Work – Ursula D.

Aline Kolankowski on Working at Accenture in Management Consulting

March 12, 2021Business, College and CareerLeave a Comment

Learn all about work in the Talent and Organization / Human Potential practice.

Aline Kolankowski is a woman of many talents and persuasions. She is a hot sauce and pickle maker as well as a Peloton rider in her spare time and, from a work perspective, a management consultant at Accenture. Needless to say, Aline succeeds at whatever she puts her mind to.

Aline graduated from Gettysburg College with a concentration in computer science and a major in biology, yet entered the workforce working as a systems manager at American Express, where she worked for 13 years. From there, Aline worked at both Honeywell and CBS in Human Resources, before getting let go from her job in 2009.

Aline took this time to step back and re-evaluate her life trajectory – she even had a brief stint as a realtor, yet quickly realized this wasn’t a good fit. It was during this period that Aline pivoted to doing contract consulting and instantly fell in love with the type of work. After blindly applying online through Accenture’s job portal, she landed a job there as a management consultant manager working within the Talent and Organization / Human Potential practice. Through her work at Accenture, Aline has learned an incredible amount, including everything from cyber security and Salesforce to what the workforce of the future will look like.

Aline describes her work as building and managing relationships with her clients, vendors, and team in order to facilitate achieving goals. A day of work for Aline is dynamic- right now she is working through “hyper care” or post go-live support for her project at a large pharmaceutical company. Her objective is to ensure that their client hits all of their targets and she ensures this by having regular calls with them to go through open issues to get things resolved. Aline also meets with her business and technical teams, developing business requirements and solutions for her clients. Overall, Aline works to manage risks and juggle priorities, all while updating her clients on all of the above. When there is even a brief period in her day, Aline tries to fit in training and skill-building to keep herself sharp. Accenture consultants are encouraged to work on “plus one” projects that can help them gain experience and exposure to the extensive Accenture network.

Aline notes that the most compelling aspect of her work is the relationships she is able to build with her clients and team. She mentions a specific change management project she worked on with a Mid-Western technology company. Through this project, Aline was personally able to widen the depth and breadth of her knowledge, while making a significant impact on the company she was working with. She learned how to get employees engaged and involved as well as how to motivate people to see a different perspective through communication, tools, training, and interventions. Achieving the outcome doesn’t always come easy, however. Relationship building and aligning everyone in the right direction are some of the biggest challenges that Aline faces in her work, especially when she feels that everything is moving in the right direction until everything quickly begins to unravel again. Nevertheless, getting to see the outcome of her work – changing the way people do things – is what fascinates Aline and keeps her motivated in what she does.

Not only her clients do her clients motivate her, but the opportunity to step into a senior management position is also what engages Aline, as she is excited by the prospect of being able to lead more projects and take on more responsibility.

When asked about the best professional advice someone has ever given to her, Aline recalls a time when she had to speak to all of her American Express HR colleagues, yet was anxious to do so. Aline remembers one of her colleagues reassuring her not to be nervous because she was the only person in the room that knew what she was talking about at the level of expertise.

Her biggest takeaway- be confident in your own knowledge.

Aline’s advice for those looking to pursue a profession in consulting is to realize that it often seems glamorous, however, it’s much more work than glamour overall. Yet, despite the sleepless nights, there are so many opportunities to learn and grow, that if it’s something you are interested in, go for it and try it out. When it really comes down to it, finding meaningful work is about finding good people that you trust and value around you. Aline is eager to return to those people she has found at Accenture very soon, once face-to-face interactions and in-person client meetings are back on. In the meantime, she knows that those she needs are just a phone call away.

Colonel Dave Blackburn on being a Helicopter Pilot

September 28, 2020November 19, 2020College and Career, Lifestyle, Travel1 Comment

Have you ever dreamt of becoming a helicopter pilot when you were younger? Can you even imagine growing up and becoming one! Read all about Colonel Blackburn’s journey, right here.

Many people dream of flying, but not very many people ever get the chance. Colonel Dave Blackburn, however, is not one of those people. From jumping out of planes, to flying all over the German countryside, to serving in Operation Desert Storm, Colonel Blackburn has done it all and then some, a wealth of knowledge for anyone looking to gain their wings. I am fortunate enough to know Colonel Blackburn through my father, who also served as a helicopter pilot in the Army. Between the two of them, I could listen to their stories for hours and hope to share some of them with you over time. For now, here are some of Colonel Blackburn’s highlights from high in the sky.

Colonel Blackburn, share with us a little bit about yourself!

I grew up in a suburb just outside of Baltimore, Maryland. My dad worked at Bethlehem Steel as a Millwright, fixing cranes on the docks where ships came in to drop off iron ore and my mom worked for AT&T. We were working class people. We lived in a 1,000 square foot, 3 bedroom, 1 bath house. Today, you’d say wow, that’s tiny… one bathroom for four people? When you’re a kid, you don’t know what you don’t know; the house seemed fine. My eventual wife, Lisa, lived a few blocks away and we’ve known each other since 5th grade. We became boyfriend and girlfriend at the end of 9th grade. We’ve been married for 37 years and have three daughters. Two were born in Germany during two separate three-year tours there and our middle daughter, Rachel, was born in Leavenworth, Kansas. Rachel played basketball for and graduated from the University of Nebraska. Rebecca, the oldest, graduated from the University of Kansas. Katelyn the youngest is currently a junior at the University of Kansas, studying computer engineering.

I went to Towson University in Maryland where I joined ROTC. I was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant 1983. After going to Infantry School, I went to Flight School. Flight School was nine months. Our first assignment was Germany. We went back to Germany a decade later (six years total). I served in South Korea, I was in operation Desert Storm with the 82nd Airborne Division. I was a Lieutenant Colonel and new Battalion Commander at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on 9/11. We eventually deployed the battalion to Afghanistan and a few years later I spent a year in Iraq. I retired from the Army as a colonel. It was a tough life with a lot of separation.

What was the training like leading up to being able to fly solo?

Flight School started at Fort Rucker, Alabama on November 25, 1983. It was a big deal to finally get our flight suits, it meant you were some kind of aviator. We had about 2 weeks of class work before going to the flight line, this part of the training was called Primary. It was out at Hanchey Army Airfield. We met our instructor pilot (IP) and got paired up with a fellow student, this guy was called your “Stick Buddy.” I was paired with 2LT Tom Charron, we were rare in that we remained “Stick Buddies” all the way through flight school. Tom was a great American and we got along so well. Our IP was a retired Major named George Reese who had flown helicopters in Vietnam; I think we were his first students. Mr. Reese took us on our “Nickel Ride” (your first ride in a helicopter) in the TH-55, Osage Helicopter, which was a very small two seat helicopter. Hovering was hard. We’d fly out of Hanchey AAF to what was called a “Stage Field.” A stage field was a small airfield that had several runways or lanes. We would do hover and traffic pattern work there. You’d practice maneuvers like a normal approach, normal takeoff, steep approach, running landing, autorotation, slope landing and hovering autorotation.

It was cold when we were practicing hovering. However, I remember sweat rolling out of my helmet. I was really worried that I wouldn’t be able to master it, and I’d have to revert back to being an infantry officer.

After several hours of practice… (maybe 6 hours) It just happens, it’s like learning to ride a bike. Once you can hover, you can hover. It’s magical…

The aircraft is suddenly just steady. After about 10-12 flight hours we soloed. The IP would just get out and we took the aircraft out to the active runway and we’d do one traffic pattern (Traffic Pattern = up-wind, crosswind, downwind, base, & final). Eventually, we soloed out from Hanchey to the stage field. Flying straight and level is easy. I remember early on… You’d call Air Traffic Control(ATC) at a reporting point saying you’re inbound. ATC would say… Roger, whatever callsign, runway 27 in use, report entry left downwind. I remember Mr. Reese telling me to look at the airfield’s windsock and figure out the landing direction… I was thinking Hey buddy, I’m just trying to steer this thing… I have no idea about wind direction, but eventually you get it. Mr. Reese was always on the flight controls, so I never knew if I was doing the auto or was he moving the flight controls. At the end of what was called “Primary” we took our first check ride. I flew well on my first check ride. I still remember the IP gave me a 92. Mr. Reese was surprised I scored that high- he didn’t say it, but I could tell.

How did you first become a pilot and maintenance test pilot?

After coming back from Germany as a young captain, we went to Fort Rucker for the “Advanced Course.” Today, it’s called the “Captain’s Career Course,” which takes six months. I knew the army was always short aircraft maintenance officers and I saw it as an opportunity to stay in a unit rather than going off to what commissioned aviators called the “3-Rs” (Rucker, ROTC, or Recruiting). So, I volunteered and after the Advanced Course we went to Fort Eustis, Virginia for the AH-1 maintenance test pilot (MTP) course. The MTP course was 12 weeks long; the first part was 9 weeks of classroom, and the final 3 weeks was learning to test fly the aircraft. The final part of the course was very difficult… I don’t know how tough the other aircraft courses were, but the Cobra course was tough. There were only 4 of us in the Cobra course. We had to memorize the maintenance test flight checklist. So, the instructor pilot (IP) is in the front seat reading the checklist step and you have to repeat it and say what you’re doing and looking for, as spelled out in the checklist. Example…IP says: DC Generator switch. Student replies… DC Generator to DC Generator, note no change… It has been 30 years and that was an easy task that has been seared into my mind. I still remember other checklist items. I went to South Korea after the course and my wife, Lisa, and our first daughter stayed in the United States. I was there 21 months in the 2nd Infantry Division’s attack helicopter battalion in Uijeongbu, South Korea. A normal tour is 12 months, but I extended for an opportunity to be a company commander. Upon return to the United States, I went to Fort Rucker for the OH-58D transition course and after that course I went to the OH-58D MTP course at Eustis. After the course I reported to the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg and a few days later I was headed to Operation Desert Storm.

How many flight hours do you have and is it difficult to learn how to fly a helicopter?

I was a maintenance guy and maintenance guys don’t usually get nearly as many hours as line pilots or operators get…So, I don’t have many hours. I have 1,083 hours.

How many different helicopters have you flown and do you have a favorite and why?

I flew the UH-1H, Huey, the AH-1F, Fully Modernized Cobra, and the OH-58D, Kiowa Warrior.

The AH-1F, Fully Modernized Cobra was my favorite aircraft. It has guns, it has air conditioning (as long as the Turbine Gas Temp. was below 820 degrees centigrade), and it just looks cool- it’s sleek looking.

What is the best piece of advice that someone has given to you in regards to flying?

The internet didn’t exist when your dad and I went to flight school. Today, it’s a tremendous asset. I’d study everything you can find about flying. If you have the money, take private flight lessons in a fixed wing aircraft. If you don’t have the money for lessons in an aircraft, buy the best computer based flight simulator you can afford. You can learn a lot about how to fly instruments. Back then, 95% of us knew nothing about flying instruments when we started.

If you’re going to fly for the Army you’ll have to take the Flight Aptitude Selection Test(FAST). I recommend finding out everything you can about the FAST. Check your eyesight and see what the Army requires. For us, it was 20/20 uncorrected. Today, you may be able to get Lasik to correct to 20/20, but a flight surgeon will know. Check to see if you’re colored blind, that can eliminate a candidate too.

Do you have any memorable stories from your years flying?

I remember doing a test flight in a Cobra at Ft. Brag. I was in the 82nd Airborne Division, so the aviators also conducted airborne operations. Why aviators jumped is a good question, but back then we did, but not anymore. I was flying a Cobra in Test Flight Area 2 and we were doing a “Topping Check.” It’s a test flight maneuver where you fly up to 10,000 feet and pull the aircraft’s maximum power… The intent is to get the main rotor rpm to bleed off. So we’re up at 10,000 feet and off in the distance you can see Fort Bragg’s four biggest drop zones… Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, and Holland. They’re huge. That same night we had a “midnight ride”… meaning we had an airborne operation with a time on target of around 24:00. I walked out the door of an Air Force C-141 over Holland DZ and as I flew that afternoon, I thought to myself I’m in the only Army in the world that I can fly a Cobra at 10,000 feet in the afternoon, and jump out of a C-141 at midnight at 800 feet.

Was there a time where you were ever apprehensive about being a maintenance test pilot?

Apprehensive? No. A general test flight is set up so that you do run up checks first. If everything is ok, you do hover checks. If everything is ok you do flight checks.

If you could choose one person to fly co-pilot with you (disregarding their flight qualifications) who would it be and why?

Your dad and I never flew together. That would be very nice.

What advice would you give someone who is interested in learning more about aviation and maybe getting their pilots license?

I can only recommend from an Army perspective. If you want to fly Army helicopters and flying is your thing, I recommend you become an Army Warrant Officer. Warrant Officers remain in flying units doing flying jobs almost their entire career. You won’t make as much money, but you’ll fly. If you want to fly during some assignments, but want to lead people, become a lieutenant and go to flight school.

Check out universities that offer flight degrees. Embry Riddle is one. You can graduate there with an instrument rating (ticket). I think a university in South Dakota has a flight degree as well.

What I Learned Working in an Artisan Bakery

July 30, 2020October 1, 2020Food, LifestyleLeave a Comment

How working in foodservice changed my perspective, inspired creativity, and instilled gratitude.

Photo was taken from Liv Breads Instagram account

When I came back from being abroad my junior year in college, it was the end of November. I knew I would not be returning to school until late January and the prospect of sitting at home waiting to move back into my dorm drove me crazy. I had just traveled the world and craved more experiences and learning.

I knew about a new bakery that had just opened in my hometown over the summer called Liv Breads. When it first opened I went in to enjoy a coffee and a plethora of samples they offered, tasting their delicious sourdough breads and chocolate babka. I had always thought that it would be an amazing place to work and that thought never left my mind. The bakery was beautiful, with an open floor plan that allowed customers to see the bakers toss giant loaves into the oven, and the owners were always warm and friendly, not being shy to get behind the register and help customers out themselves.

Having remembered the bakery, I decided to go in one day with my resume and simply ask the owners if they needed any help during the busy holiday season. I was extremely nervous walking into Liv but knew that the worst thing that could happen would be that they said they were not hiring. My impromptu “interview” with the owners was quick, as they asked me about my customer service experience- which consisted of a summer working at a pizzeria on an island and my work at the college library front desk- and my culinary skills- which amounted to countless cooking classes and experimentation in my own kitchen. We exchanged numbers and, low and behold, I was offered a job working at the bakery!

When I arrived on my first day, I was handed an apron and placed at a work station in the kitchen. Thinking they would have me work the cash register, I thought to myself:

“Am I actually working in the kitchen here? Am I even qualified to do this?”

After a quick panic, I was shown probably close to 100 cauliflowers and was instructed on how to cut them. I spent close to all morning cutting the cauliflowers while I sipped on a coffee that one of the friendly baristas made for me. (Thanks Dylan!)

While working in the kitchen, I learned invaluable culinary skills, like how to make food in large batches- egg salad, tuna salad, quiches, roasted vegetables, and various dressings- the proper technique of how to cut all different types of vegetables, and how to taste and adjust recipes. I learned how the produce ordering was managed and how the ingredients were purchased. But, I also learned about true grit and hard work. Almost every day for the month and a half of my winter break, I came to the bakery at 6 am to prepare for opening and sometimes stayed until closing, helping to tidy up the front and back-of-house. When the dishwasher could not come in, I helped to wash the greasy pans and used dishes. When the customers came in huge waves, I worked overtime to make sure we had enough cut roasted vegetables, sandwiches, and salads to last until the end of the day. Despite some hard hours and grueling days, I would not change a thing about this experience.

From working at Liv, I tasted halva and pure tahini for the first time. I learned how to make delicious soups, quiches, salads, and savory focaccia from family recipes. I was introduced to Jewish culinary traditions and learned about the dietary laws within Judaism, such as pareve. I became friends with amazing, hard-working people and learned about their journeys in becoming bakers, baristas, dishwashers, and cooks in their own ways. I learned what amazing management looks like and how, if you work hard and are motivated by kindness, you can run a successful business. When I spilled close to a gallon of olive oil on the kitchen floor- which did in fact happen- or accidentally made pesto with sugar instead of salt- which also happened- I was never criticized or made to feel bad about my mistakes. Instead, I was encouraged to problem solve and learn how to fix them. I was asked to try all of my food and to suggest new ideas. I was pushed to be inspired in the kitchen, despite being a novice, and motivated to want to come to work every day to be and do my best.

One of the biggest lessons I learned was how hard people in the foodservice industry work. When I worked at the bakery alongside my co-workers, we spent hours on our feet whether we were working in the kitchen, in the bread baking department, or taking orders at the front of the bakery. It was a surprisingly physical job, which required endurance for making food, consistently sanitizing every surface and piece of equipment, and lifting heavy containers all day. I definitely slept well that winter break!

Since my employment at Liv, whenever I visit a local restaurant or cafe I think about how many actors there are behind the scenes of food production, something I had never considered before. There is so much work that is being undertaken out of the sight of the consumer, it is easy to take advantage of the opportunity to walk into a coffee shop and simply order a coffee. Now I know just how much hard work goes into making small food businesses operate and thrive. Working in food service taught me not to be afraid to get my hands dirty and instilled in me gratitude toward those who work in the industry. I would have never discovered all of this had it not been for some extra time, an idea, some incredible employers, and a chance worth taking.