Launch Your Career: The Associate Program at AlphaSights
What should the start of your career look like? Do you look for an introduction to the world of business and exposure to a wide variety of industries? A role offering autonomy and measurable personal impact? A clear path towards leading your own team and managing blue-chip client relationships in two years’ time? Running your own multimillion-dollar book of business in five years?
AlphaSights is the world’s knowledge partner, comprised of ambitious professionals committed to accelerating progress for our clients and our people alike. From the moment you join us as an Associate, you’ll have significant autonomy and personal responsibility. You’ll receive training and professional development opportunities to help you excel in your role. Hard work, drive, and a commitment to delivering results will put you on a path to becoming a Manager in around two years from joining us, and a Vice President in around five.
All along, you’ll be working in the company of like-minded, driven colleagues from across the globe: we work as one global team that’s dedicated to growing our business, improving ourselves, supporting one another, and celebrating wins together. Our alumni go on to join some of the world’s most prestigious companies or pursue further study at top graduate schools.
Apply HERE in Handshake
International Graduate School Virtual Fair on May 26
Learn how to submit a successful application to some of the world’s most competitive institutions and bring your academic passion to the world stage
17 exceptional international universities 6 countries
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Time: 7:00pm ET / 4:00 pm PT
https://www.airr-na.org/events/virtual-grad-fair-2020/
Free for all attendees
Conversation with Aaron de Toledo, Consultant at Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
Graduation Year: 2016
Major: Economics
Minor: Political Science, Philosophy
Thank you very much, Aaron, for taking the time to share your career path with us. Could you give us a brief introduction to your day-to-day job? How have your role and responsibilities evolved as you progressed from an associate to a consultant? My current day-to-day role is effectively a project leader. I manage teams in our West Coast Private Equity practice, where we focus on transactional due diligence (both buyside and sellside) as well as portfolio strategy work. Prior to joining the Private Equity team on a more permanent basis about 6 months ago, I was able to gain a wide range of experience across industries as an Associate and Consultant. I worked in a variety of industries from technology to financial services, industrial goods and even some local pro-bono work on homelessness. I also got the opportunity to work in Singapore for four months on a digital transformation, all the while learning how to deliver my individual portion of the assignment more independently.
As I became a consultant, my responsibilities grew beyond stand-alone tasks/modules. In addition to being assigned my own portion of the research, I started to be given responsibility across the team, managing more junior teammates, and being more active in communicating with clients. Beginning this year, I fully transitioned into the project leader role, where I have taken on responsibility for day-to-day team management and execution of our projects.
In which areas have you grown the most in your three years at BCG? What part of your job do you find most rewarding to your personal development? The two areas I have had the most growth in are developing a confident communication style and mentoring young teammates. In terms of confidence, at BCG I often have to communicate with clients who are much more senior and come across as an expert in the process. Through repetition, I have developed these communication skills and I am now able to confidently articulate my perspectives to clients even under uncertain circumstances.
In terms of mentorship, in a high-turnover industry like consulting, you start being looked to for guidance and feedback pretty early on and I started helping out younger associates during the later period of my associate tenure. As I became a consultant, I played a more formal role in BCG’s learning and development team. I facilitated internal trainings and helped new associates to get up to speed on my projects. Now, in a more formal management role, I have the opportunity to work with (and hopefully develop) 3-4 associates and consultants at a time. It is incredibly rewarding and one of things I enjoy the most about the job.
How can students from Liberal Arts backgrounds stand out in consulting interviews? Notwithstanding the current environment, my view is that as a graduate from a Liberal Arts college, you are not necessarily going to distinguish yourself with technical knowledge derived from a business-oriented courses relative to an applicant from a business program. What you do bring to the table (which I would argue is even more important than technical knowledge) is that you are a well-rounded candidate with a wide variety of academic experiences and experience telling stories, which is an essential skill.
To demonstrate your versatility during the “fit/behavioral” portion of the interview, I always suggest preparing ~5 personal stories in advance, each that you can succinctly tell in about three minutes. Collectively, the stories should provide a full picture of your experiences and by planning in advance, you can ensure that each story display a different strength or experience rather than conveying the same experience multiple times for different questions. At the end of the day, the “fit/behavioral” portion of the interview process is about communicating your story succinctly, not just answering the specific questions (which just serve as prompts). With a little practice, you should be able to tailor most of your stories slightly to fit any set of questions you are asked and ensure your story comes across regardless what questions you are asked.
On the case interview side, regardless of your academic background, practice is important to ensure you are comfortable with the format. Yet students should also realize that firms are not looking for formulaic answers. There are certain structural rules that can help students to organize their thoughts, but ultimately case interviews are more of an art than a science. This is where your liberal arts education can really come out. It is about showing your creativity and critical thinking rather than your ability to execute a rigid framework. If you do not have experience with the industry you are being asked about, draw parallels from industries you are familiar with and explicitly tell the interviewers what assumptions you make. There is no expectation that you have relevant industry experience and the case interview is really testing your ability to think in a clear, structured manner and creatively draw on past experiences to aid you in getting to the answer.
This series is coordinated by Xiaoli Jin ’19. Look for more alumni profiles each week. You can connect with Xiaoli on LinkedIn.
If you are interested to interview alumni and contribute to this series, please contact Xiaoli Jin 2019′ on Midd2Midd.
In this time of social distancing, we are all looking for new ways to stay connected, and Midd2Midd is one of them! Midd2Midd connects Middlebury students, alumni, and parents, supporting mentoring, networking, and engagement within the Middlebury community around the world. Midd2Midd is your place to make things happen. Simply complete your profile, create a customized search, and begin to network!
Apply to JumpStart Collegiate – a business development program
If you are still looking for something to do this summer or for another part-time experience alongside other commitments, feel free to apply and or ask for more info about this Business Development remote program.
The Innovation Hub at Midd is offering 3 scholarships for students who are interested in taking part in it. Learn more below:
Jumpstart Collegiate is a 10-week (June 11th – August 13) cohort based business development / entrepreneurial program specifically for college students and recent grads. Join ten 3hr business workshops led by LaunchVT and get connected to the people and resources you need to build your startup. The program is hosted by GeneratorVT, in partnership with REACT and HULA, Burlington based startup support programs and services. The Innovation Hub will provide funding support to students with competitive applications.
Middlebury students, including those graduating in 2020, are welcome to apply here. Please apply as soon as possible. Learn more about the Jumpstart Collegiate Program and or contact john@launchvt.com for any questions.
The state of the Global Job Market in COVID-19
“COVID-19 has affected every industry in every corner of the globe. For some—like healthcare, e-commerce, education, and tech—it’s growth. For most, this time is clouded with unemployment, hiring freezes, and even business closures. It’s a good time to be in some industries and a challenging time for others.
We wanted to take our own deep dive into the state of hiring during COVID-19. So, we asked you to help us keep tabs on hiring freezes. Now, we have a completely user-generated list of companies that are hiring, freezing, rescinding offers, and even furloughing.
And we didn’t stop there. We teamed up with the folks at Clearbit to enrich the data further, surveying more than 7,000 companies to find out who’s doing what, where, and why. Here’s what we found.”
Click here to read the full article
Conversation with James Farrell, Vice President, International Originals, Amazon Studios
James Farrell, Vice President, International Originals, Amazon Studios
Graduation Year: 1999
Major: International Politics & Economics
Thank you, James, for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with us. Could you briefly introduce your career path and any major transitions that you made? How do you believe that your Middlebury education impacted your career? My first job after college was at Bear Stearns. I quickly realized that I didn’t share the passion my colleagues had about the financial services industry, and so to pivot my career I went to business school at Columbia University. During business school, I did a few internships at media companies. These experiences gave me exposure to the entertainment industry and helped me to land a job at Sony Pictures after I graduated. I have stayed in the entertainment business ever since then.
I like to think about the Liberal Arts education as a long-term play. Concededly, if I had gone to a larger university, where I had taken classes in things like finance and marketing, I might have been better prepared for my first job. However, the education I had at Middlebury was much broader. It taught me how to think critically and collaborate with other people. In my job I often have to communicate with stakeholders from different countries and cultures. I feel fortunate that my time at Middlebury prepared me well to handle all types of interpersonal relationships. Sometimes students from Liberal Arts backgrounds may feel a bit behind in their technical skills when they get to their first job. But as they progress in their careers, the value of their education will become more and more obvious.
How do you suggest that students prepare for interviews? What quality do you usually look for when you have to interview a candidate? Generally, interviewers like to see candidates’ passion, as passion motivates people to work harder. I find that people with passion are usually willing to put in the extra hours to improve their skills, even if it may take them years to perfect at their jobs.
The Amazon interview process is especially interesting. The interview questions often revolve around our 14 leadership principles that echo throughout the company’s day-to-day practices. For instance, one of the principles is “Think Big.” We don’t make decisions purely based on financial metrics like quarterly earnings. Instead we focus on broader issues like if a strategy fits customers’ long-term interest. Another principle we have is “Bias for Action.” We want people who are comfortable making hard decisions, not people who habitually resort to inaction under challenging times. Our HR always remind candidates to familiarize themselves with these 14 principles before they go to an interview, but many people don’t take it seriously, only to regret when they are asked about exactly these principles in their interviews. My advice to students is to carefully read the companies’ value propositions and take time to prepare unique answers for each company you interview.
What do you suggest that students do to expand their network and ask for mentorship at the initial stage of their career? The easiest time to ask a person for mentorship is when you have an opportunity to spend 1 on 1 time with them. It could be during lunch , commuting, or even some casual company events. You may want to have a nice conversation with that person first as an icebreaker. If you then politely ask, “Would it be possible if we get together every few months, so that I can ask for your advice on my job?” Most people would say yes. Another important thing is to quickly follow up and lock in the opportunity you captured. As soon as the meeting is over you should send that person a thank-you email and set up some time for the next conversation.
This series is coordinated by Xiaoli Jin ’19. Look for more alumni profiles each week. You can connect with Xiaoli on LinkedIn.
If you are interested to interview alumni and contribute to this series, please contact Xiaoli Jin 2019′ on Midd2Midd.
In this time of social distancing, we are all looking for new ways to stay connected, and Midd2Midd is one of them! Midd2Midd connects Middlebury students, alumni, and parents, supporting mentoring, networking, and engagement within the Middlebury community around the world. Midd2Midd is your place to make things happen. Simply complete your profile, create a customized search, and begin to network!
Essential Advice for Entry-Level Job and Internship Hunting During COVID-19
There is no question that the global Coronavirus pandemic is creating major challenges for students seeking entry level jobs and internships. But there are actions you can take now and in the coming weeks to position yourself for success.
Join this event on Wednesday, May 13 from 12-1 pm.
Click here to register.
In this 60-minute webinar, Lindsey Pollak, workplace expert and author of Getting From College to Career, and Chelsea C. Williams, talent development and retention strategist and founder & CEO of College Code, will share advice on finding existing opportunities, networking effectively, and enhancing your skill-set for success. There will be extensive time for Q&A!
This session is sponsored by Cappfinity, the global leader in strengths-based hiring, with a wealth of expertise in graduate hiring across multinational clients using online and virtual technologies. You can learn how to use your unique strengths to support your transition from school by taking a free Strengths Profile assessment, which will be shared upon registration.
About your hosts:
Lindsey Pollak– Lindsey is a New York Times bestselling author and one of the world’s leading experts on Millennials and today’s multi-generational workplace. She is also the author of two career advice books for young professionals: Becoming the Boss: New Rules for the Next Generation of Leaders and Getting from College to Career: Your Essential Guide to Succeeding in the Real World. She is a graduate of Yale University and is based in New York City.
Chelsea C. Williams – Chelsea is a talent strategist, corporate trainer, and professional speaker, is passionate about helping organizations bridge the gap for the future of work. She is a sought after speaker & facilitator at national conferences and leadership summits on early career talent development and diversity, equity, and inclusion at work. Chelsea obtained her BA in Economics from Spelman College.
Data-driven Tech and Advocacy Firm wants intern
REAL Strategies – a data-driven communications, technology and advocacy consulting firm – has an exciting opportunity for a paid, part-time (15-20 hrs./week) Client Services and Communications Intern for Summer 2020. This internship is ideal for recent college graduates or rising college seniors with relevant coursework/degrees in communications, political science, digital media, and information technology.
TargetSmart is a leading provider of political data and technology that enables campaigns and organizations to successfully communicate with large audiences, personalize outreach, and create lasting relationships. Our superior politically-focused, consultative approach combines consumer data, databases, data integration and consulting solutions for personalized multichannel marketing strategies. TargetSmart leverages over 25 years of experience in data management to deliver high-performance, reliable data products and solutions.
Apply in Handshake HERE. Deadline is May 18.
Master Class on acing the new ways of working in a new world
Caught amidst rapidly changing times, we find ourselves trying to make work, work for us! How do we adapt and rise in this situation? What can we do to re-invent ourselves in the workplace and be new-world ready? Join us for an interactive session on the new ways of working, learning and acing interviews in today’s virtually connected world – after all, when the ways of the world change, we need to be ready for transformation!”
Friday, May 15 at 1 pm EST
Click HERE to register.
This learning opportunity is provided by GenPact. Genpact is a global professional services firm that makes business transformation real. We drive digital-led innovation and digitally-enabled intelligent operations for our clients, guided by our experience running thousands of processes primarily for Global Fortune 500 companies.
Conversation with Suzie Reider, Global Managing Director at Waze (a Google Company)
Suzie Reider, Global Managing Director at Waze (a Google Company)
Graduation Year: 1987
Major: English Literatures
Thank you so much for your contributions to Middlebury’s Board of Trustees. We would love to know about your career path and your time at Middlebury. How did you explore your career after you graduated from Middlebury? I was an English literature major at Middlebury. In college, I was interested in creative writing and didn’t think much about what I wanted to do after college. I think it was very different in the 80s than today. I graduated in 1987 and that Fall was the “Black Monday” stock market crash.
“U.S. markets fell more than 20% in a single day”. I have a lot of empathy for college Seniors entering the workforce this Spring. It will work out.
My first job out of college was working for an advertising agency. My salary was $13,000/year and we dressed up for work in those days and I remember wearing all my mother’s clothes to work as my own work wardrobe was not in the budget. In addition to my day job at Cabot Advertising in Boston, I also created advertisements for a small market in my parent’s hometown. I was paid $100 per flyer and my brother illustrated. To produce these ads I needed access to a Mac for desktop publishing. In 1987 a Mac Plus cost about $2500 and that was way beyond what I could afford.
I came across a newspaper ad for a marketing coordinator at MacUser Magazine (owned by Ziff-Davis Publishing). I took the job at this magazine, which gave me access to a Mac and other equipment needed to publish ads for the small market. 14 years later, when I finally left Ziff for CNET, I was running the sales and marketing for a stable of video and computer gaming magazines.
The job market, the jobs themselves, and the skills are very different from when I was first starting working. I think the applicable advice I have is about being resourceful and intentional as a person but not so much about the actual jobs.
How did your time at Middlebury impact your career? In which areas has your Middlebury education built a foundation for your career? Even as an English literature major, I learned a lot about being analytical, seeing patterns and seeing outliers. I recall exams where we were asked to compare and contrast relationships between characters and the land or between siblings or the concept of ‘going home’ and you’d think about the dozen or books you had read and draw out examples from so many texts. At Middlebury I learned to write clearly and back up statements with facts and examples.
We didn’t have MiddCore or group projects or Freshman Seminars in the 80s but our professors did teach us how to communicate and to assimilate information from lots of sources. I made really good friends at Middlebury which is part of the foundation one builds that is a support system as one travels through life.
What are your suggestions to students currently preparing for job interviews? What particular qualities would you look for when interviewing candidates? I have worked at Google for 14 years and we look for very specific qualities in candidates. This article is a little dated but still applies. We look for leadership (even if not a leadership role), role related experience, general cognitive ability, and culture fit. I feel a generation gap these days as I do not hire junior or entry-level people and so I’m not as familiar with the common best practices for people coming right out of college. That said, handwritten thank-you notes, doing your homework prior to the interview, dressing professionally and so on are still good best practices.
How do you suggest students to network and expand their connections both in college and in their job & internship? Networking is a big word and can have not so great connotations. I like to think about it as an effort to build long-term relationships. Just be yourself and ask real questions. When students contact me, I am very direct and ask where they are looking for help. Be authentic, be as clear as you can be about what you are looking for guidance on. And you can ask “is there anything I can do for you?” – you never know.
One suggestion is to approach relationship mapping (another term for networking) in an organized way. Create a doc/spreadsheet and record who you talk to, date, where, what you talked about, any follow-up etc. You never know when you might want to revisit a conversation and it’ll be a good habit to form as you are just at the start of ‘tracking’ things. Good luck and be resourceful in these times. Don’t wait for the perfect job as one role can lead to another. Know that in the end it also comes down to luck and timing.
This series is coordinated by Xiaoli Jin ’19. Look for more alumni profiles each week. You can connect with Xiaoli on LinkedIn.
If you are interested to interview alumni and contribute to this series, please contact Xiaoli Jin 2019′ on Midd2Midd.
In this time of social distancing, we are all looking for new ways to stay connected, and Midd2Midd is one of them! Midd2Midd connects Middlebury students, alumni, and parents, supporting mentoring, networking, and engagement within the Middlebury community around the world. Midd2Midd is your place to make things happen. Simply complete your profile, create a customized search, and begin to network!