Campus Spotlight: Isabel Greene
Authenticity Is Key: An Analyst’s Insights on Transitioning from Academia to the Professional World
Isabel Greene is an Analyst with Alvarez & Marsal’s (A&M) Global Transaction Advisory Group in New York, New York. She earned her bachelor's and master’s degrees from Saint Joseph's University.
In this Q&A, Isabel discusses the lessons gleaned from her college experience as a student-athlete, her motivation for joining A&M full-time and the supportive and tight-knit culture of the New York office. She reflects on the importance of problem-solving, communication and work ethic for success in consulting and shares insights on transitioning from academia to the professional world. Isabel also highlights the value of authenticity in networking, the influence of mentors and her love for running as a stress outlet and social activity.
Why Company Values Are Essential for Effective Collaboration and Job Satisfaction
Reflecting on your college experience, what unexpected lessons or insights have you gained that have significantly impacted your career?
My college experience included playing soccer at Saint Joseph’s University and the University of Dayton—so most of my college lessons and insights were gained as a student-athlete. Expected lessons I learned include the necessity of putting in daily hard work to achieve goals, resiliency, time management and the ability to lead and be a valuable team member. As I reflect, the most unexpected and vital lesson I learned was the importance of being around good people with shared values, goals and motivations. This lesson ultimately led me to A&M. I have felt A&M’s mantra, to “like what you do and who you do it with,” from everyone I have encountered at the firm since Day One.
Why did you choose to intern at A&M?
I chose to intern at A&M for a few reasons. First, I was interested in Financial Due Diligence (FDD). In FDD, each day presents a different problem to solve, a different challenge to tackle and a new learning opportunity. I wanted a career where each day looked different from the last—or at least had that possibility—and that is what FDD provides. Second, I was drawn to A&M by the people and the ethics. Everyone I spoke to at the firm was very passionate about their job. But also, and more impressively, I felt everyone truly enjoyed working hard for their team.
What motivated your decision to join A&M full-time?
One summer during college, I watched a personal interview with Warren Buffet and his lifelong business partner and friend, Charlie Munger. I heard these very successful and humble businessmen tell how they achieved success. Among other lessons, they spoke about the importance of being involved with and surrounding themselves with “good” people. That stuck with me. From my experience as an Intern, I felt that A&M truly was a place of good people, the type of people that Warren Buffet spoke about. In addition, I felt A&M was a place where I could learn, grow and succeed in my career. Simply put, I felt that A&M would be a place where I would enjoy going to work each day.
Which office are you based in, and how would you describe the office culture?
I am based in New York, NY, and the office culture is second to none! Although several industry verticals and business units are on my office floor, most people know each other and get along well. Everyone is excited to get involved outside of engagements between the Equity Change Team, the Young Professionals group, the Women’s Leadership Committee, volunteer and recruiting opportunities, group lunches and happy hours. It is almost impossible not to bond with one another. I’m grateful I get to work with people I enjoy spending time with each day.
Who are the individuals you consider your closest mentors, and what valuable lessons have you learned from them?
At A&M, I am a part of the Financial Services vertical (FIG) within the Global Transaction Advisory Group. Truthfully, it would be an impossible task to single out only a few individuals as my closest mentors. Whether working with someone at arm’s length or more closely in day-to-day tasks, I am constantly refining my technical skills, improving my communication abilities, developing new problem-solving techniques and more through the guidance of the leadership of my team. Within the TAG business unit, the FIG group supports my growth and fosters an environment where I can strive to be my best every day. Further, in an industry where men typically dominate, the FIG team uniquely has more women than men. Witnessing these strong women lead the team daily shows me that women can achieve their highest potential at A&M and within the industry.
Top Skills to Prioritize for Success in the Consulting Industry
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?
Among the essential skills for thriving in the consulting industry are problem-solving, teamwork, and a strong work ethic. Problem-solving skills like creativity, brainstorming, and critical decision-making come into play each day, as no one day presents the same task. Teamwork, demonstrated through time management, active listening, and effective communication, is imperative to work diligently and effectively. Last, a strong work ethic is required to grow, as in any job. At A&M, it’s not individual success alone that counts, but the team's success and, ultimately, the client’s success counts the most; therefore, a work ethic that goes beyond yourself is imperative. To best prepare for a job in the consulting industry, I recommend joining any team or club in college. Working with others is so important. Immerse yourself in any accounting or business group and work to achieve the highest academic success.
Looking back, what advice would you offer recent graduates about effectively transitioning from academia to the professional world?
Each person's transition from academia to the professional world will be unique. Above any adversity or stress surrounding this change, I urge recent graduates to embrace the many new challenges and opportunities that will inevitably come their way. A mentor once told me to be a “willow” (tree) amidst this phase of my life: flexible, resilient and graceful. Flexible in being OK when things don’t go as planned, resilient when some days are more challenging than others and graceful in upholding yourself with poise and dignity each day.
What personal attributes or traits are essential for success in your field, and how do you continually nurture and develop these qualities within yourself?
Be confident, work hard and remain true to yourself. At the end of the day, if you’ve achieved these things, you’ve achieved some level of success. I nurture these qualities by reminding myself that I deserve to be as far as I’ve come and that alone is something to be proud of.
How do you approach networking and building professional relationships, and what tips would you offer to others just starting?
Authenticity is key. I urge anyone looking to approach networking and building relationships to prioritize presenting their authentic self. Professional and personal relationships grow best in an authentic environment and can survive the long term once rooted there. Seek excellent and trustworthy mentors and friends to help you on the journey, who will cheer your successes and support you on a rough day. Be sure to be a genuine mentor and friend to others on their journey, too!
What's your favorite hobby or activity outside of work, and how did you get into it?
Outside of work, I love to run. As an athlete my entire life, I’ve developed a love for fitness and self-care, making it an integral part of my daily routine. I got into running at a young age to spend more time with neighbors and friends. Since then, running has become an outlet to meet people, explore new cities, relieve stress, and stay healthy.
What's the best advice you've ever received, and how has it influenced your life?
In a recent meeting with female colleagues at A&M, a senior director reflected on her experience as a woman in our industry. Her advice highlighted the importance of embracing pride and confidence in personal achievements while simultaneously making space for the next generation – in this case, women – underscoring a continuous cycle of uplifting those around you. Many industries pose goals and pressures that surround achieving success and hitting metrics. This colleague’s words served as a reminder that our treatment of one another ultimately defines collective excellence.
