Campus Spotlight: Angelia Prip
A Positive Attitude Pays Off: Why Attitude and a Commitment to Excellence Are Essential for Success in the Consulting Industry
Angelia Prip is an Associate at Alvarez & Marsal’s (A&M) Transaction Advisory Group (TAG) in New York, New York. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Connecticut.
In this Q&A, Angelia shares her insights on the importance of commitment and hard work learned through her various college experiences, her motivation for joining A&M full-time and the supportive culture of the New York office. She discusses the crucial skills and positive attitude needed for success in consulting and her aspirations for continual growth. Angelia also highlights the significance of building genuine professional relationships, the dynamic and rewarding nature of the consulting industry and her lifelong passion for ballet.
Reflecting on your college experience, what unexpected lessons or insights have you gained that have significantly impacted your career?
Throughout college, I immersed myself in various activities. I had a rigorous academic schedule within the honors program while also serving on executive boards of professional and service organizations, working part-time and leading a ballet company. Despite the limited free time that this left, I created some of my favorite memories through these experiences and found a lot of fulfillment in achieving positive outcomes in each role.
This influenced my career trajectory, as I sought a similar environment where I felt I would thrive. I am most like myself when highly committed, so I was naturally drawn to a career where dedication and a strong work ethic are conditions for success.
The Relationship Between Company Culture and Professional Development
Why did you choose to intern at A&M?
Attending A&M's Summer Leadership Academy during my sophomore year was a great experience. The many professionals A&M connected me with from my first discussions in my sophomore year to the final conversations that led to me accepting an offer for an internship, made a strong impression on me. I valued the advice that each person gave. After completing the Leadership Academy with A&M, I interned at one of the Big Four firms. Then, I reconnected with A&M for a winter internship program during which I was one of two Interns. Since then and throughout my time as an Associate, I have been incredibly lucky to feel that many people at the firm have made a genuine investment in my development.
What motivated your decision to join A&M full-time?
I had a high-quality internship experience with A&M and felt it was the best place to begin my career. As an Intern, I got a realistic hands-on view of the work I would do as a full-time Associate. The culture at A&M was a good fit, I was inspired by the professionals at the firm and felt invested in it.
Which office are you based in, and how would you describe the office culture?
I am based in the New York office, and our office culture has greatly enhanced my work experience. Our strong office culture and regular events make in-person workdays an excellent opportunity to connect with others.
Tips to Navigate and Overcome 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?
One of the less expected challenges I encountered when first starting was the challenge itself. Coming from a college environment where I felt comfortable and confident in how I had succeeded in the various roles I held to an entirely new environment where I no longer felt like I knew the clear path for what I needed to do to be “successful” was surprisingly unmooring. After this initial period, I learned what that path looks like, but more importantly, I developed confidence in my ability to navigate a new environment and situation.
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?
A positive attitude and willingness to learn will help students thrive. Additionally, thorough research into the specific area of the consulting industry that they hope to enter will enable them to have high-quality conversations with the professionals they meet on their recruitment journey and at the start of their careers.
What are your career aspirations for the next few years?
My career aspirations for the next few years are to continue learning and growing and to be the best professional I can be. I hope to make a positive impact on the firm and on clients.
What personal attributes or traits are essential for success in your field, and how do you continually nurture and develop these qualities within yourself?
To succeed in this field, technical excellence, a relationship-driven mindset and a high commitment to yourself and your work are essential. The value that we can provide builds upon a foundation of expertise in the field. Beyond technical excellence, a second critical trait is having a relationship-driven mindset. Lastly, many other attributes for success will come from committing to consistent self-improvement in yourself and your work. I aim to cultivate this by regularly reflecting and assessing ways that I can further improve, as well as looking at those around me to incorporate attributes others may have that are enabling them to succeed.
Understanding the Benefits of Relationship Building for Success in Consulting
How do you approach networking and building professional relationships, and what tips would you offer to others just starting?
Building strong internal and external relationships is crucial for success in the consulting industry. I approach networking by forming genuine relationships with those around me and connecting over shared interests and values.
One of the ways I have developed my network is through participation in non-engagement activities. I am a Board member for the New York chapter of A&M Young Professionals which has provided me valuable opportunities to connect with other professionals across various business units at A&M. I’ve also enjoyed being a part of the firm’s recruitment processes and have had the opportunity to travel to various college campuses with some of our TAG Managing Directors to present about A&M. Beyond formal activities, when I have downtime, I prioritize connecting with others in more informal ways. I am fortunate to work at a firm with people I enjoy spending time with, which creates naturally genuine relationships.
What are some notable perks or benefits you've experienced working in the consulting industry?
What I enjoy about the consulting industry is the consistent change and opportunities for growth and learning new things. The relatively short-term nature of our engagements mean that you are experiencing something new frequently. While other industries sometimes focus on one project for several years, something I appreciate about transactions advisory is that there is s always something new to learn from.
What's your favorite hobby or activity outside of work, and how did you get into it?
Throughout my life, one of my biggest joys has been dance, particularly ballet. One of the many reasons that I love living in New York is the abundance of opportunities to take and watch world-class technique classes and performances. After graduating and starting work full-time, I tried out and enjoyed many workout classes throughout the city but ultimately returned to ballet classes as my favorite activity. Nothing else creates the unique combination of joy and peace that I find in dancing and the music while also having ballet’s ability as an effective workout that develops strength, flexibility and gracefulness. I hope always to keep the beauty of classical ballet in my life!
What's the best advice you've ever received, and how has it influenced your life?
“Hope is not a strategy.” This advice has stuck with me ever since I first heard it. To achieve what we want from work or life, we need first to clarify what that is and then form a well-developed plan to achieve it. Instead of relying solely on optimism, I aim to combine positivity with strategic planning, intentional priorities and perseverance.
