Voice of Experience: Jennifer McLaughlin, Senior Executive, CMT Operating Group, North America, Accenture

By Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

Jennifer McLaughlin has spent a two-decade career at Accenture, all of it working with clients in the communications area. It should be no surprise, then, that one of McLaughlin’s key lessons is the importance of clear communication.

“One of the things I’ve learned in my career is how openly you should communicate. When I was younger, I would second guess and form opinions about how people would receive what I had to say – instead of just openly communicating.”

That went for client work and her own professional needs – like flex work, she explained. “But I’ve learned that when you’re direct, you just get a better result. There’s more transparency about where you stand with others and that’s important.”

Career Path

McLaughlin joined Accenture in 1992, right after graduating from Rutgers with a degree in Industrial Engineering. “I had a family interest in communications, because both of my parents had lifelong careers in telecommunications,” she recalled. Right from the start, she requested a role in telecommunications. She stayed there for 20 years – until recently shifting to the cable industry.

Her proudest achievement so far, McLaughlin continued, was being named a senior executive – an ambition she had since beginning her career. “When I came into the industry I was very impressed with Accenture. Literally, since I came in, I aspired to be what was called ‘partner’ at that time.”

She continued, “So I marched straight toward it. I set a goal and I achieved it, and I’m very proud of that.”

Currently McLaughlin is working on a new challenge, having taken on a client in the cable industry for the first time. “I recently changed roles into a new industry and new client for me. I’m working on forming new relationships and that’s very exciting.”

The move came as part of an effort to ensure the company was spreading its expertise throughout different industries – and to ensure she was moving forward in her own career. “We’ve got to move folks around to meet the best interests of our clients and cultivate that diversity of thought,” she explained. “It was also the time in my career when I should spread the learnings I’ve had and do different things. Everything we do at Accenture is a balance between professional progress and meeting client needs.”

Women in Consulting

Are there barriers for women in consulting? McLaughlin replied, “It’s hard to say no to that, but I think there are some creative ways to work around the barriers that are out there.”

She explained, “I think, mainly, the challenge is that we’re a services industry. We go to our clients and we do things bigger, faster, stronger, better. From a flexibility standpoint, it’s hard to bring that to bear, and provide that balance that many women need.”

“I think there is a desire to offer that flexibility – but we need women to feel empowered to ask for it. We need to feel that our needs are an equal contribution to the equation.”

For women beginning their careers in the industry, she advised, “It’s corny – but have fun. And learn a lot. This industry is unique; you have the ability to work in many different industries with talented people who have different skill sets. There’s diversity of thought and diversity of background.”

She continued, “That said, don’t be intimidated by being somewhat of a minority – because we still are a minority in this industry. I’m often still one of two women in the room. But I do not ever feel I’ve been negatively or positively affected because of my gender. You’re an equal party and others view you that way, so view yourself that way.”

Women at Accenture

McLaughlin is involved with several initiatives at the company designed to advance and retain women. She also founded the company’s Metro New York Women’s Mentoring Group. She explained, “We have very broad programs nationally when it comes to mentoring and networking. But about twelve or fifteen years ago I decided to try to start something more casual.”

The group, open to all women in communications in the region, continues today with six or seven programs each year to help women connect with one another for advice and mentoring. “For at least two events a year, I try to bring in the most senior executives in the practice, so the women at the more junior levels get the chance to meet with them.”

The junior group gets exposure to the senior executives, and the more senior folks get the opportunity to meet with the next generation. “None of them are shy!” she said. “And the senior leadership really gets a chance to get the pulse of what’s happening with the women in communications in New York.”

She also recently took over the New Jersey sponsorship of Accenture’s relationship with the non-profit Dress for Success. In addition to the collection of garments, she said, Accenture connects women participating in the organization’s programs with Accenture women as part of a mentoring program. “I think the Accenture women actually get more out of it than the mentees,” she said.

In Her Personal Time

Outside work, McLaughlin says she enjoys spending time with her two children, aged six and three. “My kids are my greatest accomplishment,” she said. “And of course I love my husband too,” she said with a laugh.

“My kids, without a doubt, come first. I’m thankful to work at Accenture, and to be able to feel that way and also have a challenging and successful career.”