At Corios, we know that our talented team members are the fuel that propel our organization and the cornerstone to our success – so who better to tell the Corios story? Get to know more about the people behind the numbers in our new segment, “Team Stories.”
It’s not often that a management analytics firm is compared to a sports team – but for Analytics Consultant Austin Barber, Corios shares some of the same attributes. Since joining our firm in 2015, Austin has enjoyed not only this team spirit – but also the challenging work, mentorship, and vibrant environment at Corios.
“I have an athletic background, so I’ve learned to seek out a team environment,” says Austin. “I really appreciate being a part of a cohesive team. Everyone on the Corios team thrives together: whether we’re in the weeds working on a challenging problem for a client, or seeing the fruits of our labor and celebrating together – that’s a big area of support for me.”
“Everyone on the Corios team thrives together – whether working on a challenging problem or seeing the fruits of our labor.”
A solid first impression
Austin received his bachelor’s degree in math with a minor in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After seeing his cousins (who had also studied math) enjoy careers in consulting, Austin was inspired to follow suit. Corios quickly caught his eye.
“The website helped me to get a glimpse of what it would be like to work at Corios. A lot of consulting firms are very vague about what they do in data management and data consulting, so I appreciated how Corios was detail-oriented and transparent with a lot of team photos and whitepapers. ”
During the interview process, Austin’s enthusiasm about the position grew even further:
“Unlike other companies that run through a laundry list of questions in interviews, it seemed like they really wanted to get to know me. Along with asking more personal questions (like my favorite classes in college), there were also technical questions that made me think on my feet – which is what consultants have to do!”
“Unlike other companies that run through a laundry list of questions in interviews, it seemed like they really wanted to get to know me.”
Enjoying a collaborative environment
Although Austin faced challenging work at Corios, it was clear that he wasn’t in it alone. “I was impressed by how helpful my teammates were – including senior leadership. Everyone is always so busy, but if they have even a minute to spare, they’ll drop what they’re doing to help you. As a junior-level employee, that was really reassuring.”
“If anyone has even a minute to spare, they’ll drop what they’re doing to help you.”
Austin began to thoroughly enjoy the climate at Corios.
“I like the autonomy I have and the work I do. My hours are pretty flexible, but of course I’m responsible for the quality of my work and the time it takes. I work best when I’m under pressure and that’s the perfect storm of getting the best out of me… but our team knows how to relax when appropriate and grab a beer.”
As a bonus, Austin appreciates that he can utilize his passion for math on a regular basis. “You go to school and everyone says, ‘You’ll never use calculus in real life.’ But I broke out pen and paper last week to validate a client’s method of analysis!”
Joining a tight-knit team
When Austin was ultimately offered the position, he was excited to become part of a small team environment.
“Through my previous internship experiences, I figured out I enjoy working for smaller companies,” says Austin. “And Corios is no different. It fulfills a sense of camaraderie and my career feels more substantial. I feel fortunate to be part of a small team of really smart people.”
“[Working at a small company] fulfills a sense of camaraderie, and my career feels more substantial.”
Another element that surprised Austin? How cohesively team members worked together – even with diverse personalities.
“Some people on the team are extroverts and some are introverts, but we all know how to work together. Everyone is competitive, but we don’t compete with each other. I’m not trying to do better work than my teammate on a project – we’re all trying to do the best work that Corios can do.”
The collaborative and goal-oriented culture at Corios resonates with Austin – as does his team’s ability to balance work and play. “Everyone also enjoys their work at Corios. We get great fulfillment out of the work we do, and we know how to have a good time while doing it.”
In fact, the team often gets together after hours to relax and bond outside of work-related tasks.
“Whether we’re going across the street for drinks at Kells (our local Irish pub), or just having a laugh in the office, everyone has a good sense of humor,” says Austin. “And when we need to get to work, you just put your headphones on and zone in.”
Words of wisdom for future employees
For any team member, Austin emphasizes the importance of being able to pivot with different problems and to be able to think on your feet. He has learned from experience that these abilities can take time – but fortunately, Corios provides a rare support system.
“You have to be adaptable. Too much focus on one type of programming or type of work is not going to be beneficial here, given the dynamic nature of consulting. You’ll be expected to learn skills on your own. That said, every level of employee is an incredible resource. Just be patient – those abilities may not come right away, but they will eventually.”
Austin paints a fulfilling picture of working at Corios – so how would he describe the team to someone considering a career with the firm?
“The first word that comes to mind is ‘capable.’ Robin [President of Corios] helps people to focus on their strengths, and anyone on the team is capable of tackling any task that they’re given. That’s something I aspire to be able to do – and I believe I have the potential to do that.”
Interested in learning more about the Corios culture, or think you might be a good fit for our team? Check out our Careers Page.
