While I was in the US, I sometimes wrote something for my friends in the Czech Republic. So I thought that now when I’m home, I could revert it and write in English.
So what did I do since I returned? I decided first to try to apply for an internship at the consulting company McKinsey (text at wikipedia). On the previous Monday I wrote a problem-solving test, after which they invited me for interviews on Friday. There were three hour-long interviews, each with a McKinsey consultant. In part of it we talked about myself and my experience, for example with organizing the math correspondence seminar. They wanted to hear about my role and thoughts in big detail, and I didn’t have a good feeling about this part – I don’t know exactly how to formulate it, maybe that I felt unable to structure my answers effectively and concisely like they wanted. Besides from this, there was again some problem solving, I think I did pretty well in it again. After the interviews, I felt I didn’t do very well and soon realized quite a few things I could have done better. So I was pleasantly surprised when they called me a few days later and accepted me! I will work there for 2 or 3 months sometimes between March and June. I’m quite curious how will I like it.
Funnily, for the last few weeks I have felt again some enthusiasm into doing math, exactly which I’ve been missing for quite a long time. I’ve started reading Milne’s text about modular forms, and so far I’ve enjoyed it. If it doesn’t leave me, I think it’s rather probable you’d see me at Purdue again in Fall (but it of course also depends on how I like work at McKinsey). After all, I always considered math to be a good occupation – but only for someone who can enjoy doing it.
And of course, I’m doing lots of fun things and meeting old and making new friends. I spent the New Year’s Eve with people from Velký vůz, an organization for experiential education; went caving on another weekend; and started organizing the cipher-solving competition Krtčí norou (Through Mole’s Burrow).
And we have a gorgeous winter here in the Czech Republic with lots of snow – I’m going skiing soon!
Víťův blog 