Last month, our PRISMites spent an amazing and productive three days in Washington, D.C. visiting powerhouse companies and making strides in several industries. PRISM visited Capital One, Accenture Federal Services, AKQA, and Amazon Web Services. This trip was not just an eventful excursion but an invaluable opportunity for our PRISMites to engage with some of the industry's leading companies and see the power of the PRISM Alumni Network in motion.
DAY ONE
After a chilly few hours spent waiting at the Amtrak Train Station only to learn that the train had been derailed, PRISM quickly pivoted and drove four hours to Washington D.C. Members spent the afternoon shopping in Georgetown and familiarizing themselves with the area ahead of the dinner with some amazing PRISM D.C. Alumni! At this dinner, PRISM connected with over fifteen outstanding alumni, all working in diverse industries and career paths at places like Deloitte, Booz Allen Hamilton, and so many more! It was so inspiring to hear from the alumni in how PRISM played a pivotal role with their professional growth and success. Members gained valuable insights into the variety of opportunities that are available post-graduation. PRISM then ended the evening with meaningful conversations and formed long-lasting connections.
DAY TWO
On the second day, PRISM visited numerous powerhouse companies, first of which was Accenture! It was inspiring to see their company culture and how much emphasis they place on fostering collaboration, ensuring a strong sense of teamwork and mutual respect. PRISM also made some connections with new and familiar faces at Accenture: Maria Wallace, Senior Manager of Learning and Leadership Development; Ana Nosal, Strategy and Consulting Manager; Anna Sherrod, Strategy and Consulting Analyst; Caroline Keys, Strategy and Consulting Analyst and also got a special visit from Managing Director of Marketing & Communications, Pamela Merritt! Some of the key takeaways PRISM gained from the Accenture visit was to take the time to find a role that fits you best and to accept trial and error as part of the process. Lastly, PRISM learned that one does not need to know everything; that’s what makes the process so authentic and unique. To close out Accenture, here’s an inspiring quote from Senior Manager of Lead Onboarding, Integration & Learning, Maria Wallace - “PRISM gave me real world experience working on a cross disciplinary team to deliver value to clients. The opportunities being part of the organization provided enabled me to not just get a job after graduating, but begin a purpose-focused career that aligns to my values. I gained an understanding of myself through the mentors and mentees that I met through PRISM- relationships that will span my career. I gained confidence, awareness, and technical skills that I still use today.”
That same day, PRISM also visited powerhouse company Capital One. The vision of Capital One is "We dare to dream, deliver, and disrupt a better way." This was very evident in their company culture as employees are encouraged to explore and try out different roles within the organization, promoting professional development and allowing them to find their ideal career path. PRISM was so excited to see former PRISMites and alumni, Marketing Manager, Laura Raives, and Business Analyst, Claudine Luo! During the visit with Capital One, PRISMites witnessed an exciting Walmart Case Study that taught them how to adapt to losses and turn them into opportunities. Overall, a fantastic time was had and PRISM is so grateful to the Capital One alumni for hosting PRISM!
Continuing into the eventful second day, PRISM also had the exciting opportunity to visit Amazon Web Services, hosted by incredible PRAAC member and Associate Account Executive, Savannah Meredith! Members toured around the beautiful office space and the Amazon team treated them to swag bags with AWS-branded merchandise. An intriguing lesson PRISM learned is that Amazon is an in-person work environment, with collaboration being at the heart of the company’s core. Employees work closely together on a daily basis to challenge themselves and achieve shared goals in a modern and creative style. A key takeaway from visiting Amazon is that there is always room to grow upward in a community, so never shy away from opportunities!
DAY THREE
Last but certainly not least, PRISMites were able to visit AKQA! The work style at AKQA was brilliant, with employees at all levels having the opportunity to work closely with senior leaders, fostering mentorship, open communication, and a collaborative approach to problem-solving. It was remarkable to see PRISM alumni and Associate Strategy Director, Blair Purdy, who hosted the visit and provided a tour of the office space. Another thing PRISMites learned was that employees go into the office every Tuesday for in-person collaboration, which enforces their sense of community and team spirit. Blair led the PRISMites through the Aeromexico design process of collaborating with stakeholders and creating a user experience from scratch. The entire process emphasized the importance of paying close attention to detail and how to manage quick turnaround times. Overall, it was a fantastic visit!
Overall, the trip to Washington, D.C. was an amazing and insightful experience, allowing for a sneak peek into the professional world by learning from some of PRISM’s fantastic alumni. The PRISMites dove into each company's culture and gained some invaluable career opportunities, all while bonding during the trip and creating lasting memories that will last a lifetime. Most importantly, members learned that one’s career journey is never linear…keep going!
Here’s a quote from one of PRISM’s own analysts, Reem Ahmed on her experience: “The PRISM DC trip was incredibly insightful and inspiring. Seeing how different companies balance work and personal life gave me a new perspective on what I want in my own career. Talking to alumni at dinner and then meeting them again at their workplaces showed me how PRISM opened doors for them, created opportunities, and taught lessons they still use daily. It motivates and excites me to apply those same lessons to my own growth and future.” Stay tuned for the next excursion; all the best PRISM Family!
