Richard Foster

'63 BS '65 MS '65 PhD Engineering and Applied Sciences // Senior Partner Emeritus at McKinsey & Company Inc

Richard Foster is Senior Partner Emeritus at McKinsey & Company Inc. He received his BS in '63, his MS in '65, and his PhD in Engineering and Applied Sciences at Yale in '65.

Dick's career is a fascinating example of how a PhD, particularly in an engineering discipline, can open doors to diverse career paths in industry, including management consulting. His transition from chemical engineering into the consulting world at McKinsey & Company showcases a strategic shift that many PhDs make when seeking new challenges. If you're thinking about a similar career pivot, Foster’s journey provides valuable insights into the process.

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The Yale Grad Journeys: Insights on Career Paths and Personal Growth is an interview series that connects current GSAS students with alumni who have leveraged their graduate degrees to achieve success in various fields, including academic administration, law, consulting, business, government service, and more. Through these discussions, participants highlight how their Yale experiences equipped them for their future careers, share which valuable skills they acquired while in graduate school, share networking advice, and reflect on the significance of being a Yale alum.