Mike McGurr
, Senior AssociateWhy did you choose Booz Allen?
I chose Booz Allen because I was very comfortable with the people I met during the interview process. I left active duty as a Captain in the Marine Corps, and I found that my manager and project lead also had military backgrounds. Beyond that, they also embraced the values I’d come to expect in a work environment.
Why have you chosen to stay at Booz Allen?
I enjoy the people I work with, and what I do is interesting, which goes a long way for an engineer. What we deal with tends to be cutting edge—some of it has never been done before—especially when it comes to the technology we’re using. I also wanted to stay in the Marine Corps Reserve, and Booz Allen accommodated that. The firm handled things well when I was deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I went from being a consultant, to being in uniform, to being a consultant again—with no issues.
What type of work do you do at Booz Allen?
I’m a project manager and market developer on multiple federal government projects, supervising about 20 staff members. My work involves sensor systems development and signal processing. My team builds solutions, and we support various program offices that are doing the same.
What excites you about your work?
The work I do is cutting edge and very relevant. The warfighters’ needs change regularly, and that requires us to be innovative. I can always see a clear need for what we’re developing. We have a reputation for making good on our promises, and clients value that.
Do you have a mentor at Booz Allen?
My managers are always open to discussion, and I’ve seen that the firm’s formal mentoring programs work well. I also serve as a mentor, providing career guidance and advising my staff and others on handling program challenges.
What differentiates Booz Allen from other companies that you could work for? What makes Booz Allen special?
I would say that what differentiates Booz Allen is the caliber of the people. Whether I’m working with engineers, program managers, or other staff members, I’ve been very impressed with the level of talent across the board. Booz Allen cares for its people and their careers. The firm’s hiring managers are careful to make a good match between the work and the individual’s skills and interests.
How has Booz Allen helped you be ready for what’s next in your career?
As a consulting firm, we perform a broad range of work, from marketing and proposal efforts to complex engineering tasks. We’re always encouraged to become involved in things outside our comfort zones, which is a good way to become more well rounded. Both the variety and opportunity to take on new challenges help me be ready for what’s next.
How does the work you do help your clients be ready for what’s next? How has your work and your team’s work made an impact for your client?
We stay on the cusp of next-generation technologies and capabilities, and we work with clients to ensure that our solutions are innovative so that they stay one step ahead. Some of what we do is sensitive and strategically important to the U.S. Department of Defense, so I consider it an honor to be part of this kind of work.
Can you talk about a time when you saw one or more of our Core Values displayed?
Client service stands out. When there’s a discussion about different client objectives, it might be easy to take the side of the firm. But what people here do instead is recommend the path that makes the most sense for the customer. Clients appreciate and respect that about Booz Allen, and that’s why you so often hear the firm referred to as an “honest broker” and why our clients trust us.
