Andrew Pak
A senior consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton, Andrew Pak has channeled his energy into a variety of dynamic engagements and rewarding volunteer opportunities at Booz Allen.
Andrew serves clients primarily in the civil federal sector with his expertise in information assurance. “I’ve had an opportunity to work for an Under Secretary of a civilian department,” he says. “We developed an organization-wide cyber security plan impacting several program offices. The challenge was getting stakeholder buy-in from the program offices and translating it into a concise, comprehensive plan that would be enforced by the Under Secretary. I worked with senior management and gained intimate knowledge of client operations.”
He supports one of those program offices on another project. “As the head security liaison, I gather information related to cyber security, filter what is most applicable to my client, and advise him on the best course of action,” he explains. “Because I interact with my client on a weekly basis, we’ve developed a deep trust over the years.”
Career Development Opportunities at Booz Allen
Training strengthens the skills that Booz Allen staff provides to clients, and Andrew found that some classes were especially valuable to him. “Perhaps the most profound training I’ve taken at Booz Allen was ‘Interpersonal and Team Effectiveness,’” he says. “Our entire team took the course, which included a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator that not only identified my personality type, but helped me understand why others may act differently. Knowledge of my team’s individual personality styles improved collaboration and allows the team to leverage the skills necessary in developing long-term solutions.
“Another great training course was ‘Presentation Skills,’” Andrew adds. “Each student was videotaped while giving three presentations. We reviewed the tapes and received feedback on how to improve our techniques. This course made me cognizant of the way I present myself and gave me more confidence when speaking in front of audiences.”
Interesting and challenging work is important to Andrew, but so is contributing to a few of the many worthwhile efforts supported by the firm. He actively participates in Booz Allen’s diversity forums and co-chairs the networking and social events of the Junior Exempt Employees Forum (JEEF). As co-chair for the Asia Pacific American Forum (APAF), Andrew helps plan the group’s cultural events.
“I’ve participated in the Relay for Life to fight breast cancer and volunteered with the Backpack School Drive for underprivileged children.” Andrew says. “Not only are they good causes, but they also provide a chance to network with other great Booz Allen staff.”
Management Support and Latitude to Pursue Meaningful Goals
After hearing about the firm through career fairs and on-campus presentations, Andrew joined Booz Allen in 2004 after graduating from James Madison University, where he studied computer information systems and finance.
“The flexibility of Booz Allen is what really drew me to the firm,” he says. “I attended graduate school part-time after I joined, and management was very flexible with my academic obligations. The culture here cultivates an environment where you can succeed and yet achieve your goals outside of the office.”
One of Andrew’s goals involves a commitment to giving back. “In May 2007, I had an eye-opening experience when I visited Egypt and worked with children who live in the garbage slums,” he explains.
Cairo does not have a commercial trash collection system, so some residents collect trash and sell it to other residents who live in the “garbage slums.” Slum residents search through the trash for food and recyclables, their main source of income. A ministry sponsors a camp where children from the slums can enjoy meals and hot showers. Andrew says, “We played with the children at camp and sang songs with them in Arabic. We also visited the slums, where trash was piled in the streets, wild animals roamed, and families of up to 10 people lived in a single room. Nevertheless, the children were all smiles and loved to play soccer.
“I left Egypt a changed person, convinced that I can make a difference, whether through my time, money, or work.”
profile posted September 2007
