College Experiences That Helped an Analyst at Analysis Group Succeed
Michael's undergraduate success stemmed from cultivating strong relationships with professors at Williams College, "doing everything to develop good relationships," and intentionally choosing challenging coursework outside their comfort zone, even majoring in math despite initial apprehension. This proactive approach to learning, focusing on critical thinking and problem-solving rather than solely grades, proved invaluable in their career at Analysis Group.
Relationship Building, Mentorship, Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving, Growth Mindset
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michael Stone
Analyst
Analysis Group
Williams College, Class of 2016
Fuller Theological Seminary MAT (2021); UCLA Anderson School of Management MBA (2023)
Mathematics, Data Science, Statistics
Healthcare, Medical & Wellness
Operations and Project Management
Video Highlights
1. Build strong relationships with professors: actively seek mentorship and maintain connections.
2. Take challenging courses outside your comfort zone to improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
3. Engage in projects and coursework that push your boundaries and encourage deep thinking.
Transcript
Michael, taking you back to your time at Williams College. What did you do in undergrad that set you up for success in your career?
There are two things I think were most important. The first was building quality relationships with professors. I know that's harder to do at bigger universities, but maybe easier at a place like Williams because the student-teacher ratio is small and professors invest a lot in their students.
I did everything I possibly could to develop good relationships with professors, especially those who expressed an interest in mentoring and nurturing me. I still stay in touch with those people to this day.
The second thing that was really fruitful for me was taking classes I wasn't necessarily good at or going to get a good grade in, but classes that would challenge me and push me to grow. This could be in my knowledge base, study habits, or how I worked with others. I wanted to be in a classroom that would push me to do something outside my comfort zone.
I ended up majoring in math because I thought I wasn't good at it. I decided it might serve me well down the line, not necessarily for good grades, but because it would take me outside my comfort zone and get me thinking critically and problem-solving in ways I wouldn't have otherwise. That was really key for me.
Even in classes where I was academically more inclined to do well, like in history, which was my other undergraduate major, I made sure to take on coursework or major projects that would push me to do something I might never have done. This would again get me outside my comfort zone and thinking critically and deeply about an issue or question.
Taking those opportunities when they come and working with professors to structure them if they weren't already there are key things that help someone be positioned for success and thinking critically, not just at a place like Analysis Group, but anywhere.
So, to summarize: one, build relationships with your professors; it's key. And two, get outside your comfort zone. Ten years from now, you're not going to care about what good grades you got. They might serve you well, but that's not going to be what's memorable. What's memorable will be the ways you learned and were really pushed to become someone you otherwise might not have become.