employees were on strike.

So instead of discussing the long-term impact of the recession, for that day’s meeting we starting preparing to discuss what to do about the strike.

On another study working for a parastatal infrastructure company, I learned that the pace of African business can be a bit… slow.  I had invited a dozen clients to a workshop I was giving on the future of one of the company’s main divisions. It was very important to have everyone there to agree on the vision. When the meeting started, nobody was there. Thirty minutes later we had a handful, and the last one came a full three hours after the meeting started. I wish I could say this was an isolated incident. 

Working in Africa can sometimes be stressful like that, but now I just laugh and say, it’s all part of the adventure.

McKinsey consultants typically rotate studies every three or four months, so I get exposed to a range of industries, business functions, and geographies. I love the chance to work at a railroad terminal one month, and the next month work for the head of marketing for a leading computer company, and then work for a government agency in Africa. Now that I’m based in Johannesburg, I’ll have the chance to work all over Sub-Saharan Africa on our wide range of clients here.

My international experience started with the Flinn Scholars' Eastern European seminar and travel grants. In addition to an appreciation for the growth and opportunity that comes from international exposure, it helped me uncover my passion, transportation. Ever since Flinn travel to Santiago, Chile, where I studied how certain bus-driver contracts were causing dozens of incremental traffic deaths per year, I have had an interest in understanding public and private transportation issues.

I later interned at the United Nations and World Bank working on transportation projects, and then studied informal transportation on a Fulbright Grant in Brazil.

After Brazil, I started with McKinsey & Company, where I sought to understand how the world of global business and institutions works. McKinsey is the world’s leading management-consulting firm, and it is the second-most desired employer (after Google) for business-school graduates. It is also one of the most sought-after employers at Ivy League undergraduate institutions.

McKinsey and Flinn Scholars have a long history together. Besides me, Kaleen Love ('96), Brian Lutz ('97), and Brook Rosenbaum ('94) are currently at the firm. In addition, Kim (Starkey) Jonker ('89), Ben Driggs ('90), and Ian Larkin ('91) all spent time there.

Larkin, now a professor at Harvard Business School, was on my Flinn selection committee and instantly became a mentor. As our conversations progressed from what classes to take freshman year to what to do after school, he convinced me McKinsey was a great place to start a career for the exposure to senior executives and for the exit opportunities it creates.

My first interview question with McKinsey was, "Tell me, why Arizona?" And I knew that the story of the Flinn, the doors it opened, and the experiences it led to would make me stand out from the crowd. The Flinn Scholars program produces individuals and leaders who are very compelling, not just to grad schools, but to employers.

I plan to take next summer off to enjoy the World Cup and travel around Africa. Afterwards, I may stay at McKinsey, go to business school, or look for a position somewhere in Brazil, Africa, or the U.S.

Blake Thomson ('09) thinks that students who have always dreamed of working three part-time jobs and eating only ramen noodles might not want to apply for the Flinn Scholarship. Here's his advice for everybody else.

Dear potential 2010 Flinn Scholar (yes YOU!),

My name is Blake Thomson, and one short year ago I was working on my Flinn scholarship application, just like you. I was tired of my mom telling me how lucky I would be if I were to receive the scholarship. I was sick of telling her that there was no chance I would receive such an amazing deal. I was frustrated by the idea of having to address such difficult essay prompts just to be turned away by such a prestigious scholarship committee. But I couldn’t stop thinking about the regret I’d feel if I didn’t give myself a chance.

And so, to appease my mom, my friends, my teachers, and most of all, myself, I applied for the Flinn. Of course, to protect my ego and to appear cool and collected, I put up a front of indifference every time someone mentioned the Flinn.  I can’t even count how many times I used the phrase “yeah it’d be cool but… we’ll see” during those ensuing months.

The period of time between my application submission and my selection as a Scholar is hazy, and I think I must’ve blacked out somewhere in there amidst the daunting interviews, the hesitant optimism and the many emails, because I’m not entirely sure how I was chosen to be a Flinn Scholar. But the point is, I got the scholarship.

Even though every time I brought up my application for the Flinn I’d add on to the end of my remark that “obviously it’s a science thing and I won’t get it, but it’s not a big deal.” Even though I kept stressing and searching and studying each college trying to find the right match for me, because I was certain I wasn’t going to have any “viable” in-state options. Even though, in my final interview for the Flinn, I told a decorated and revered former general that, in my opinion, war is never the answer (I think I stopped breathing for the remainder of the interview). Even though I cringed at the thought of going up against all these kids who I was certain were “better than me” for a scholarship that essentially ensures that I am going to have to work hard, dream big, and, to use a cliché, be somebody.

The Flinn is for anyone, not just the science-oriented. However, if you picture any of the following as essential college experiences that you would like to have, you might want to reconsider applying for the Flinn Scholarship:
•    Settling on driving to Nogales for a day-trip to satisfy your urges to “study abroad.”
•    Having to look at any purchase in terms of its food value (e.g. not buying a shirt because “it costs 24 packages of ramen.”)
•    Having to camp out in a lawn chair by the car of your college advisor in order to get in touch with him.
•    Putting that unpaid internship with a congressman on hold because your first priority is defending your title as “Most Reliable Fry-Maker” so you can get the much-needed bonus to pay your college tuition.

These are all things you will not have to deal with as a Flinn Scholar. However, oddly enough, if you are a bit eccentric and for whatever reason would really like to have these experiences, you could still have them as a Flinn Scholar if you so choose. And that’d make you an interesting individual, which means… you’d be a great candidate for the Flinn.

In short, there is no reason not to apply for the Flinn. Don’t second-guess yourself. Show the committee who you are, who you hope to be, and know that you have nothing to regret.

Thank you, and I hope you have a great senior year,

Blake Thomson (’09)

Photo by flickr user saket_vora

We're counting down the days--under a month to go, now, until the deadline to submit 2010 Flinn Scholarship applications.

About time to hand out a few hints, don't you think? Here's what Emma Kleiner ('09) has to say:

Dear Future Flinn Scholars,

Congratulations on starting the Flinn application process!  My name is Emma, and just one short year ago I was writing (and re-writing) the Flinn essays just like you.

To give you a tangible grasp of the difference that one year can make, tonight I am sitting here writing this letter with another Flinn Scholar.  I also just finished watching “Glee” with my roommate and two great friends that live next door.  Yes, I had some homework to do—but let’s overlook that right now.  There are so many fun college times ahead of you, so just keep that in mind through the whole college-application process—it’s all worth it in the end.  

Now on to addressing application anxieties more concretely:  I read your essay prompts and basically flipped.  They are so cool!  I’m totally jealous and wish I could apply all over again so that I could have the opportunity to write your essays.  Though I cannot speak for the Flinn Foundation, I do know that the selection committee wants to see your true personality shine in these essays.  Have fun and speak your true opinions!  I know that you may be a little worn out by all of your high-school obligations and college applications, but consistent effort in these next five weeks will really improve your essays and make them stand out.  Keep working diligently regardless of how overworked you may feel.  You all have the potential to write amazing and insightful essays. You simply have to allow yourself the time and energy to do that.

I know that many of you will have the chance to accept the Flinn.  Let me assure you that it is the best opportunity ever!  The first thing that I said to my family when I came home from Lost Canyon (the annual Flinn Scholars retreat to northern Arizona) is that I would not trade the Flinn for any Ivy League school.  The Flinn Family is not just a concept—it’s a reality.  I get along with all the Flinn Scholars and have a great time meeting everyone.  The older Flinns have helped me so much, and I look to them for guidance all the time.  

Last year, the idea of being part of the Flinn community inspired me to create special essays.  I hope this letter will inspire you to do the same.  The Flinn experience is worth the effort and time that you’ll invest in your application.  I have so much confidence in each of you.  I can’t wait to meet many of you at your future Flinn interviews!  

Good luck!
Emma Kleiner (’09)

Photo by Flickr user b-love

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