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Trying to decide on a career as a consultant
I was just wondering what some of you consultants out there did to start your career. I know B-school is a good idea. Trying to figure out what else could help me. #career #consulting #business
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Ryan’s Answer
Hey Zachary, B school will give you the foundations for consulting and is mostly a requirement for the large consulting companies, although they make few exceptions for business owners and entrepreneurs who have gone through some kind of acquisition process.
I did not get a business degree, I went a route I don't recommend taking but I focused on understanding people. Sociology and psychology can help get you some tools for this understanding but what helped me the most was building and crafting a way to communicate between stakeholders and translate business objectives between teams (technical and non-technical / business savvy and creative). The contrast between people and language is a huge barrier for organizations and the end result of consulting is to ensure that there's a strategic plan that everyone buys into. Well, the foundations of business and finance (from B school) are required but just as equally important is to ensure that intentions are aligned properly and this is done through mediation, communication, and translation.
Here are some traditional ways to help you prepare for a career in consulting:
1. Gain relevant experience: Consider internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work in fields related to consulting, such as management, finance, or data analysis.
2. Develop analytical and problem-solving skills: Consulting firms value candidates who are skilled at analyzing data, identifying problems, and developing solutions. Consider taking courses or workshops in statistics, programming, or other analytical tools.
3. Build a professional network: Attend industry events, join relevant professional organizations, and reach out to professionals in your desired field to build relationships and gain insights into the industry.
4. Consider certification: Some consulting firms value candidates with specific certifications, such as project management or Six Sigma. Consider obtaining certifications relevant to your desired consulting field.
5. Develop strong communication and interpersonal skills: Consultants often work closely with clients, so strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential. Consider taking courses or workshops in public speaking, presentation skills, or negotiation.
I did not get a business degree, I went a route I don't recommend taking but I focused on understanding people. Sociology and psychology can help get you some tools for this understanding but what helped me the most was building and crafting a way to communicate between stakeholders and translate business objectives between teams (technical and non-technical / business savvy and creative). The contrast between people and language is a huge barrier for organizations and the end result of consulting is to ensure that there's a strategic plan that everyone buys into. Well, the foundations of business and finance (from B school) are required but just as equally important is to ensure that intentions are aligned properly and this is done through mediation, communication, and translation.
Here are some traditional ways to help you prepare for a career in consulting:
1. Gain relevant experience: Consider internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work in fields related to consulting, such as management, finance, or data analysis.
2. Develop analytical and problem-solving skills: Consulting firms value candidates who are skilled at analyzing data, identifying problems, and developing solutions. Consider taking courses or workshops in statistics, programming, or other analytical tools.
3. Build a professional network: Attend industry events, join relevant professional organizations, and reach out to professionals in your desired field to build relationships and gain insights into the industry.
4. Consider certification: Some consulting firms value candidates with specific certifications, such as project management or Six Sigma. Consider obtaining certifications relevant to your desired consulting field.
5. Develop strong communication and interpersonal skills: Consultants often work closely with clients, so strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential. Consider taking courses or workshops in public speaking, presentation skills, or negotiation.
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Brittany’s Answer
Hi Zach,
B-school is an option but not required. Networking through campus recruiting is also a good way to get to know the people and culture of each firm you are interested in, and hear about different experiences across lines of service. An internship in consulting or in a relevant industry is also great to have hands on experience outside of the classroom. Consulting is about learning to become comfortable with being uncomfortable because you are constantly changing environments, teams, subject matter, etc. at an accelerated pace. Find a few mentors in the field who can also give you honest, unfiltered opinions about the pros and cons. Working with mentors, interning, and networking will also help you learn to talk "consulting speak" which is key to navigating different client scenarios. Getting involved in recruiting early, not just waiting until spring semester of senior year is also key. I had to network most of my sophomore year in order to land the Big Four internship for junior year.
B-school is an option but not required. Networking through campus recruiting is also a good way to get to know the people and culture of each firm you are interested in, and hear about different experiences across lines of service. An internship in consulting or in a relevant industry is also great to have hands on experience outside of the classroom. Consulting is about learning to become comfortable with being uncomfortable because you are constantly changing environments, teams, subject matter, etc. at an accelerated pace. Find a few mentors in the field who can also give you honest, unfiltered opinions about the pros and cons. Working with mentors, interning, and networking will also help you learn to talk "consulting speak" which is key to navigating different client scenarios. Getting involved in recruiting early, not just waiting until spring semester of senior year is also key. I had to network most of my sophomore year in order to land the Big Four internship for junior year.
Kiran Rane
Senior Manager - Technology Consulting in Financial Services
10
Answers
Updated
Kiran’s Answer
Hi Zachary M. - I shared this article with someone earlier and might help you as well. Good luck!
https://hbr.org/2020/07/is-consulting-the-right-career-for-you
https://hbr.org/2020/07/is-consulting-the-right-career-for-you
Updated
Jeff’s Answer
Find a field you are interested in and get as much experience doing as many roles in that field as you can. In consulting you need to be able to understand the needs of the business from all angles.
Excellent point
Aziz Abu Hakmeh
Updated
Syed’s Answer
Hi Zach,
I went to a top b-school, which is the least risky and most straightforward way of getting into consulting. However, everyone else has that idea and there are only so many internship and FT seats in any given year for b-school students.
Another option is going to a well-regarded engineering program (of any kind) and getting great grades/experience. Engineers with good soft skills are more attractive to consulting firms than b-school students because of their better quantitative and general problem solving skills.
Lastly, if you don’t get into consulting right out of undergrad, many firms have a robust referral program for early career professionals. Essentially if you’re about a year or so removed from grad school or undergrad, you can leverage an internal referral from a friend or former classmate to recruit on an off-cycle basis. I helped a couple friends through this process while at IBM, but it’s quite competitive and there’s no guarantees.
You can also consider taking a support role at a consulting company (think finance, HR, Ops, sales, etc.) and network your way into consulting roles. Some firms are more amenable to this type of internal movement than others.
Best of luck!
I went to a top b-school, which is the least risky and most straightforward way of getting into consulting. However, everyone else has that idea and there are only so many internship and FT seats in any given year for b-school students.
Another option is going to a well-regarded engineering program (of any kind) and getting great grades/experience. Engineers with good soft skills are more attractive to consulting firms than b-school students because of their better quantitative and general problem solving skills.
Lastly, if you don’t get into consulting right out of undergrad, many firms have a robust referral program for early career professionals. Essentially if you’re about a year or so removed from grad school or undergrad, you can leverage an internal referral from a friend or former classmate to recruit on an off-cycle basis. I helped a couple friends through this process while at IBM, but it’s quite competitive and there’s no guarantees.
You can also consider taking a support role at a consulting company (think finance, HR, Ops, sales, etc.) and network your way into consulting roles. Some firms are more amenable to this type of internal movement than others.
Best of luck!
Updated
Eric’s Answer
You can certainly look into B-school, but most consulting paths don't require it for you to get started. My suggestion here would be to take a look at the different types of consulting that might be interesting to you.
Here are a few to think about, just to give an idea of how broad the term consulting is
- Finance
- Marketing
- Human Resources
- Supply Chain
- IT Strategy
- Strategy
Once you know where you want to end up, if you can start solving problems in that area for projects, part-time jobs, volunteer work or however else you can, it makes for a more compelling story when you're applying for jobs.
Here are a few to think about, just to give an idea of how broad the term consulting is
- Finance
- Marketing
- Human Resources
- Supply Chain
- IT Strategy
- Strategy
Once you know where you want to end up, if you can start solving problems in that area for projects, part-time jobs, volunteer work or however else you can, it makes for a more compelling story when you're applying for jobs.
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Information Technology is a good consultant career. They’re plenty of jobs that need tech students. This world of innovation including the growth of a digital presence will need assistance maintaining and creating new ways to communicate you customers, business, and the world!
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Kasturi’s Answer
Trying your role as a Consultant is good. You need to know and decide on the following first.
1. Which domain or segment would you like to be a consultant?
2. What is your technical expertise related to - which field or segment - is it financial, industrial, mechanical?
3. Why do you want to be a consultant?
The key things for being a successful consultant is - knowing your subject very well (deep and broad), know the adjacencies which will help you have broad knowledge, good to work in a company or organization related to your field to get experience and exposure. Work for a good period of time say 7-10 years before you can operate independently.
Going to a B-school surely helps to gain management knowledge, gain educational knowledge and broader connect with folks in the Industry. Connect with Alumni of that Univ.
Go to B-school and get good grades
Get into a good Org to get good experience and exposure
Start working as independent Consultant
1. Which domain or segment would you like to be a consultant?
2. What is your technical expertise related to - which field or segment - is it financial, industrial, mechanical?
3. Why do you want to be a consultant?
The key things for being a successful consultant is - knowing your subject very well (deep and broad), know the adjacencies which will help you have broad knowledge, good to work in a company or organization related to your field to get experience and exposure. Work for a good period of time say 7-10 years before you can operate independently.
Going to a B-school surely helps to gain management knowledge, gain educational knowledge and broader connect with folks in the Industry. Connect with Alumni of that Univ.
Kasturi recommends the following next steps:
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D’s Answer
Top consulting firms (MBB*) hire people from diverse background. The key is to be able to gain experience in building good leadership potential, problem solving, interpersonal, analytical skills in your pre-consulting work experience.
*MBB = McKinsey & Co, Boston Consulting Group, and Bain
*MBB = McKinsey & Co, Boston Consulting Group, and Bain
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Elana’s Answer
I went into independent consulting after a long career in classroom teaching grades 3-university). It was an outgrowth of my interests in curriculum development and teacher training.
It's hard to know what "standard" consulting career tracks will look like post-pandemic . I think the economy will have a prolonged recession.
Hope that helps.
Stay flexible and expect a long job search
Use your school's alumni network aggressively
It's hard to know what "standard" consulting career tracks will look like post-pandemic . I think the economy will have a prolonged recession.
Hope that helps.
Elana recommends the following next steps:
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Sundar’s Answer
I joined a reputed MNC company and got into a consulting role. The consulting role provides me opportunity to interact with the customers and provide consultation to the customers, making recommendations and guiding the customers int heir line of business. This could be one option. There are many consultancies that offer consulting roles.
Pursuing a business course in one of the top business schools could be another option. This will also provide you with an opportunity to enhance your communication skills and soft skills and put you in good stead during your placements.
Pursuing a business course in one of the top business schools could be another option. This will also provide you with an opportunity to enhance your communication skills and soft skills and put you in good stead during your placements.
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Aaron’s Answer
Hi Zachary,
B-school (especially top tier) is a natural pipeline into the Consultant-level at major strategy consulting firms which sits in between Manager - who manages a client engagement and Senior Analyst/Analyst. Undergraduate degree (especially quantitative, CS, etc.) with a relevant internship is the typical entry point for the Analyst role.
Smaller consulting firms (Tier 2/3 generalist or industry specialist strategy consulting firms) are often more open to atypical backgrounds and could be a good entry point if you are concerned about the expense of B-school. There are tons of them out there. In some cases, you could use non-consulting experience in a particular industry to move into a consulting role at an industry specialist consulting firm.
Analytics backgrounds are also becoming increasingly important in consulting compared to 10-15 years ago. So you could also consider augmenting your experience with statistical and analytical tools (e.g. Alteryx, SPSS, etc.) to help improve your chances.
Hope this helps,
Aaron
B-school (especially top tier) is a natural pipeline into the Consultant-level at major strategy consulting firms which sits in between Manager - who manages a client engagement and Senior Analyst/Analyst. Undergraduate degree (especially quantitative, CS, etc.) with a relevant internship is the typical entry point for the Analyst role.
Smaller consulting firms (Tier 2/3 generalist or industry specialist strategy consulting firms) are often more open to atypical backgrounds and could be a good entry point if you are concerned about the expense of B-school. There are tons of them out there. In some cases, you could use non-consulting experience in a particular industry to move into a consulting role at an industry specialist consulting firm.
Analytics backgrounds are also becoming increasingly important in consulting compared to 10-15 years ago. So you could also consider augmenting your experience with statistical and analytical tools (e.g. Alteryx, SPSS, etc.) to help improve your chances.
Hope this helps,
Aaron
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
Find the field your interested in, become the expert, then look into consultation. Once you have been established as the subject matter expert in that field, your reputation, gets known, and then the network of opportunities will start. Your reputation will get you where you want to go
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Haylie’s Answer
I went to business school and got my degree in accounting. After working as a CPA for 3 years, I switched into consulting within the same firm. Business school is a great start because you get the fundamentals and learn about all the different aspects of a business but it is not the only path to get into consulting.
Consultants tend to know a little about a lot of different areas that a potential business or client will need help in. It is good to research about the different types of consulting that is out there (e.g. technology consulting, management consulting, strategy consulting) which can help narrow down the path you need to take to start a career in consulting.
Consultants tend to know a little about a lot of different areas that a potential business or client will need help in. It is good to research about the different types of consulting that is out there (e.g. technology consulting, management consulting, strategy consulting) which can help narrow down the path you need to take to start a career in consulting.
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Sathisha’s Answer
You can earn good being independent consultant and you would exposed many domains and you might get opportunity to solve many problems.
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Marc’s Answer
There are many paths into consulting. For instance, I started my career selling sports sponsorships. Sponsorships are are a very customized product. I have to learn about my prospect and customize a campaign that I propose to them. I realized the listening and solving part of the sales process was the part I liked best and figured I could build on that with a career in consulting. I spent two years getting my full-time MBA and then landed my current job as a strategy consultant.
There may be some paths to consulting that are more common than others, but as long as you are a personable problem solver (which case interviews evaluate for), it doesn't matter what you did before.
Good luck!
There may be some paths to consulting that are more common than others, but as long as you are a personable problem solver (which case interviews evaluate for), it doesn't matter what you did before.
Good luck!
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Nikki’s Answer
I attended business school and was recruited during on-campus recruiting by one of the consulting firms. Prior to attending business school, I worked in business intelligence which gave me a well-rounded background that was suitable for consulting.
Even if you don't intend to focus on information technology consulting, building experience in data analytics will give you a solid foundation for a career in consulting.
Even if you don't intend to focus on information technology consulting, building experience in data analytics will give you a solid foundation for a career in consulting.
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