2027 Utilities Consulting Intern

West Monroe; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

West Monroe is seeking Consulting Interns to join our Utilities Practice in a hybrid Chicago-area role. You’ll work with senior consultants on strategy, technology evaluation, and business process optimization to deliver value for energy clients.

You’ll gain exposure to AI tools and data-driven methods while supporting workshops, client requirements, and transformation initiatives. Eligible candidates graduate between Dec 2027 and July 2028.

Qualifications

• GPA of 3.0 minimum.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.
• Reside within 50 miles of the assigned office with a hybrid work model.

Responsibilities

• Assist in strategy development for utility initiatives including OT and customer-facing software.
• Analyze and document current-state processes to identify improvements.
• Manage dependencies between project workstreams and parallel initiatives.
• Support workshops, capture requirements, and present deliverables to stakeholders.
• Assist in driving change management for large transformational utility programs.
• Collaborate to apply lessons learned and best practices to client service.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Communication Skills

Team Collaboration

Curiosity about AI

Education

Bachelor’s degree in progress

Job description

Launch Your Consulting Journey with West Monroe

West Monroe is seeking Consulting Interns to join our Utilities Practice. Utilities Consultants work closely with client teams as an integral part of our projects throughout the project lifecycle. Their role includes strategy and planning, technology evaluation, business process optimization, technology implementation, change management, and program leadership.

As a Utilities Consulting Intern, you will gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies reshaping the energy and utilities sector, allowing you to develop new skill sets. Working alongside senior consultants, Utilities Consulting Interns contribute to the development and execution of strategic business solutions for the rapidly transforming energy and utilities industry.

This role entails supporting major initiatives aimed at improving operating efficiency, digitization, improving resiliency, integrating distributed energy resources, and enhancing customer experience. Our Utilities Practice is dedicated to driving positive industry change while fostering professional growth and mentorship. Working with diverse and cross-collaborative teams, you will have opportunities to engage with senior-level executives and take on challenging roles.

Primary Responsibilities

Client Delivery

• Assist in strategy development for various utility initiatives, including operational technology (OT), telecommunications assets, customer-facing software solutions, business IT systems, and renewable energy technologies.
• Analyze and document current-state processes, identifying areas for improvement and supporting process optimization efforts.
• Manage dependencies between project workstreams and parallel initiatives.
• Support project leadership in conducting workshops, capturing client requirements, and presenting key deliverables to stakeholders.
• Assist in driving change management for large transformational utility programs.
• Collaborate with colleagues to apply lessons learned from past projects and industry best practices to enhance client service.

Business and Practice Development

• Support business development and sales activities by assisting with project proposals, presentations, and engaging in new client activities.
• Contribute to the development of new methodologies, industry thought leadership, and innovative solutions for client engagements.

Culture and People Development

• Participate in initiatives and events that align with the mission and culture of our Utilities Practice and West Monroe.
• Engage in inclusion and diversity initiatives across the firm.
• Support pro-bono and philanthropy initiatives in your local West Monroe office.

AI and Technology

• Leverage AI tools to accelerate analysis, synthesize complex information, and support data-driven recommendations for clients, exercising sound judgment in evaluating outputs.
• Apply AI technologies (e.g., generative AI, automation tools, data models) to enhance insights, improve delivery efficiency, and elevate the quality of client outcomes.

What You’ll Bring To The Team

• Sharp analytical thinking and an interest in solving complex problems
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• A collaborative mindset and enthusiasm for working as part of a team
• Ability to stay organized and manage priorities in a dynamic environment
• Demonstrated leadership through academics, extracurricular activities, or prior work experience
• Curiosity about emerging technologies, including AI, and a passion for continuous learning and innovation

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in progress, with an expected graduation date between December 2027 and July 2028
• Bachelor’s degree in progress, with an expected graduation date between December 2027 and August 2028
• You will be asked to confirm your expected graduation month and year at the offer stage and prior to beginning your internship
• We do request & review official transcripts from your school prior to the start of our internship program
• If your expected graduation date falls outside of this range or changes, you are not eligible for this internship
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Legally authorized to work in the United States without limitation or sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., OPT, H-1B visa, TN, etc.)
• Reside within 50 miles of your assigned office prior to your start date; our culture emphasizes team collaboration within a hybrid work model
• Ability and willingness to travel Monday – Thursday (up to 50%); travel expenses covered by West Monroe
• Experience integrating AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) into day-to-day workflows to enhance productivity and insight generation, coupled with strong critical thinking to assess accuracy, mitigate bias, and ensure high-quality outputs

Preferred Qualifications

Majors in:

• Business Administration
• Chemical Engineering
• Economics
• Electrical Engineering
• Environmental Studies
• Finance
• Mechanical Engineering
• Passion for the rapidly changing utility industry, emergent energy technologies, utility operations management, and public policy

Join Our Team and Make a Lasting Impact!

Based on pay transparency guidelines, the pay rate for this role is $40.00.

Other consultancies talk at you. At West Monroe, we work with you.

We're a global business and technology consulting firm passionate about creating measurable value for our clients, delivering real-world solutions.

The combination of business and technology is not new, but how we bring them together is unique. We're fluent in both. We know that technology alone is not the answer, but how we apply it is. We rely on data to constantly adapt and solve new challenges. Actions that work today with outcomes that generate value for years to come.

At West Monroe, we zero in on the heart of the opportunity, getting to results faster and preparing people for what's next.

You'll feel the difference in how we work. We show up personally. We're right there in the room with you, co-creating through the challenges. With West Monroe, collaboration isn't a lofty promise, but a daily action. We work together with you to turn vision into clear action with lasting impact.

West Monroe is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

We believe in treating each employee and applicant for employment fairly and with dignity. We base our employment decisions on merit, experience, and potential, without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state or local law. To learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion at West Monroe, visitwww.westmonroe.com/inclusion. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in our recruiting process, please inquire by sending an email to [e-mail].

Please review our current policy regarding use of generative artificial intelligence during the application process. Additionally, West Monroe uses the BrightHire platform to record live interviews so our team can capture notes more accurately, stay focused on the conversation, and continually improve our interview process. You can review our privacy notice for more information about this process and how recordings are used. If you have any questions, reach out to [e-mail].

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read West Monroe's Notice at Collection for California residents, provided pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and linkedhere.