Life after the Burg – Angela Perkey, W&M ’08

As an undergraduate, Angela Perkey was one of our most active and gifted students.  Angela was a Monroe Scholar, graduated from the College in just three years, did really impressive research on mentorship relations in Congress for my senior seminar, founded a public service organization in her spare time, and in general really excelled and made a difference around campus.  Last week, she was a guest blogger for the Huffington Post, discussing strategies for doing effective service work.  Angela recently touched base about her activities over the past two years….

After graduation in May 2008, I didn’t really know where life’s path would take me next.  I was an Economics and Government major, and was fortunate to land a solid job at an international accounting firm.  To be honest though, I was more excited (and relieved too!) about passing Professor Evans’ notoriously tough senior seminar exam than about the job.

The summer after graduation, I moved into my first real apartment in Washington, D.C. and began working as a tax consultant.  I quickly realized that this wasn’t my dream job or ‘what I wanted to be when I grew up’.  The problem was that although I had identified what I didn’t want to do, I still had no idea what I did want.  In the meantime, I continued leading Students Serve, the national nonprofit organization I started at William and Mary to give money to college students so that they can make a difference in the community.  I also wrote a book, Change the World, Change Your Life, to show people meaningful ways that they can help solve world problems.  (The book has just now been published.)

Like many recent graduates, I was laid off in August 2009 due to the economic downturn.  This turned out to be a blessing in disguise.  I was able to reflect on my personal skill set and identify new career opportunities that interested me.  In October, I accepted an offer to join Blue Ridge Partners, a consulting firm that specializes in helping companies grow their revenue.  I found the job posting on the W&M Career Center website.  Fortunately, the position as a Business Analyst couldn’t be a better fit!  I genuinely enjoy what I’m doing and think that I’m putting the knowledge that I learned at William and Mary to good use.  I am very thankful for the continued support that the College and its community of alumni, professors, administrators, and students have given me since graduation.