People Operations Analyst, AlphaSights
About
Share the story of why you chose your major.
I entered my undergrad education with a strong interest in psychiatry, but knew I would be foolish if I didn't explore other areas of study. I dabbled in courses in both Program in the Environment and Global Change and even considered Philosophy. But then I took Edward Chang's Introduction to Psychopathology (Psych 270) course. In one of our initial meetings, Professor Chang articulated his own journey to clinical psychology, and his own frustrations with the clinical space. His takeaway from his experiences was that one doesn't change a broken system by rebuffing it; rather, you can only change a broken system from the inside. He challenged us as Wolverines. He said thatif we are truly the leaders and the best, we will enter these broken systems to make an impact rather than avoiding them. I had always been interested in business and markets, yet I had been told to steer clear of the space for reasons ranging from too little exposure to possessing too much of a moral compass. Our world was at the peak of distrusting our markets, economy, and the people that led them. But I decided to listen to Professor Chang and take an Economics course. And I absolutely loved it. As a Junior, I had transitioned from planning to be a neuroscience major pursuing a neuropsychology pathway, to studying both Economics and Psychology. Over time, the plan for how I would utilize my majors evolved as well. The more economics courses I took, the more I realized my interests were heavily aligned with the business side of my studies. What started as an initial interest in consumer behavior and research pivoted to organizational innovation and positive business generation.
At Michigan, I spent most of my time outside the classroom…
You could find me working at either Mani Osteria & Isalita, the best restaurants in Ann Arbor, or on South U which was essentially my backyard.
What story stands out to you in your first year on the job?
A standout moment would have to be the first time I interviewed another University of Michigan graduate. It's surreal to go from being someone's classmate, to assessing their potential fit within your new company/family. But, it was lots of fun! I love chatting about my love for Michigan football and Ann Arbor with someone that actually knows what I'm talking about.
What’s next in your story?
I am officially two months into my life as a full-time post-graduate. While my story is only just beginning at AlphaSights and in New York City, I am always thinking about my long-term vision. I would like to start my own business in the next ten years, and am so fortunate to work for a company that wants to help me develop the skills I need to do just that. Specifically, I am working on developing my entrepreneurial mindset, market literacy, and team-building skills while at AlphaSights. I have a tremendous amount to learn from AlphaSights as both the company and I grow, and will take what I learn to return to earn my MBA.
What’s one thing every student should have on their "career to-do" list?
100 percent work for a start-up. The experience is unrivaled in terms of your development--Kyle Tibbits discusses the dramatically higher rate-of-learning of individuals working in a startup. This is vital to your trajectory for three reasons: primarily, you will generate compounding interest on what you're learning; secondly, learning--not money, equates leverage; finally, the inquisitive habits you'll develop through continuous learning is an end in itself. At a start-up, the fast-paced nature of your team allows rapid, iterative developments that would otherwise be stalemated in a corporate setting. You can leverage this "do-er" attitude in the long-run, and with learning as your foundation you can only progress onwards and upwards.
