Lombardy (Italy) health agency project

Our Varese, Italy program, in the Lombardy Region, partners with a regional health agency, ATS Insubria, which is tasked with identifying and planning for the needs of citizens in its territory by fostering the integration of healthcare services into the region. This is done through facilitating contracts with public and private service providers and ensuring achievement of objectives set forth in a socio-health plan. 

All Beacon projects are led by an experienced consultant, having worked at McKinsey, Bain, or BCG, and studied at top institutions such as Harvard Business School. The project lead will guide participants through the entire project, coordinate client interactions, and provide Fellows with personal insights into the life of a top-tier consultant.

Choose YOUR dates and program duration:

Washington D.C. Children’s national hospital project

Our Washington, D.C. program, which ran in 2021, 2022 and 2023, partners with Children’s National Hospital to offer a learning experience that gives participants exposure to the important work of one of the top pediatric healthcare institutions in the US. The Child Health Advocacy Institute (CHAI) at CNH started over 30 years ago as the first hospital-based policy center to focus on child health. Using a population health approach and managing the Child Health Data Lab, CHAI works on the ground and with policymakers to combat D.C. kids most pressing health issues and to address disparities in childhood opportunity. Examples of past project components for Children’s National Hospital include providing in-depth data analysis on children’s health outcomes across D.C.’s eight Wards, summarizing key policies related to racial equity in healthcare, evaluating the statistical relevance of the Childhood Opportunity Index, and developing qualitative data collection guides.

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Madrid (Spain) Airbus Project

Beacon has partnered with Airbus for several years, including programs in 2019, 2022, and 2023. Airbus is the world’s largest manufacturer of airliners. With roughly 180 locations and 12,000 direct suppliers globally, Airbus segments include commercial aircraft, helicopter, defense, security, and space. The divisions are propelled forward by Airbus Innovation, inventing new possibilities for the future of flight: from manned and unmanned vehicles for urban mobility, to hybrid and electric propulsion systems for cleaner aviation.

All Beacon projects are led by an experienced consultant, having worked at McKinsey, Bain, or BCG, and studied at top institutions such as Harvard Business School. The project lead will guide participants through the entire project, coordinate client interactions, and provide Fellows with personal insights into the life of a top-tier consultant.

Choose YOUR dates and program duration:

Spain + Italy

Take advantage of the opportunity to visit two amazing destinations and complete projects for two elite organizations with this multi-country program option. Begin your experience in Madrid, Spain with Airbus, the world’s largest manufacturer of airliners, and complete your time in Varese, Italy with a regional health agency, ATS Insurbia.

All Beacon projects are led by an experienced consultant, having worked at McKinsey, Bain, or BCG, and studied at top institutions such as Harvard Business School. The project lead will guide participants through the entire project, coordinate client interactions, and provide Fellows with personal insights into the life of a top-tier consultant.

Choose YOUR dates and program duration:

What’s included:

Beacon programs are robust in terms of the consulting exposure, training, and extended learning opportunities that prepare students well for an internship or full-time consulting role. Housing accommodations, elite brand host, MBB Project Lead with experience from McKinsey, Bain or BCG, 24/7 on-site support staff, travel health insurance, cultural excursions, and more are included. View the full list here.

Payment:

Deposit: The first $900 of the program fee is non-refundable and paid upfront to reserve a Fellow’s spot on the program, regardless of the city and date chosen, and counts towards the total program fee.

Rest of the fee: There are two easy ways to pay: Either, pay in full (upon signing up), or in monthly payments (between signing up and the actual program).

We do not offer scholarships, but in addition to being able to pay over many months, we strongly encourage our students to consider fundraising, since many alumni have very successfully fundraised most or all of their program fees, even in just a few weeks, especially via GoFundMe. Feel free to bring this up in the application process for any insight you need.

Learn more on our Fees and Policies page.

Refunds & Credit Policy:

The $900 deposit is not refundable, but it will carry over as program credit (except in the case of last minute withdrawals, as seen below). See the full policy below:

• >90 days before program: Full refund, deposit counted as credit toward future programs.

• <=90 (but >45) days before program: No refund, 100% of paid fees (including deposit) counted as credit toward future programs.

• <=45 days before program: No refund, 20% of paid fees (including deposit) counted as credit toward future programs.

Client: Airbus: the top aircraft manufacturer in the world

Project Lead: Viet, Harvard Business School MBA, 3 years at McKinsey

Team: 16 Fellows

Location: Madrid, Spain

Project: Beacon was asked to test the market for a cutting edge technology for Airbus; Fellows had to analyze competitors and potential customers in order to determine if this product had a viable market in the aerospace industry. 

Outcome: The Fellows were able to identify three potential industries for Airbus to focus their attention; they also outlined some next steps for the company to take in order to secure these potential customers. Airbus was given a detailed plan of action in order to capture the available market for their new product. 

2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024: Children's National Hospital is a returning client partner and is ranked among the leading healthcare institutions in the world. Building on the deliverables of the previous cohort, Beacon Fellows were assigned to one of two teams. One team conducted an in-depth data analysis of children's health outcomes within the primary and secondary service areas of Children’s National Hospital. They identified the census tracts with the lowest levels of childhood opportunity and determined which factors contribute most to the disparities in opportunity.

Another team developed focus group and interview guides to solicit input from community members on the question of improving childhood opportunity in their neighborhoods. This team also identified key stakeholders and prepared a qualitative report on the neighborhoods with the lowest opportunity scores.

The project was designed to both support the team at Children's National Hospital in their mid to long-term projects, and to enable Fellows to develop a wide range of consulting skills. A limited number of merit-based, fully funded Fellowships were offered through our university partnerships in Handshake. As in all our programs, this projects allowed Beacon Fellows to show future applications to consulting firms that they have consulting interest and ability.

Summer 2020: ThinkWell is a leading nonprofit organization in health financing and systems development. Based in Washington, D.C., they work to improve healthcare in low and middle income countries, aligning the public and private sectors and forming teams on the ground to develop creative solutions for each country's unique capacities and political infrastructure.

Beacon Fellows worked on a high-level strategy project, providing frameworks and detailed case studies for ThinkWell's leadership team as they develop their niche in the market. In the process, Beacon Fellows gained exposure to the market of global nonprofits that provide technical assistance, innovative financing models, and expert advice for healthcare initiatives in developing countries.

This project was extremely interesting for students interested in innovative finance, healthcare policy, nonprofit business models, and public-private partnerships. As in all our programs, this projects allowed Beacon Fellows to show future applications to consulting firms that they have consulting interest and ability.

AIRBUS: MADRID

Beacon has partnered with Airbus for several years, including programs in 2019, 2022, and 2023. Airbus is the largest aeronautics and space company in Europe and a top 10 defense company worldwide. With roughly 180 locations and 12,000 direct suppliers globally, Airbus segments include commercial aircraft, helicopter, defense, security, and space.

Roche: Barcelona

As the world's largest biotech company, Roche creates innovative medicines, cancer treatments, and diagnostic tests for hospitals and labs around the world. With a unique combination of strengths in its two divisions – Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics – Roche is a multinational company based in Basel, Switzerland.

vueling: barcelona

Vueling is one of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines and a member of the prestigious International Airlines Group, along with British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia. Overall, Vueling operates 117 aircraft serving more than 360 routes to 136 airports in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, with nearly 12 million departing seats per year in Barcelona alone. As Vueling continues to expand across Europe, it has also developed significant bases in Paris and Rome.

Children’s National Hospital: washington, DC

Children’s National Hospital has been consistently ranked one of the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1870 and serving the D.C. metro area, Children’s National is a respected leader in pediatric research and advocacy for children. The Child Health Advocacy Institute (CHAI) started over 30 years ago as the first hospital-based policy center to focus on child health. Using a population health approach and managing the Child Health Data Lab, CHAI works on the ground and with policymakers to combat D.C. kids’ most pressing health issues and to address disparities in childhood opportunity.

UNICEF: GENEVA

UNICEF is one of the most recognizable social welfare organizations in the world. An agency of the United Nations, UNICEF works in over 190 countries to reach the children and young people in greatest need. The world’s largest provider of vaccines, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, quality education and skill-building, HIV prevention and treatment for mothers and babies, and the protection of children and adolescents from violence and exploitation. UNICEF is on the ground before, during, and after humanitarian emergencies, and over the past 75 years, they have been leading advocates for the rights of children.

Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo: Pavia

Policlinico San Matteo was founded in 1449, and is a short train or bus ride away from Milan. This public hospital has a strong university presence and is a general hospital that covers all aspects of medicine, and has a strong commitment to research, service, and teaching. This hospital was at the epicenter of the COVID-19 crisis, being one of the first to treat cases in the western hemisphere, and is one of the oldest and largest teaching hospitals in Europe.

Revolut: london

Revolut is a fintech unicorn (‘unicorn’ = a privately held startup valued at over $1 billion) based in London, England and founded in 2015. Valued at $5.5 billion during its most recent round of funding, Revolut is a fintech firm that has become known as a pioneer in digital banking, with over 12 million users on its mobile app as of January 2021.

CABIFY: MADRID

Cabify is the “Uber” of Europe & Latin America, and the ride-share company is Spain’s first unicorn start-up (i.e. a start-up valued at more than $1 billion). Cabify was founded on a high prioritization of sustainability and a unique attitude toward “Mobility-as-a-service,” and unlike Uber, is already on a fast track toward profitability.

NOKIA: BUDAPEST

Nokia Skypark, Nokia’s headquarters in Budapest, operates the Nokia Networks Global Technology Centre, one of Hungary's largest IT and telecommunications R&D centers. Nokia is a leader in multinational telecommunications, information technology, and consumer electronics.

the salvation army: washington, DC

The Salvation Army non-profit organization exists to meet human need wherever, whenever , and however they can. Beacon worked on an optimization project for their Red Kettle initiative that found a solution to increase profitability in one region by 13%.

Thinkwell: Washington, DC

ThinkWell is a leading nonprofit organization in health financing and systems development. Based in Washington, D.C., they work to improve healthcare in low and middle income countries, aligning the public and private sectors and forming teams on the ground to develop creative solutions for each country's unique capacities and political infrastructure.

Glovo: Barcelona

The “Uber Eats” of Europe, Glovo is an on-demand courier service that purchases, picks up, and delivers products ordered through its mobile app. Their aim is to give everyone easy access to anything in their city, having a sustainable impact on the economy, society and environment.

Lifesaver: London

Lifesaver Power LTD is an innovative start-up working towards a more sustainable model for society and revolutionizing the future of renewable energy on the move. Their mission is to provided fairer, cleaner, circular power for both people and the planet.

webhelp: barcelona

Webhelp is a leading customer experience outsourcing company with a global footprint in more than 36 countries, 140 locations and 50,000 employees.

fintonic: Madrid

Fintonic is a leading personal finance application for organizing accounts and saving money. Winner of the Google Award for mobile innovation, they serve more than 700,000 users.