Campus Spotlight: Bastien Pallavicini
An Analyst's Insights on Why Networking and Building Professional Relationships Are Essential for Success in Consulting
Bastien Pallavicini is an Analyst in Alvarez & Marsal’s (A&M) Transaction Advisory Group in Paris, France. He earned his master’s degree from the ESCP Business School.
In this Q&A, Bastien discusses the valuable lessons he learned at A&M, the dynamic and growing culture of the Paris office and the importance of leveraging senior colleagues' expertise for rapid professional development. He also shares his passion for cooking, which he considers a fulfilling and creative outlet that brings people together and connects him to natural, quality ingredients.
Reflecting on your college experience, what unexpected lessons or insights have you gained that have significantly impacted your career?
After my academic years, my goal was to join an organization recognized on the market and develop my skills in a demanding, highly formative environment. To achieve this, I chose to intern at A&M to familiarize myself with the Analyst position and gain experience as quickly as possible in a structure that would enable me to launch my career.
Which office are you based in, and how would you describe the office culture?
I am based in the Paris office. Between my internship and my return as an Analyst, I have seen the office culture evolve. The dynamism and growth of the structure in just one year have strengthened A&M France's position in Paris, which has naturally impacted the mentality and image of the office.
Why did you choose to intern at A&M?
I interned at A&M in 2022. At that time, the office had already been established in Paris for around four years and had gained visibility and a reputation. Several people I knew had already done internships at A&M and had shared their experiences with me. They told me how valuable it was to get experience at A&M, professionally and relationally speaking, and that the office was experiencing major growth in the Paris marketplace.
What motivated your decision to return to A&M full-time?
The experience I had during my internship, both professionally and relationally, naturally led me to consider a return to A&M. As an Intern, I had the opportunity to benefit from a great deal of exposure and thus gain deeper insight into the job. The dynamism and growth of the Paris office were also major factors in my decision to return to A&M.
Leveraging Mentorship to Mitigate Early Career Challenges
Reflecting on your career's early stages, what unexpected challenges did you encounter, and how did you navigate them to emerge stronger?
As a junior, it is fundamental to share and benefit from the experience of senior-level staff. It is an amazing opportunity to benefit from the expertise and advice of people who faced the same issues and questions a few years prior. This is the best way to avoid wasting time and to learn as fast as possible.
How do you stay updated on industry trends and developments, and what resources do you rely on for continuous learning and growth?
I scan the national and international financial press every morning for market trends and events. The written media and business radio channels are excellent tools for quickly and concisely informing me of economic news.
Best Practices for Transitioning from Academia to the Professional World
What crucial skills or qualities do you believe students should prioritize developing to thrive in the consulting industry, and how can they best prepare themselves?
Students wishing to start a career in consulting should learn from the experiences of their senior colleagues. The consulting world comprises many different professions requiring various skills and interests. It is essential to find out as much as possible and do one or more internships to determine the type of consulting and structure that's right for you.
Looking back, what advice would you offer recent graduates about effectively transitioning from academia to the professional world?
Professional requirements differ from academic ones, especially in the consulting field. You need to be aware that entry into the professional world represents the culmination of an educational path. The idea now is to put all the knowledge and experience you've acquired over the years to succeed in an organization.
What personal attributes or traits are essential for success in your field, and how do you continually nurture and develop these qualities within yourself?
First, rigor is a fundamental skill in our business. We work in teams and deal with complex information that can be overlooked if not considered with precision and rigor. It is essential, especially at a junior level, to listen and learn from senior people to save time both in our day-to-day work and learning. It is also wise to stay curious and ask questions to make sure your work is clear.
How do you approach networking and building professional relationships, and what tips would you offer to others just starting?
As a junior, networking starts with academic contacts in the same professional environment. This enables you to create connections at the start of your career and maintain them long-term. It is also essential to take an interest in potential relations with more senior profiles and inform superiors about them to create links and channels for exchange and communication. In the consulting field, networking represents an important part of the business, so developing these skills progressively from the start of your career is essential.
What's your favorite hobby or activity outside of work, and how did you get into it?
For years, I have enjoyed cooking. It is a way to unite people and share a moment of conviviality. Cooking is a central part of cultures, and exploring diverse traditions and ways of cooking is essential. The diversity of the world's cuisines offers a wide range of culinary expressions and discoveries. Cooking is also a form of personal fulfillment. It is a way of building something from scratch and achieving a satisfying result. Thus, it is fundamental to be connected to natural products (i.e., grass-fed) to get the real taste of food.
What's the best advice you've ever received, and how has it influenced your life?
The best advice I have ever received relates to the stress and anxiety experienced in our professional and/or personal lives. Stress stems from a lack of anticipation or preparation, excluding exceptional events. In that way, I prepare myself and anticipate a potentially stressful situation in advance to avoid it and get through it. For example, during a meeting, I do not want to leave thinking that the result would have been different with more preparation, so I adapt my preparation so as not to have any regrets.
