A Day in the Life of an Arc Aspicio Consulting Associate
Insights / Blog

A Day in the Life of an Arc Aspicio Consulting Associate

A Day in the Life of an Arc Aspicio Consulting Associate

My clock radio goes off at 6 AM and I’m out of bed and excited for a new day. By 6:45 AM, I’m out the door on my way to the office. The commute is a time for me to gather my thoughts, read the morning paper, and prepare for the tasks I have to address first.

I’m usually at my client site desk by 7:45 AM. I’ve been on my current project since I first started with Arc Aspicio a year and a half ago. I am part of Arc Aspicio’s consulting practice, meaning my day-to-day activities typically take place on a client site. Our consultants support many contracts for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Though we have specialists that provide technical experience in one certain task or activity, as a consultant, I must be versatile and adaptable to the needs of my client. It also means I get to do many different types of work every day.

After checking my calendar, I update my weekly task list to see what my biggest priorities are. If working for Arc Aspicio has taught me anything, it’s that great task organization and planning is extremely important to achieve success as a consultant. Managing multiple deliverables, communications with numerous stakeholders, and questions from team members can be hard to manage. It’s crucial to find a system that works for you, and our team members at Arc Aspicio often assist each other with best practices in task and time management.

By 8:30 AM, I’m preparing slides for a client conference call to be held later that day. My client materials must be interesting, professional, and error free. If I ever need ideas for appropriate formatting or how to make complex concepts more presentable, Arc Aspicio provides a variety of different tools and methods to help me, even on my client site work.

By 10 AM, it is time for my morning update call with my project team. I joined a consulting firm because I thoroughly enjoy working with people from diverse professional backgrounds. On my project, we have software developers, policy experts, technology managers, former Federal employees, and business strategy consultants all working together to accomplish a central mission. It is rewarding to me when many different talents come together to accomplish one goal.

After completing a client report, it is time for lunch at noon. Today, my Arc Aspicio teammates and I are going out together for a group lunch. It has been a busy week, so this time allows us to catch up and relax. The people at Arc Aspicio truly make work worthwhile, and my team is no exception. We care about each other’s well-being and take time out of our days to see how we are all handling our responsibilities. I specifically applied to Arc Aspicio because of what I heard about its corporate culture and the camaraderie of its employees. We hire talented people that not only meet the needs of our clients but also want to actively participate in growing a young company. This is an experience, and it is even more enjoyable because the people here want to be a part of it.

Back at the office, I have a 1:00 PM call with one of our executives to discuss planning for a company strategy initiative. We are preparing training for different project teams. As a growing consulting firm, Arc Aspicio relies heavily on its employees at all levels to carry out the company strategy. I have the opportunity to speak work with company leaders – our CEO, President, and company directors – on a regular basis. They learned my areas of expertise early on and have given me the chance to develop areas of the internal company strategy that interest me.

After the call, I spend the next few hours planning modules for the training sessions. At 4:00 PM, I have my weekly check-in meeting with my supervisor. We review my task tracker, which I share with my supervisor through our company’s SharePoint site, and discuss ongoing tasks and deliverables I have finalized in the past week.

First and foremost, I serve as a problem solver for my client. To me, that is what makes consulting exciting. The day-to-day for our client’s activities never go 100% according to plan, so we must be there to serve as fixers and critical thinkers. Many of my clients view my team as the calm and collective voices that provide sound advice during difficult times.

By 5:30 PM, I have wrapped up most of my day’s activities. I shut down my computer and head over to the bus stop to begin my commute home. I put on my headphones and set my phone’s music playlist on shuffle as I wait. Another great day in the books.

Blog Arc Aspicio Culture and Vision

Contributors

Arc Aspicio |

Arc Aspicio enhances the future of our nation by creating bold ideas and bringing them to life. A consulting and solutions company, Arc Aspicio solves problems by applying our integrated capabilities in strategy, design, data, human capital, behavioral science, and technology. The company passionately pursues our vision to be the hub of creativity where people take action to change the world. To do this, employees collaborate with clients and partners to create solutions using a human-centered approach. Innovation is not possible without action. The company focuses on strategy first, then takes a hands-on approach implementing ideas to achieve results. Join Arc Aspicio and our Strategy Innovation Lab (SILab) by creating and sharing ideas to inspire people to change the world. Follow us on Twitter @ArcAspicio @SILabDC and, #welovedogs!

Meet Arc Aspicio  |  View all Insights by Arc Aspicio

△
Building Trust in Government through Accessible Information for the Public

Building Trust in Government through Accessible Information for the Public

More than one in four Americans have a disability according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Federal compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 increases the reach of Government by making Federal programs and resources accessible to all. To achieve 508 compliance, digital products must adhere to industry-wide standards for color contrast, alternate text, and PDF tags. 508 compliance is about more than just adhering to regulations – it gives everyone a fair chance to apply for benefits and stay informed.

→
Jackie Lamb
Using AI to Strengthen Local Jurisdictions Against Human Trafficking

Using AI to Strengthen Local Jurisdictions Against Human Trafficking

Combating human trafficking requires sensitivity to the experiences of victims, whose trauma and fear can make identification and cooperation especially challenging. Significant resources and coordination must be managed across jurisdictions for law enforcement agencies and non-profit organizations to detect and investigate these complex crimes. Because of the significant resources and energy required, small and local jurisdictions often lack the capacity to identify, investigate, and prosecute these crimes.

→
Maria Ventura
,
When Every Moment Counts: How FEMA Works with State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Stakeholders

When Every Moment Counts: How FEMA Works with State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Stakeholders

Disaster management is a complex undertaking, one that requires smooth operation across all levels of the Government. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) works with a network of emergency managers and other stakeholders before, during, and after natural disasters, including state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) Government agencies. Each SLTT agency’s circumstances are unique, including their knowledge base, budget, resources, and relationships with other Government agencies.

→
Michael Finnegan
From Checkpoints to Confidence: Building Security Through Public Trust

From Checkpoints to Confidence: Building Security Through Public Trust

Strong border security measures depend on earning the public’s trust and therefore, public cooperation. Recent updates to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) procedures highlight how small adjustments can have significant impact when it comes to building this trust. Changes such as eliminating the need for passengers to remove shoes or laptops under certain conditions not only reduce delays but also demonstrate responsiveness to the concerns of travelers. These shifts improve efficiency while sending a message: Security can adapt to meet both safety requirements and public expectations.

→
Connor Fahey
Culture is the Strategy Engine: Empowering Managers to Lead with Data

Culture is the Strategy Engine: Empowering Managers to Lead with Data

Strategy is a set of decisions about what an organization will – and will not – do to achieve its goals. The larger the organization, the more challenging it is to implement a strategy. A clear, well-understood strategy helps focus resources and effort on an organization’s most important priorities. Culture, however, is the key to making strategy happen, especially in large, complex organizations like the Federal Government.

→
Lynn Ann Casey
,
Picture This: How Information Graphics Tell a Story to Key Stakeholders

Picture This: How Information Graphics Tell a Story to Key Stakeholders

Effective communication is essential for Government program leaders, especially when conveying complex or mission-critical information to stakeholders. While traditional methods like written or spoken updates can fall short, infographics offer a powerful alternative by making data more accessible, memorable, and engaging. By mastering the key principles of infographics in storytelling, leaders can transform stakeholder communication. Using well-crafted infographics not only enhances clarity but also drives stronger project outcomes.

→
Christian Duncan
,
Taking a Human-centered Approach to Address Challenges at our Border

Taking a Human-centered Approach to Address Challenges at our Border

In today’s global landscape – shaped by increased migration, globalization, and evolving security concerns – agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) must balance national security with the efficient processing of individuals entering the country lawfully. To manage risk and maintain security, CBP can continue to prioritize the needs of travelers who must enter the country quickly by taking a human-centered approach.

→
Arc Aspicio
, ,
Enhancing Homeland Security Operations with GenAI

Enhancing Homeland Security Operations with GenAI

Every month, artificial intelligence (AI) increases in both popularity and capability. AI refers to a computer’s ability to perform automated tasks in a manner that mimics human intelligence. In today’s fast-paced environment, AI provides Federal agencies with a solution to reduce time spent on repetitive tasks (e.g., data entry and analysis) to prioritize complex, mission-critical work.

→
Jackie Lamb
, ,
Why Lasting Collaboration is Key for Effective AI Regulation

Why Lasting Collaboration is Key for Effective AI Regulation

With the advent of generative AI and the explosion of data privacy, bias, and other concerns, the need for effective AI regulation is becoming increasingly important.

The Federal Government and private sector already have an interest in working together to create strong regulations. The private sector’s knowledge and flexibility provides innovative solutions to the Federal Government, while rigid Federal regulations reduce the likelihood that tech companies will invest in products that could be regulated out of existence.

→
Arc Aspicio
,
Telling Stories with Data

Telling Stories with Data

In today’s fast-paced world, where information overload is the norm, effective data storytelling is essential for Government agencies to interpret complex datasets and clearly communicate insights to policy makers and stakeholders. Agencies like Homeland Security are tasked with enhancing their decision-making and information capabilities to fulfill their missions, report to Congress, and engage with citizens. It is imperative for Federal agencies to use available tools and capabilities to conceptualize and effectively communicate data-driven insights.

→
SILab
, ,
Trust and Understanding: Knowing Your Stakeholders is the Key to Delivering Mission Results

Trust and Understanding: Knowing Your Stakeholders is the Key to Delivering Mission Results

Building trust with stakeholders takes a thoughtful, structured approach that prioritizes understanding their needs, expectations, and perspectives. A consistent, repeatable process, founded on proven principles of human-centered design, allows for a tailored approach to better engage and connect with stakeholders and deliver effective solutions through the most effective channels.

→
Arc Aspicio
, ,
Building Trust in Government through Transparency and Accountability

Building Trust in Government through Transparency and Accountability

Building trust in the Government requires transparency and accountability. In recent years, sociopolitical challenges, technological advancements, and local issues have eroded some public confidence in Government institutions. To address this, Federal agencies can intentionally invest in fostering transparency and demonstrating their commitment to accountability by taking thoughtful and clear actions tied to mission goals.

→
Arc Aspicio
,