This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with a former McKinsey & Company associate who worked at the company for one and a half years. AdvertisementSome associate partners and partners were meanThe people at McKinsey were both the best and worst parts of my experience. The analysts and associates were all cool, but a few associate partners and partners were mean. I took a mental health break because I couldn't do it anymoreAfter about a year of working at McKinsey, I took a three-month mental health leave. But I also think it was going on mental health leave was inevitable, given the kind of people I ran into.

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Persons: I'd, It's, they'd, I've, hysterically, I'm, hasn't, would've, Jane Zhang Organizations: McKinsey & Company, McKinsey, Business, Excel, McKinsey couldn't Locations: janezhang@businessinsider.com