Life At Protiviti

Transitioning from Intern to Full-timer, a Journey of Growth and Support

Sofia Palacios

Consultant 2, Metro D.C.

Originally from Venezuela, Sofia went to high school in New Mexico and then studied economics at the University of Pittsburgh. During her college sophomore year, she participated in a business mentoring programme that matched her with an individual who worked at Protiviti. That was when Sofia learned about the consulting profession and started to wonder if it might be for her.

 

"Discover Protiviti and the internship were both great opportunities to learn about the profession."

 

Transitioning from Intern to a Full-time Role

Following the advice of her mentor, Sofia decided to participate in the 2021 “Discover Protiviti” 2-day programme, which is designed to give college sophomores first-hand experience of consulting. The programme was virtual that year, but it was still highly interactive, and it sparked Sofia’s interest. She then interviewed for a Protiviti internship the following summer. Within weeks she received and accepted an offer to intern with Protiviti’s Pittsburgh office in 2022.

During her internship, Sofia worked on three different client projects – one of them on-site at a client warehouse. She felt lucky to be offered such a wide range of real-world consulting experiences. After a successful internship, she was offered a full-time position post-graduation, which she says allowed her to relax as she completed her senior year.

Building Confidence Through Team Care and Support

Sofia officially started her consulting career in July 2023 with Protiviti’s Business Performance Improvement practice, and has no regrets about the choice she made. A self-confessed extrovert, she enjoys meeting new people and dealing with new challenges – although she says it took a little while to transition from being a student to being a full-time professional with a schedule and a working week.

She also had to shake off her initial sense of “imposter syndrome” – within the practice she is often the youngest person in the room and found it difficult at first to speak up, even though her team mates were encouraging and supportive. But now she feels confident enough to offer her ideas and opinions, and has also learned to navigate the many business relationships in the office and client environments.

“Discover Protiviti and the internship were both great opportunities to learn about the profession,” she says. “I am grateful to work with such welcoming and supportive people. I was initially intimidated by the transition from being a student to starting my career, but with peers who want you to succeed and are willing to help, I’ve realised it isn’t as intimidating as I thought.”

Sofia's commitment to learning and growth, combined with the care and support from her team, makes her story a true reflection of Life At Protiviti.

More stories of our people

Trish Finnemore: Protiviti’s senior global marketing director coordinates APAC and Europe teams from Australia, meeting with U.S., Asia, and Europe to collaborate globally and leverage digital trends in marketing.
Johana ten Hove: Tasked with expanding the Zurich practice to meet client needs, Johana stepped up to plate. By going out of her way to care for her clients, colleagues and practice, Johana’s story is a shining example of Life at Protiviti.
Aimee Bhakthavachalam: Aimee journey at Protiviti showcases her relentless drive for growth and innovation, tackling client data challenges, embracing new skills, and committing to continuous learning, problem-solving, and excellence.
Lindsey Higgins: Since transitioning from a contractor to a full-time employee, Lindsey has thrived at Protiviti. “Everyone has taken me under their wing and genuinely supported me,” she says. “I’ve never felt that way in a company before.”
Bart Bradley: Bart's journey at Protiviti exemplifies visionary leadership and innovation. Tasked with creating the Americas Delivery Center, he embraced new ideas, built a strong foundation, and cultivated a team that delivers consistent excellence.
Nick Ciafardini: Nick combined his passion for sports and data analytics to help develop an app that improved golfer Matt Fitzpatrick's game. This project showcased how technology and collaboration can drive success in sports performance.
Champaigne Powell: As a senior recruiter on Protiviti’s recruiting team, Champaigne spends a lot of her time working closely with students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Hendrik Sadie: Hendrik joined Protiviti in 2013, and thrives despite Treacher Collins Syndrome and severe hearing loss. Originally from South Africa, he finds support at Protiviti, where the firm's inclusivity efforts have enabled his success.
Chintan Thakkar: Chintan’s journey from teen immigrant to Managing Director in Dallas embodies the essence of collaboration at Protiviti. His story of bridging gaps and uniting diverse perspectives showcases how collaboration drives our success.
Joshua Cloud: Manager Joshua excels in cybersecurity at Protiviti while leading diversity efforts through BEING Men, fostering a culture of inclusivity.
Rupert Fischer: A graduate consultant in the Protiviti London office, Rupert bridges his passion for consulting and client service with his commitment to the British Army Reserve.
Brittany Parker: Brittany Parker drives recognition programmes that elevate employee morale and client experiences, fostering a culture of gratitude and innovation across the global team.
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