Meet Mauricio: From Consulting in Colombia to US-Scale Work at Gratia

Hi Mauricio! Excited to chat. To start, what’s your professional background before Gratia?

I have worked in consulting for most of my career. I started at Oval, one of the main consulting firms in Colombia and the LATAM/Caribbean region. Then I worked at Mastercard Advisors in Colombia. After that, I spent time building my own projects, and later I worked at a startup focused on execution and delivery.

What made you decide it was the right moment to join Gratia?

I joined Gratia because I wanted to work with top global consulting firms, in the largest market (the US), in English. I also wanted to grow my network, earn in USD, and have more control over how much I work.

When you say “more control,” what does that mean in practice?

My workload is not the same every day. Some days I work more, and some days I work less. Remote work helps me plan my day and my week based on that reality.

Remote work can still be exhausting. How do you avoid feeling drained?

Remote flexibility helps me manage my energy. For example, when I traveled to New York, I reduced my hours. I worked around three hours each morning, and I kept the rest of the day for personal time. This flexibility helps me stay engaged without feeling drained.

What has surprised you most about the types of projects you’ve worked on through Gratia?

I have worked on different projects and with different companies. That has given me exposure I did not have before, and the variety keeps me motivated.

You mentioned learning faster because the scale is different. What feels different about US-market work?

I am learning how businesses operate in very large markets like the US. The problems are different from what I was used to. The data is also on a different scale, with much larger volumes and longer history. Working with that kind of data builds new skills fast.

How would you describe the support you get from the team at Gratia?

I get feedback often, and it is practical. Gratia also focuses on improving talent through upskilling.

How does that support show up in your performance and pace over time?

Because I can adjust my workload when needed, I do not feel the same burnout pressure that is common in traditional consulting or high finance. The expectation is strong performance, but with flexibility and continuous learning.

If you had to summarize your biggest advice for a new hire to ramp quickly, what would it be?

Three things: proactivity, visibility, and curiosity.

• Proactivity: propose ideas and take ownership.

• Visibility: tell your manager what you are doing, what you will deliver, and when. Share drafts early.

• Curiosity: learn new tools, ask questions, watch short tutorials, and keep improving your workflow.

Last one: what would you tell someone who is considering Gratia?

It is worth taking the step. You get flexibility, growth, and exposure to new projects. You also get feedback that helps you improve, and you can shape your workload based on your goals and your capacity.