Andrew Sterling is an associate with Alvarez & Marsal’s (A&M) Restructuring practice in Toronto, Canada. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Queen's University.

In the following Q&A, Andrew discusses the influence of his mentor, Zach Gold, the qualities essential for success in the field of restructuring, the importance of teamwork and attention to detail and his interests outside of work, including sports and Middle Eastern cuisine.

What skills or experiences did you gain in college that have been valuable in your career thus far?

The Queen’s Commerce program focuses heavily on group work, which is designed to simulate a working environment. Working on assignments in small teams allowed me to develop my communication and organizational skills and played an important role in preparing me for the work environment. At A&M, we typically work in small teams in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment, so being able to communicate clearly and concisely within the team and with clients has been a valuable skill to have. Another important experience was the opportunity to live on my own in another city for the first time, which required me to be focused and disciplined while surrounded by many distractions.

Why did you choose to intern at A&M?

Restructuring isn’t a heavily discussed topic in most undergrad programs, but during my studies, I worked on a case study on Target Canada’s restructuring and exit from Canada. A&M happened to be the financial advisor in that case. This was my first exposure to both restructuring/turnaround management and A&M. I found the case quite interesting, and as I did more research into the profession, I learned that A&M Canada was also front and center on some of the largest ongoing restructurings in Canada at the time. As I looked to enter the industry, I reached out to other professionals including A&M alumni, competitors and lawyers who all had great things to say about the firm and the people, which led me to apply for the summer position.

Why did you choose to join A&M full-time?

During my summer internship, there were two aspects that made returning to A&M full-time an easy choice for me. The first reason, and most importantly, was the people. When I started as a summer intern, the program began with a series of weekly training modules led by different senior members of our team. I was amazed at how dedicated they were at ensuring that we grasped each concept and how much one-on-one time they spent with each of us. I also really appreciated the managing directors (MDs) taking the time to genuinely get to know each of the summer interns and including us at various client events. The second reason was the opportunities and level of responsibility afforded to the junior staff. I recall the analysts/associates working one-on-one with our managing directors, senior members of legal counsel and the client’s C-suite. This level of responsibility was a stark contrast to what I heard from friends in investment banking and consulting where juniors often reported only to mid-level managers and experienced limited client interaction.

Which office are you based out of and how would you describe the office culture?

I’m based out of the Toronto office. Our office is smaller than the average A&M office but has high-in-office attendance. As a result, we have a very tight-knit group, especially within our junior cohort who commonly socialize outside of office hours. Additionally, our managing directors keep a keen eye on work-life balance and adjust schedules as work commitments permit. Overall, we have a flat office culture, and I would consider many of my colleagues, including senior ones, both colleagues and friends.

What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment so far in your career?

I take a lot of pride in being entrusted by the managing directors to lead workstreams on my recent engagements. Knowing that my prior work allows them to feel confident that I can handle running day-to-day components of our engagements with minimal oversight from a mid-level manager is certainly something I am proud of. I think that A&M has provided a platform for me to develop and showcase my skills and our senior team’s trust in the juniors provides an unmatched opportunity for growth.

In hindsight, what advice would you give to your college self or to other recent graduates about navigating the transition from school to work?

I think the best advice I received when transitioning from school to work was to always triple-check your work and never assume someone else will catch a mistake. While 99-percent correct may get you an ‘A+’ at school, the incorrect one-percent can easily get you an ‘F’ in real life. It is important to take time to do a thorough analysis and ensure that you always generate objective and high-quality work. When completing a task that is new to you, lean on available resources, whether that is formalized materials or asking a colleague for advice. Never be afraid to ask questions or seek help. Furthermore, open discussion with colleagues is an effective way to share best practices (e.g., historical work product, templates and Excel tips and tricks) that can improve your work and make your life easier in the future.

Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations for the next few years in your career?

A&M is growing rapidly both globally and in Canada, so I feel that there is plenty of opportunity to grow my career here. At this stage, my focus is on continuous improvement and developing a stronger network in the industry. The MDs and other senior team members are great at providing feedback, which enables me to continue building my skill set and take on larger responsibilities. From a business development perspective, Covid-19 had made it difficult to meet others in the industry, so expanding my network is a big focus of mine going forward.

What do you consider to be the most important qualities for success in your field, and how do you cultivate those qualities in yourself?

I believe the two most important qualities for success are teamwork and attention to detail. Our engagements are often executed under tight timelines and stressful circumstances; therefore, it is imperative that you can work cohesively with both your colleagues and the client. Quality work is instrumental at A&M as clients rely on our analysis to make important and often difficult business decisions. Taking the extra time to triple-check your work and ensure you are producing objective and high quality work is a must.

Can you tell us about a mentor or advisor who has been influential in your career development, and what did you learn from them?

The person who has had the largest impact on my career is Zach Gold, a senior associate currently in the New York office. Zach began his career at A&M directly from college and paved the way for me and others to do the same. Zach’s mentorship has been instrumental to my success at the firm; beginning with my summer internship, Zach provided me with the most basic tools for success, to now, when he has the answer for even the most technical questions. Outside of the office, Zach has also been a good friend to me and the other juniors, even touring us around NYC when we visited last year.

What's your favorite hobby or activity outside of work, and how did you get into it?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time playing and watching sports. I am a diehard Leafs fan and follow the Toronto Blue Jays closely, despite both teams’ lack of recent success. Outside of sports, Toronto has an amazing array of parks and restaurants to explore.

If you had to eat only one type of cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

I would choose Middle Eastern food because of the variety of dishes and unique flavors. My family is of Lebanese descent, so I grew up with a lot of Middle Eastern food. My grandmother even authored a Lebanese cookbook. While I may not have inherited her extraordinary culinary skills, I am always excited to visit her for a delicious home-cooked meal!