Cole Havard is an associate with Alvarez & Marsal’s (A&M) Tax practice in New York, New York. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross.

In the following Q&A, Cole shares insights on his career journey and the skills he gained during his college years that have been invaluable in his professional growth. He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and staying updated on industry trends. Cole also highlights the impact of mentorship and the qualities essential for success in his field.

What skills or experiences did you gain in college that have been valuable in your career thus far?

My academic studies at the College of the Holy Cross allowed me to gain an incredible range of skills that transferred into my career. I was an Economics major, but the curriculum ensured that every student was exposed to various courses. My economics classes greatly refined my critical thinking skills. Much coursework involved analyzing data trends and transforming my conclusions into elaborate written reports. This type of work translates very well into my current career with the Research Credit & Incentive Services (RCIS) team because we analyze large data sets while also writing qualitative project reports. Other classes that were not in my major added additional skills, such as the ability to present and communicate with classmates. These communication skills are critical in my current career because I often interact with clients.

Why did you choose to intern at A&M?

I knew that A&M was a well-known company with many opportunities. I think it’s valuable to work for a company with so many different business lines because they all help each other grow and thrive. The culture at A&M is also well-known to have a better work-life balance than similar firms. There are so many opportunities to grow.

How did you start your career, and what were some of the biggest challenges you faced early on?

I chose to come back to A&M full-time after my internship. I was challenged early by the writing component of my job because I was always more proficient with numbers. I liked the challenge of writing because it has continuously improved my skills.

How do you stay current with industry trends and developments, and what resources do you rely on for ongoing learning and growth?

I read daily financial and legislative news from various news sources. RCIS pays close attention to any legislative changes in tax or guidance that the Internal Revenue Code gives because it directly affects our clients. The National Tax Office updates from internal A&M emails are extremely helpful for everyone in the practice. To continuously expand my skillset, I often watch videos or read articles on the latest Microsoft Excel tips and tricks. I’m studying to take the Enrolled Agent (EA) exam, which will allow me to learn more about additional tax sectors I may not encounter in my everyday job.

What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment so far in your career?

My biggest accomplishment has been my immediate ability to impact the RCIS team in multiple aspects. I’ve worked with numerous clients and assisted in the behind-the-scenes Excel work while leading many different calls. It was rewarding to have such a hands-on role early in my career.

I’ve also played a big role in mentoring our current summer interns. I collaborate with the interns weekly and continuously advise them on RCIS-specific and general career skills. I was in their shoes in the summer of 2021, so I know how valuable it is to have someone who can always help you.

What advice would you give to university students looking to work in consulting?

Focusing on one or two important technical skills and becoming an expert is very valuable in the workforce. You can then take a skill that you’re well-versed in and apply it to situations where it is needed.

In hindsight, what advice would you give to your college self or other recent graduates about navigating the transition from school to work?

Completing school does not mean you’re done learning. When you start your career, you should be ready to learn even more than when you were in school, so be ready to continue studying and absorbing information. A full-time job comes with a lot more responsibilities than university classes.

What are your career goals and aspirations for the next few years?

I want to pass all the tests to become an Enrolled Agent to gain more tax knowledge. This will allow me to become a better tax advisor for my clients. I will continue to work with new clients to gain more exposure to different industries and expand my general business tax knowledge. I plan to take on more responsibilities to get the most experience possible.

What are the most important qualities for success in your field, and how do you cultivate those qualities in yourself?

The most important qualities in my field are organization, communication and problem-solving. First, you need to be very organized. We get sent a lot of information and have large Excel workbooks that collect data from different sources. A lot of emails come in from several different clients, so you need to keep them in order, or you’ll lose track of important data or messages. Second, we talk face-to-face with many employees within our clients’ businesses. You need to be good at keeping conversation and asking the right questions so that we get the information we need. However, communication goes further than just client meetings. Communicating with your teammates for effective workflow and talking with other teams to expand your network is important. Finally, problem-solving skills are needed for Excel work and writing reports. When working with an Excel model, unexpected problems arise either within the client data or your own way of approaching it. So, you must adapt and find the best way to execute what needs to be done.

Can you tell us about a mentor or advisor who has influenced your career development, and what did you learn from them?

Since the first day of my job, Jenny Goldinstein, a Senior Director of RCIS in the New York office, has guided me through my career. She is the person I go to with any questions related to client work or technical concepts. I’ve learned everything from Excel tricks to research and development (R&D) technical specifics to general client best practices from speaking with her. She’s always pushing me to learn more and is always there if I need help.

How do you approach networking and building professional relationships, and what tips would you offer to others?

I always approach any professional relationship with confidence. It is important to show someone you are confident in yourself and your work so that person will naturally feel confident in you. This leads to a strong and beneficial relationship that can benefit both parties positively. Always be friendly in any networking situation because you never know whom you will work with in the future. Share work and life stories so you can connect with someone on a work and personal level. This will help build strong professional relationships.

What's your favorite hobby or activity outside of work, and how did you get into it?

I love all sports—football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, etc. I avidly support all New York sports teams…the good ones: Yankees, Giants, Knicks, Rangers, etc. I love to attend Yankees games in the summer. They aren’t too expensive, and it’s a great place to meet your friends and new people. I’ve grown up loving sports because my dad always had whatever New York team was playing at the time on the TV.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

I would choose the ability to teleport. I love to travel, and this would make it so much easier. I would never worry about what plane or train ticket to buy. I could visit friends and family I’m never able to see and take a quick break for lunch in Italy if I wanted. There are endless opportunities with this superpower.

If you had to eat only one type of cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Italian food would be the one cuisine to eat for the rest of my life. It has so many of my favorite types of food, like pasta, meatballs, chicken, pizza and ravioli. They have great meats like prosciutto and soppressata and amazing cheeses like mozzarella and parmigiano reggiano. There are even amazing dessert options, such as gelato and tiramisu. And of course, they have a decadent wine selection! Italian cuisine has always been my No. 1 choice with no hesitation.

What are some fun facts about you?

I love the beach. I grew up going to Long Beach Island on the Jersey Shore. Any vacation would always include a beach because it is my true happy place. You can choose to relax or participate in many activities. I started surfing at a young age and was previously a surf and paddle board instructor as my first job as a teenager. Surfing is one of my favorite things, but unfortunately, there are few chances to do it throughout the year. So, during the summer, I try to find any chance to surf, even though the conditions in New Jersey haven’t been that great for the past couple of years.