Name: Aidan Burkhardt
Majors: Economics and Psychology
Year: Junior
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
For Aidan Burkhardt, a junior at the University of Pittsburgh, a recent Panther Shadow visit to Accenture offered more than just a glimpse into a potential workplace. It gave him a clear sense of direction to find his next steps.
Aidan chose Pitt because it allowed him to stay close to home while being part of a campus community he already loved. As a dual major in Economics and Psychology, he has always been drawn to problem solving while serving his community. Economics helps him understand systems and structure, while psychology gives him the insight into how people think and make decisions. Together those interests have sparked his growing curiosity about consulting, data analytics, and the future of AI in business.
Before his first Panther Shadow visit to Accenture, Aidan did his homework.
Using LinkedIn, he researched Accenture and explored the company’s alumni network, reaching out to Pitt alumni to learn more about the company culture and how to make the most of his experience. Those conversations helped him feel more prepared and gave him advice on how to follow up after the visit to stay connected with employees and build relationships.
He was looking to get a feel for the workplace environment and learn about the personalities of employees at a place like Accenture. Aidan was initially drawn to Accenture because of its work as a consulting firm helping businesses solve complex problems, but through his research, he learned that the company’s values were just as compelling as its work. He was impressed by the organization’s commitment to supporting nonprofits, smaller businesses, and environmental initiatives, which aligned with his own desire to build a career centered around helping others.
When the visit began, Aidan immediately appreciated how the visit was structured. Even though none of the students knew each other beforehand, the experience started with an icebreaker activity that helped everyone feel more comfortable connecting with each other and with Accenture employees. From there, students participated in a panel where they learned about roles at Accenture, career paths, and workplace culture.
One of the most memorable parts of the visit was a group case activity that gave students the opportunity to experience the kind of collaborative problem-solving consultants do every day. After working in teams on a mock case, students broke for lunch, continued conversations with employees, and then returned to complete their casework. For Aidan, the hands-on structure of the visit made the experience feel engaging and realistic.
What stood out most to him was how the workplace challenged some of his expectations. While he knew consulting could be a demanding field, he was unsure what it looked like in practice and what exactly he should do to pursue it. Instead of finding a rigid, one-size-fits-all environment, Aidan saw a workplace full of open-minded professionals who valued teamwork, encouraged different perspectives, and believed in exploring multiple options to arrive at the solution.
“The site visit gave me hope and clarity with the way I see my future,” Aidan explained. “It gave me a sense of direction about where to go from here.”
The experience not only gave him a better understanding of the field but also helped him reflect on his own strengths and areas of growth. By hearing from employees and participating in a mock case, Aidan left with a stronger sense oof what skills he wants to continue to improve as he prepares for future internships and long-term career opportunities.
Now, he feels more confident about where he is going next. Aidan is actively pursuing internship opportunities, with dozens of applications already submitted for the summer. He also has plans to start his own LLC this summer to gain more hands-on experience. No matter where his path leads him, he knows he wants to use his education and experience to help as many people as possible.
He strongly recommends the Panther Shadow Program to other Pitt students who want to learn more about what their future could look like.
“It was nice to see people who are interested in what I want to do, and are eager to help people,” said Aidan. “If you come in with questions and show them that you are genuinely interested in what they do, you should not be nervous to explore the things that will help you prepare for your future.”
For Aidan, the visit was more than just a day at Accenture. By stepping into a consulting environment and engaging directly with employees, he left with a clearer vision of his goals and a stronger sense of confidence in the path ahead.
Aidan highly recommends that all students consider the Panther Shadow or Shadow in Your City programs sponsored by the Career Center.
Story by Madison Bozik
