Megan
Operations Research Associate Consultant, Princeton Office
Education
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
B.S. in Engineering, 2005
Activities at Princeton: Princeton Evangelical Fellowship, helped run a student agency, Special Occasions, and through Tau Beta Pi, gave tours of the Engineering School to prospective students.
Memories of Princeton: Some of my fondest memories of Princeton involve working on problem sets for various classes with my friends. We would work together trying to solve a complex mathematical problem or to determine the best way to run an orange juice company. Half of the time was spent working and the other half laughing and having conversations unrelated to the problem set; these times allowed me to really get to know people.
Hometown
Gore, VA
ZS Career Path
Operations Research Analyst Intern, 2004
Operations Research Analyst, 2005
OR Associate Consultant, 2007
On the work
"One of my first projects as an associate involved assisting a pharmaceutical company in changing the size of one of its sales forces. During the first phase of this project, I developed simulations and ran analyses to determine the appropriate number of sales reps and where throughout the country they should be located. Then, we met with various individuals from the client to refine the geographies the sales reps would cover. Finally, I ran a process that assigned current sales reps to these newly configured geographies using a series of rules that involved metrics such as performance and tenure. This project allowed me to gain experience in a variety of ZS practice areas. Also, it enabled me to see tangible results arise from the work we completed; the client instituted our sales rep assignments, and the geographies today are still the same as the ones we created.
"Currently, I am working on a project for a pharmaceutical sales force that is based in hospitals. Due to a lack of data for the doctors in these hospitals, it has historically been difficult for the sales reps to determine how best to allocate their time and resources. We utilized a software package developed by ZS to have the sales reps answer questions about the doctors in the hospitals for which they are responsible. Then, we developed an algorithm that assigns a score to each of these doctors, and based on these scores, the sales reps are provided with a recommended number of visits for each doctor. We upload this information into the software and allow the sales reps to adjust these recommendations. My role throughout this project is to work with the ZS Software Development team to customize the software to meet the needs of our client, process the data and run the algorithm to assign the scores, and refresh the data in the software. Additionally, I provide help desk support to the sales reps, answering questions or resolving problems they may have with the software."
On ZS values
Do the Right Thing: “I was working with a consultant on a project that was due in a few days. However, the client continued to add to the scope of the project such that it was too much for my consultant and me to finish by the deadline. We asked some other associates and consultants to help with the analysis. Despite the fact that they all had their own deadlines in the near future, they spent long hours at the office for the next few days helping us finish the analysis in time for our meeting. I now know that this is the rule, not the exception at ZS; whenever you have a question or need help, people will set aside what they are doing and provide any assistance that they can."
On life outside work
“I think it is important to devote time to interests and activities outside of work; this helps me be more productive during the time that I am working. Outside of work, I enjoy watching sports, reading, and cooking. Additionally, ZSers are always planning fun, non-work related activities, whether its going to a movie, going out to dinner, having a game night, or just hanging out."
On the Princeton office
“To me, two of the best parts about Princeton are its location and size. Princeton is close to Philadelphia and New York City, allowing weekend trips to visit college friends and explore these big cities. There are also more wide open and natural settings within reach of Princeton; I usually go home to the Appalachian mountains one weekend a month, or closer to Princeton, there are a variety of parks, beaches, and skiing locations. As a medium sized town, Princeton falls in between these two extremes and offers a good mix of the two."