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Caroline, Client Services Manager at AlphaSights: Advize Career Interview
An interview with a Client Services Manager at AlphaSights reveals a dynamic career path that leverages people skills and adaptability.
The role involves managing a team, overseeing a multimillion dollar book of business, and constantly engaging with diverse industries and top experts.
Days are fast-paced and varied, requiring strong communication, critical thinking, and prioritization.
While learning to focus on what is in own control can be challenging, the supportive and collaborative environment at AlphaSights, coupled with opportunities for professional development, contribute to job satisfaction.
Thriving in this industry requires a blend of team orientation, self-motivation, and an outgoing personality.
Entering the field often starts with a Client Services Associate role, and key lessons include embracing mistakes as learning opportunities and gaining diverse leadership experiences in college.
The uniquely supportive and youthful environment makes AlphaSights an exciting place to launch a career in client services.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Caroline Keller Dobrich
Client Services Manager
AlphaSights
Wake Forest University
Lipscomb University, M.Ed. Special Education
English, Writing & Education
Professional Services
Sales and Client Management
Honors Student, Greek Life Member
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Career Path of a Client Services Manager at AlphaSights
After college, the career professional joined Teach for America in Nashville, teaching elementary school special education, a significant departure from the English major pre-med track in college; desiring a shift to a corporate setting to utilize people skills, the professional transitioned to AlphaSights, aiming to leverage experiences in collaboration and communication.
Main Responsibilities of a Client Services Manager at AlphaSights
As a Client Services Manager at AlphaSights, Caroline's responsibilities involve managing a team of four associates, focusing on "their development, both like how they're working at AlphaSights, but also how they're developing professionally". In addition, the role includes overseeing a multimillion book of business by managing client relationships, communicating with clients daily, and running projects to address client needs across a range of topics.
A Day in the Life of a Client Services Manager at AlphaSights
Caroline, a Client Services Manager at AlphaSights, starts the workday by commuting and catching up on emails, followed by a morning meeting with the team to recap projects and priorities; the remainder of the day is described as fast-paced and varied, involving communication with clients and experts, critical thinking about industries, and strategy meetings to improve commercial performance, before ending with an afternoon meeting and sometimes office happy hour. The role is dynamic, because the days "never really looks the same day to day".
Most Important Skills for a Client Services Manager at AlphaSights
As a Client Services Manager at AlphaSights, Caroline emphasizes that strong communication skills are vital for collaborating with both peers and clients, highlighting the importance of being able to "talk through what you're working on." Adaptability is also key in a role where "no day is the same," along with the ability to prioritize effectively, which is a skill that the company will help cultivate.
Favorite Parts of Being a Client Services Manager at AlphaSights
Caroline enjoys the collaborative and supportive environment at AlphaSights, emphasizing that "the people I work with" are "amazing, wonderful people" who are not only driven and hardworking but also kind. The prevailing "culture and the environment" contribute significantly to job satisfaction.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Client Services Manager At AlphaSights
Caroline, a Client Services Manager at AlphaSights, finds that "learning to focus on what is in your control" is a significant challenge in the role, because priorities can change rapidly and unexpectedly based on client needs. In order to overcome that challenge, Caroline believes that maintaining "mental toughness" and the ability to adjust quickly are critical to success.
Favorite Parts of Working in Expert Network as a Client Services Manager at AlphaSights
Caroline enjoys being in client services, specifically within the expert network system, because they get to interact with "the best and the brightest" minds across diverse and niche industries globally, finding it rewarding to learn from their experiences. As a Client Services Manager at AlphaSights, this constant engagement with top experts is a particularly "cool" aspect of the role.
What Type Of Person Thrives As A Client Services Manager At AlphaSights
Caroline, a Client Services Manager at AlphaSights, believes people who thrive in this industry typically "enjoy communication, collaboration, working together in teams" while also being "very self-motivated" and critically thinking about *why* they're doing what they're doing. A balance of team orientation, individual performance, and being outgoing are also characteristics that contribute to success in this field.
What A Client Services Manager At AlphaSights Wishes They Had Known Before Starting Their First Job
Caroline wishes someone had emphasized AlphaSights' uniquely supportive and youthful environment, stemming from the fact that "most everyone here is...outta college" and experiencing their first job, and that the focus is both on excelling in the role, "but also how can you be the best professional you can be as well?" This makes the environment "young and fun" despite the demanding nature of client services.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Client Services Associates At AlphaSights
Caroline from AlphaSights highlights the Client Services Associate role as the most popular entry-level position, emphasizing that "everyone starts" there and is promoted from within. While other entry-level roles exist in different departments, the Client Services Associate role is the one that AlphaSights has "the most thought for," providing the groundwork for a career within the company.
Significant Career Lesson From A Client Services Manager At AlphaSights
Caroline, a Client Services Manager at AlphaSights, learned that "mistakes are inevitable" and it's crucial to learn from them, emphasizing the importance of embracing failure as a stepping stone for growth. Overcoming a perfectionist mindset allows one to put themselves out there and "fail forward" without fear.
College Experiences That Helped a Client Services Manager at AlphaSights Succeed
To prepare for a successful career, Caroline pursued diverse experiences in college, emphasizing interaction with various people from different clubs and volunteer groups. Gaining leadership positions within those organizations was also crucial, as it facilitates learning how to make decisions, build confidence, and develop a leadership style, "all things that you'll carry with you into your career."
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