Career Path of an Executive Search Associate at Spencer Stuart
David's career journey began with a college desk attendant role, fostering "interface" skills, followed by a less-than-organized marketing internship. After graduating early with a global studies degree, a sales development role at a boutique consulting firm provided valuable business experience and "mental fortitude," ultimately leading to a pivot into executive search at a top firm, where they now recruit C-suite executives.
Networking, Sales, Executive Search, Career Pivoting, Business Development
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
David Xie
Executive Recruiter / Executive Search Associate
Forbes Top 5 Executive Search Firm
University of California, Santa Barbara - 2017
NA
International Relations & Affairs
Recruitment, HR & Related Professional Services
Sales and Client Management
Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. David's career path demonstrates the value of diverse experiences. Starting with a desk attendant role in college, he gained valuable interpersonal skills and customer service experience. His marketing internship, although not directly related to his current career, provided him with project management and teamwork skills. Finally, his five years in sales development at a management consulting firm built his sales acumen and mental fortitude, skills transferable to executive search.
2. The interview highlights the importance of networking and career fairs. David's opportunity at Business Talent Group came from attending a career fair, emphasizing the value of actively seeking out opportunities. This showcases that even without a traditional business background, leveraging networking opportunities can lead to unexpected and successful career paths.
3. David's journey showcases that a non-traditional academic background can lead to a successful career in business. He obtained a degree in Global Studies, yet he successfully transitioned into a business-focused career. His experience highlights the importance of transferable skills, networking, and adaptability in navigating career choices and making strategic pivots based on learned experiences and interests.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? Did you have any internships or jobs before your current role?
That's a great question. Starting in college, my first year I wanted to work part-time. It's always nice to have a little extra cash as a college student.
I worked as a desk attendant at UC Santa Barbara, primarily at the residence halls. My responsibilities included manning the front desk, assisting students who forgot their keys, and checking out equipment. I also served as the main point of contact for guests, visitors, and other students entering the residence hall.
I really enjoyed the interaction and getting to talk to many people. It was always nice when students would stop by to hang out in the lobby and I could interact with them. I was fortunate to have that job throughout college, for three years, right up until I graduated early.
I also completed one internship with my college's recreational sports department. It was a marketing internship. Looking back, it was student-run and not the most organized, but it was still a great experience. A couple of other interns and I worked on a project to understand how to boost the brand and retention of the campus gym. We brainstormed new activities and marketing campaigns to increase student involvement in recreational sports. It was a valuable opportunity, even if it wasn't perfectly managed.
After college, graduating a year early was daunting. I had a bachelor's degree in global studies, which wasn't a traditional business degree, but I wanted to go into business. Fortunately, there was a career fair at my school where I discovered Business Talent Group, a boutique management consulting firm.
I found management consulting intriguing. I knew I wouldn't get into a traditional firm without a finance background, but I wanted to get my foot in the door and gain some exposure. The role was in sales development, as a sales associate. I focused on cold-calling senior executives at Fortune 500 companies. It was a humbling experience, making around 500 calls a week and facing rejection often, but I learned a lot and built mental fortitude.
I also gained significant insight into how businesses operate, which was valuable given my non-traditional business background. After five years, I progressed to an associate director role, managing my own book of business and a $1.5 million revenue goal within our life sciences practice.
At that point, I was at a crossroads. I considered pursuing an MBA and joining a traditional consulting firm, or pivoting to something else. While I was considering my MBA application, I discovered the field of executive search.
I'm now at one of the top five executive search firms, part of the "SHREC" acronym. My firm, Spencer Stuart, is the "SS." It's a nearly 60-year-old firm specializing in recruiting senior-level executives, including C-suite and VP-level, for Fortune 500 companies. It's been a fantastic experience so far, even though it's only been nine months. I hope to build my career here.