Cornell Career Services partners with leading organizations through the Digital Career Hub Sponsorship Program to enhance career resources. We asked our employer partners to answer six key questions to help you navigate your career path.
Zoe Lee-McDermott
AlphaSights
Vice President, Corporate Accounts
Cornell University Affiliation: College of Human Ecology, Human Development, Class of 2018
What does your company do, and what makes it unique in your industry?
AlphaSights is a global information services firm that delivers knowledge on-demand to top decision-makers across investment, consulting, and corporate industries. We connect clients with industry experts to help them make faster, more informed decisions. What sets us apart is our scale, growth, and high-performance culture, plus industry-leading technology that powers our platform. Even early in your career, you can have direct commercial impact from day one.
What skills or qualities do you look for most in recent college graduates?
I look for people who embody our core values: results orientation, adaptability, drive, humility, and empathy. The associates who go from good to great are highly driven, enjoy working hard, and take ownership of results. I also look for “humble tinkerers”: people who are curious, coachable, and always looking for ways to make their work, team, and firm a little better every day. Background matters less than mindset and potential.
What trends do you see shaping your industry in the next 5–10 years?
Our industry will become even more competitive as new entrants emerge and clients expect faster, smarter insights. AI will play a major role, but it won’t replace human expertise. As AI becomes widely adopted, human judgment and real-world perspective will remain key differentiators. The real shift will be how effectively firms use technology to empower talent, improve execution, and deliver better results faster, something we’re investing heavily in at AlphaSights.
What AI tools or technologies should students in your field be familiar with before entering the workforce?
Familiarity with tools like ChatGPT and Claude is a great starting point, but more important is understanding how to apply them in real work. Students should explore practical use cases: structuring thinking, accelerating research, improving communication, and increasing efficiency. AI should be viewed as a supplement, not a replacement for critical thinking. The biggest advantage comes from knowing when and how to use these tools to work faster and smarter.
What’s the work culture like at your organization?
Our culture is fast-paced, collaborative, and highly energetic. We hire people who are motivated to grow, support one another, and deliver great outcomes for clients, and that drive is felt across the firm. Community is a big part of the experience, with active employee resource groups and strong professional development opportunities. I’m personally involved in our Cornell alumni network as well as AAPI, Pride, and Women’s Initiative groups.
If you could give one piece of advice to current college students preparing for their careers, what would it be?
Focus less on finding the “perfect” first job and more on finding a place where you’ll learn fast, be challenged, and get real responsibility early. Build strong relationships, ask thoughtful questions, and be curious about how businesses actually work. Stay adaptable and comfortable with change, and learn how to use technology, including AI, to amplify your thinking rather than replace it.
