Dynamic PhD duo: Nektar & Quentin

What do PhDs bring to the table in the consulting world? For Quentin and Nektar, it’s about finding the balance between analytical depth and practical results. In this blog, they share how they’re doing just that in their current product modelling project.

“My journey to Addestino was about finding balance between creativity and practical impact,” new team member Quentin kicks off. After completing his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at ULB, he chose to specialise further with a master’s in physics engineering. “Along the way, I also took a few business and entrepreneurship courses, thinking I might want to move in a more applied direction or perhaps even start a company.” Eventually, Quentin opted for a PhD at the intersection of physics and electronics, in a subfield of wireless communication physics that gave him plenty of flexibility to design his own research. “I felt that I wanted to gain more specialised experience and build expertise in this field first. During my PhD, I also worked briefly for a research spin-off, which gave me a taste of professional life beyond academia.”

“When Joyce from the Addestino HR team reached out, her description of the company and the potential role immediately caught my attention. I was looking for a workplace that would help me grow all-round – not just technically, but also in terms of soft skills – and where I wouldn’t be pigeonholed as purely a technical expert. Consulting seemed like a logical choice, and as I progressed through the interview process, I realised that Addestino’s career tracks would be just my cup of tea. Seeing that Addestino already had several PhDs on board, like Nektar, gave me confidence that this was a place where my background would be truly valued.”

Nektar, who joined in 2022 after earning his own doctorate, chips in: “Our three-way approach to career tracks is a real differentiator. Some PhD colleagues are motivated by complex technical challenges, while others find more meaning in applying their analytical mindset more broadly across different industries. All paths are equally possible here – and equally valued.”

Currently, Quentin and Nektar are working together on a product modelling project as part of a transformation program for a long-standing client. Nektar explains: “The goal is to rationalize, streamline and document our client’s product portfolio to create a coherent model that captures their entire existing offering. It’s a bit of detective work; the client’s product managers, salespeople and engineers each hold their own piece of the puzzle.”

Quentin and Nektar have a clear division of labour: Nektar manages the client relationship and has ownership of the project, while Quentin focuses on analytical deep dives. For Quentin, this project also meant a crash course in real-world consulting. “I was thrown into what is really one of Addestino’s bread-and-butter projects,” he says. “It’s fast-paced, with lots of stakeholders and a need for both broad and deep analysis. We have about four months to deliver insights that are not just thorough, but actionable.”

“It’s reassuring to have someone like Nektar by my side, who’s seen it all before,” says Quentin. “When something isn’t clear, he’s always available to discuss it. I’ve learned a lot just by observing how he communicates with clients, for example.” For Nektar, working with Quentin is just as rewarding. “I recognise a lot of myself in him,” he says. “You want to use your technical training, but you also crave variety and human interaction. Seeing Quentin’s growth, from listening in meetings to leading parts of the analysis, is really satisfying. Quentin’s PhD background means he can take vague instructions and turn them into something functional. You can trust him with big chunks of work and know it’ll come back polished.”

Nektar continues by pointing out the value of their teamwork under tight deadlines. “Combining different strengths is what counts,” he says. “My experience helps keep track of the bigger picture, while Quentin’s analytical sharpness allows for fast and thorough execution of sub-analyses. Together, we just get things done faster.”

The fast-paced environment at Addestino contrasts sharply with academic life. “During a PhD, project progress and individual learning are typically relatively slow and incremental,” says Quentin. “Here, everything moves fast.”

“Personal growth isn’t one-size-fits-all,” Nektar adds. “Some PhDs move up quickly; others prefer to explore different types of projects first. What matters most to us is that their trajectory matches their strengths and ambitions.”

For Quentin, knowing there’s a community of other PhDs within Addestino is motivating. “It’s encouraging to see others who’ve made the same transition. It proves that there’s room to evolve, and that your academic background is seen as an asset rather than a limitation.”