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Lucca, Consultant at ADAPTOVATE: Advize Career Interview
A career journey starting with college internships and navigating the complexities of the pandemic led to a fulfilling role as a Consultant at ADAPTOVATE, where the focus is on solving complex client problems and designing organizational strategies.
The role is highly variable, requiring structured problem-solving, strong communication, and a growth mindset to tackle challenges like earning client trust and navigating ambiguity.
This consultant enjoys contributing meaningfully to engagements while prioritizing personal learning and development, finding the breadth of consulting valuable for future aspirations and appreciating the constant intellectual stimulation.
Thriving in the industry requires curiosity, teamwork, drive, and a love of learning, with success heavily reliant on collaboration, communication, and building relationships.
For aspiring consultants, internships are key, and undergraduates should consider prioritizing those experiences, plus, don't forget to build relationships with professors - it is a treasure trove of knowledge.
This career offers a unique opportunity to explore different industries, develop critical thinking skills, and make a tangible impact.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Lucca Polacci
Consultant
ADAPTOVATE
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey
Business Management & Admin, Political Science, American Studies
Professional Services
Business Strategy
None Applicable
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Career Path Of A Consultant At Adaptovate
Lucca's career path began with internships in college, including one at a CPA firm where data analysis proved "a little too technical." This experience, coupled with soured investment banking interviews during the pandemic, led to management consulting, resulting in an internship at Adaptive Eight which then transitioned to a full-time role as an analyst, and finally a promotion to associate at ADAPTOVATE.
Main Responsibilities Of A Consultant At ADAPTOVATE
Lucca's main responsibility as a Consultant at ADAPTOVATE is "helping clients solve complex problems," often starting with ambiguous issues where clients know the pain points but not the root causes; this involves breaking down the overarching problem into individual pieces, sometimes designing entire organizational strategies focused on efficiency, cost savings, and speed to market. Like in any management consulting firm, internal initiatives, such as business development and proposal creation, are also part of the role.
A Day In The Life Of An Associate Consultant At ADAPTOVATE
An associate consultant's day is highly variable and dependent on the client and case, requiring flexibility in hours to accommodate client needs, as Lucca mentions their day involves "client work from about 6:00 AM until maybe three in the afternoon" followed by internal work. As an example, Lucca describes how their work can range from "Agile coaching to a cost savings initiative".
Most Important Skills for a Consultant at ADAPTOVATE
For a consulting role at ADAPTOVATE, Lucca emphasizes that "structured problem solving" is paramount, followed closely by strong verbal communication skills, particularly the ability to communicate effectively with senior executives by using the "pyramid principle." Additionally, data analysis skills and a "growth mindset" are crucial, especially for newer consultants navigating the constant learning and diverse challenges inherent in management consulting.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Consultant At ADAPTOVATE
Lucca enjoys the balance between making "meaningful contributions to engagements" and prioritizing personal learning and development, specifically through colleague interaction and new approaches. The ability to see projects through from strategy design to implementation and witness the impact has also been "the most impactful thing."
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Consultant At ADAPTOVATE
Lucca, a Consultant at ADAPTOVATE, identifies earning respect and trust with clients, especially senior ones, as a major challenge early in a consulting career, stating that it "takes a lot of effort on your end to be seen as a trusted advisor in the room." According to Lucca, prioritizing building that trust through techniques such as industry research and proactively serving client needs ultimately leads to smoother engagements with less oversight.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Consulting Industry As A Consultant
As a young consultant with MBA aspirations, Lucca values the breadth of experience consulting offers, allowing for exploration of different industries and a deeper understanding of personal interests, stating that consulting sets one up well for graduate programs by understanding "where you might want to focus your efforts". Furthermore, Lucca enjoys the intellectually stimulating nature of consulting, where "no two problems are the same", requiring constant critical thinking and adaptation to different stakeholders.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Consulting, According To A Consultant At ADAPTOVATE
Lucca describes that successful individuals in consulting possess four key attributes. They are "naturally curious," enjoy being a "team player" in what they describe as "the biggest team sport in the world," are driven to handle the demanding nature of the work, and, especially for those just starting out, "love learning" and appreciate the often non-linear process of acquiring new skills.
What a Consultant at ADAPTOVATE Wishes They Knew Before Consulting
Lucca wishes someone had told them that consulting is often "pretty messy" with inconsistent direction and information from clients, adding that it's a consultant's job to "create clarity out of ambiguity" by advising clients, even when it means pushing back on shifting directions. While frustrating at times, flexibility and the ability to change direction are crucial skills to develop.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Consultants At ADAPTOVATE
Lucca from ADAPTOVATE suggests that undergraduates interested in consulting should prioritize internships, as landing an analyst position without prior experience is extremely competitive—"one out of every 200 folks who apply actually land a job." For graduate students, roles like associate or senior associate are appropriate entry points to consider.
Significant Career Lesson from a Consultant at ADAPTOVATE
Lucca, a Consultant at ADAPTOVATE, learned that while completing tasks and meeting deadlines are crucial, especially early in a career, it is "almost as important" to focus on collaboration, communication, and team support. Building relationships and rapport, as well as qualities such as reliability, active listening, and remaining "calm under pressure," have a significant impact on colleagues and clients, ultimately contributing to delivering great work.
College Experiences That Helped A Consultant At Adaptovate Succeed
Lucca emphasized the importance of balancing the college experience by taking academics seriously while still having a "good time," given the inherent fun nature of college. Furthermore, to explore potential career paths, Lucca focused electives on topics of interest and built relationships with professors, recognizing their industry knowledge and value as resources.
Consultant From ADAPTOVATE Shares College Success Tips
Lucca found building relationships with WP Carey professors to be the most impactful experience because the professors are "so willing to engage the students, provide support both during class and after hours," acting as mentors and offering a "treasure trove of knowledge" valuable for students' career paths. Lucca encourages students to take advantage of the professors' willingness to help.
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