An Analyst’s Journey in Developing the Three Cs: Communication, Collaboration and Continuous Learning

Rebecca Hohenberger is an Analyst with Alvarez & Marsal’s (A&M) Valuation Services practice in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Hochschule Mainz—University of Applied Sciences and her master’s degree from Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences.

In this Q&A, Rebecca discusses the impact of her collegiate journey on her career, touching on unexpected lessons learned and insights gained. She explores her decision to intern at A&M, focusing on its unique culture and growth opportunities. Reflecting on early career challenges, she advises recent graduates on navigating the transition from academia to the professional world, stressing the importance of proactivity and continuous learning.

How to Overcome Early Career Challenges

Reflecting on your college experience, what unexpected lessons or insights have you gained that have significantly impacted your career?

I initially assumed that the technical skills acquired in university would be paramount for my professional journey. However, upon closer reflection, I've realized that skills such as group collaboration and networking hold even greater significance. These abilities have evolved, proving instrumental in tackling complex challenges and fostering connections that enhance problem-solving capabilities.

Why did you choose to intern at A&M?

Firstly, it's important to note that my internship took place as a part-time arrangement, known as a "working student" position, which is quite common in Germany. This setup allows individuals to work and study concurrently. A&M stood out to me for its exceptional flexibility, seamlessly balancing my university commitments with work hours. Secondly, my decision to intern at A&M was influenced by the firm's diverse service offerings, ample learning prospects, collaborative ethos and flat organizational structure.

What motivated your decision to join A&M full-time?

My decision to transition to a full-time role at A&M was motivated by several key factors. Firstly, receiving and accepting a return offer early on in my internship provided me with a clear goal to pursue, coupled with the advantage of already being fully integrated into the team I would later join permanently. Additionally, the insights gained during my internship and the positive relationships forged with colleagues reinforced my desire to commit to A&M long-term. I was driven by a desire to accelerate my learning curve, delve deeper into the diverse valuation services offered and take on increased responsibilities within the firm.

Which office are you based in, and how would you describe the office culture?

I am based in the Frankfurt office. The office culture includes regular get-togethers across all business units and a nice and welcoming atmosphere.

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 biggest challenges I encountered initially was switching from an academic perspective to a client perspective—and deliverable-focused work style. Additionally, from the start of my full-time career, I was staffed on multiple projects simultaneously, which was quite challenging for me initially. However, I rapidly adapted to the new situation and learned how to keep an overview of a variety of projects and to improve my time management skills.

Share a significant accomplishment from your career.

One of the most significant accomplishments for me is that I get to guide the new interns and assign tasks to them. In this way, I can reflect on my personal skill development and act as an approachable mentor. In addition, I decided to engage in the young professional network to enable young professionals at A&M to build strong relationships throughout the firm.

Best Practices on Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Career

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?

The most important skills are communication skills, curiosity and detail orientation. Communication is crucial not only for our clients' work but also for collaborating effectively within the team and firm. Curiosity and asking questions will improve your skill set quickly, and will also motivate the people around you to invest their time in explaining complex problems. Detail orientation may be controversial, but for me personally, this has significantly increased the quality of my work deliverables. However, you should always concentrate on the big picture first.

Looking back, what advice would you offer recent graduates about effectively transitioning from academia to the professional world?

Working a full-time professional job will be much different from academia and internships. Therefore, the most important thing is to embrace that transition and view it as a journey. On this journey, it is important to be proactive—ask for feedback (and act on it), take initiative and be eager to learn new skills. And don’t be too hard on yourself—making mistakes is part of the journey, too.

What are your career aspirations for the next few years?

My goal for the next few years is to grow my career within A&M while advancing my skills with challenging client projects. I want to develop great expertise within and beyond valuation and combine my development with international experience. Additionally, I look forward to working as a mentor for other young professionals at A&M.

What are some notable perks or benefits you've experienced working in the consulting industry?

As monotony easily bores me, I value the variety of projects I get to work on (industry and project type-wise). This allows me to broaden my skill set and develop expertise in various industries. Another relevant aspect is the opportunity and encouragement for structured and rapid career development combined with diverse training sessions.

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

Outside of work, I like to follow an active lifestyle that involves lots of sports. My favorite activity is playing tennis, which I started in my youth together with a friend of mine. After pausing for a few years, I returned to tennis last year and enjoy it more than ever.

What's a book, movie or TV show that has profoundly impacted you, and why?

"The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig has profoundly impacted me, reshaping my outlook on life. This may sound hyperbolic, but its narrative has taught me a crucial lesson: that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Through its poignant storytelling, the book underscores the importance of embracing gratitude for the lives we lead, with all their inherent joys and challenges.

To discover exciting career opportunities and begin your professional journey like Rebecca’s, explore our current job openings and apply today!