Improvements/Feedback
There is definitely a steep learning curve associated with my job. One of the biggest perks of is that they actually have us doing the same work that a full-time, recent graduate would be doing. This is great, however, just one week of training is nowhere near enough time to learn how to properly do the job, so on-the-desk learning has been key to success in my position. After being on the desk for two weeks now, I have learned more in such a short period of time than I ever would have thought to be possible.
On any given day I am working on at least four different projects in completely seperate industries. I research these fields to gain a keen understanding of the area, reach out to and speak to experts who have worked in that field for decades, and write up profiles on these experts to send to our clients. Yesterday alone I learned about Human Capital Management software companies, the bridal gown industry, pharmaceutical companies, and architectural/engineering software firms. Delivering experts to each of these separate clients is a long process, yet our company relies on speed in order to beat our competitors.
Yesterday, in my weekly check-in meeting with my trainer, we both acknowledged that my delivery speed has been one of my areas of greatest improvement but also still my biggest weakness. Already I have cut down my delivery time for our “initial update” to our client from over an hour to about 35-40 minutes. However, I still have a ways to go. Our goal is that by the end of the summer I will have my delivery time down to between 10-15 minutes. Luckily, my trainer is extremely helpful in assisting me in reaching that goal. He provides me with honest feedback on simple ways to cut down on time but also acknowledges that I just need more practice and will naturally improve as the summer goes on.
Sounds like you are getting the opportunity to be really engaged with the organization and that it provides opportunities to learn about myriad fields/industries, which is a boon in and of itself. The emphasis here – it seems – is about improving your delivery time, which is admirable and it sounds as if you have a good mentor to assist you. As you continue, I would be attentive to whether there are challenges with the way in which Alpha Sights functions and if so, who are the individuals working on that/those issue(s). Might there be an opportunity for you, as a leadership studies major, to offer insights on teamwork, collaboration, etc. that may assist the organization?