A day in the life of a young consultant at Gate One

As featured in the MCA 

Sara Mousa joined Gate One as an apprentice in 2024. We caught up with her to find out what it’s really like to balance a consulting career while studying, and what others considering the apprentice route could learn.

When I first considered a career in consulting, I expected the intensity. What I didn’t expect was just how varied and people-centred the work would actually be. While the pace can be demanding, I quickly realised that it’s this variety that creates such a dynamic environment. You’re constantly learning, collaborating with passionate people and growing in ways you don’t always anticipate. With the right mindset and support, what initially feels like a challenge often becomes the most rewarding opportunity for development. 

One of the most defining moments early in my career at Gate One was the chance to support a national pilot initiative focused on improving the family court system for vulnerable children in the UK. Working with multiple stakeholders, I was involved in collecting and analysing data, sharing insights and keeping the client informed throughout the process. Seeing how thoughtful analysis and collaboration could translate into tangible improvements was really eye-opening. This experience deepened my appreciation for consulting’s wider purpose in transforming insight into practical solutions that create meaningful and lasting change. Witnessing the real-world impact of my work was both humbling and inspiring, supporting my view in consulting as a genuine force for good. 

Gate One’s approach to AI has also shaped my role as an apprentice, far beyond using basic productivity tools. For example, initiatives such as Prof AI, our Havas AI learning and experimentation tool, has encouraged me to test, challenge and apply AI in real client work. This has strengthened my judgement on where AI genuinely adds value, while understanding where human insight is critical. I’m also excited about the rollout of AVA, Havas’ new global LLM Portal, which will give me more time back for more creative thinking and increased efficiency. 

Alongside ProfAI and using Microsoft Copilot day to day, I have also been able to support work on the development and use of Gate One’s AI adoption diagnostic tool. This helps clients assess their AI readiness by structuring potential use cases, surfacing risks, and highlighting where change is needed across their organisation. By testing and shaping functional recommendations before translating the AI diagnostic outputs into clear insights for a client, I gained first-thand insight into how AI can accelerate thinking without replacing it. Our team was able to focus on more meaningful client conversations that moved beyond abstract discussions of AI to practical, value‑driven next steps.  

As an apprentice, balancing client work alongside university studies can be really challenging. When I first started, I didn’t anticipate how intense assignment deadlines would become when combined with client work, and it often left me with less energy for my personal life. For me, clear communication, strong organisation, and a supportive environment made this much easier to manage. By planning carefully, being open about my capacity, and ensuring I focus on studying during the time dedicated to it, I’ve been able to manage my workload effectively and genuinely switch off during my time off. In addition, applying what I learn at university directly to my consulting projects adds real‑world relevance to my studies, helping me better understand how and why things are done at work. 

Being part of a purpose‑driven organisation, I always feel supported sharing ideas, and I’m confident in contributing to client discussions and asking questions. As a result, I take a more considered approach to problem-solving, often reframing challenges before moving to solutions, drawing inspiration from other industries, or exploring ideas under tight constraints. These approaches help me challenge my early assumptions, think more innovatively, and contribute more meaningfully to team discussions. 

For anyone considering a career in consulting, especially through the apprenticeship route, my advice would be stay curious, keep learning and don’t be afraid to share your ideas. Consulting offers countless opportunities to grow and make a real difference – how far you go is ultimately up to you.