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How to become consultant?
Confused on the industry, hoping for help?
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9 answers
Updated
Katharine’s Answer
Hi Marissa,
Such a good question! I have been a consultant for 10 years now and I think I still struggle to explain what it is that I do. It's so hard to nail down what a "consultant" actually is because as any consultant will tell you, it depends! My 6 year old tells people that "Mommy helps people make good choices, and helps them when they make bad choices." And that's really what it is! There are a lot of ways to help people make good choices and a lot of companies that do it every which way. The industry has got data analytics, process improvement, tech overhauls, project management support, financial advisory, design and user experience consulting, and so much more.
The industry of consulting also lends itself to every other industry, from federal government, to commercial, from aviation to maritime to cyber security to the postal service. If you are good at problem solving and want to help people, consulting might be a great fit for you.
Good luck!
Such a good question! I have been a consultant for 10 years now and I think I still struggle to explain what it is that I do. It's so hard to nail down what a "consultant" actually is because as any consultant will tell you, it depends! My 6 year old tells people that "Mommy helps people make good choices, and helps them when they make bad choices." And that's really what it is! There are a lot of ways to help people make good choices and a lot of companies that do it every which way. The industry has got data analytics, process improvement, tech overhauls, project management support, financial advisory, design and user experience consulting, and so much more.
The industry of consulting also lends itself to every other industry, from federal government, to commercial, from aviation to maritime to cyber security to the postal service. If you are good at problem solving and want to help people, consulting might be a great fit for you.
Good luck!
Updated
Margaret’s Answer
Marissa - great question! The good news - there is so many ways to become a consultant and different ways to get there. I think you've gotten some great advice already but to add my two cents - there is not a one-size-fits all. Many people who I work with started out on completely different career paths such as nursing, accountants, engineers and have then decided they want to pursue consulting other businesses on best practices that they've learned being in the industry. There are also consultants who started right out of college in different areas of consulting such as technology or management. They gained their expertise by learning alongside more senior consultants and with targeted trainings put on by the consulting firm.
Updated
Max’s Answer
Hi Marissa,
There are many different ways to become a consultant. Some people go into the field out of college, some start in other jobs such as at banks or tech firms, and then switch into a consulting job. There's definitely no set path to becoming a consultant. I actually started my career in audit, and then switched into consulting after two years. Many of the skills I learned in audit transferred over to consulting, which speaks to a great aspect of consulting. There are so many different kinds of consulting in a multitude of industries, so skills you learn in one job can definitely transfer over to a consulting job. My industry is Financial Crimes, so I focus on topics such as Anti-Money Laundering and Fraud. Other industry examples are Deals, Transformation, Technology and Data, Asset Wealth Management, and the list goes on. This is one of the best parts about consulting; there are so many different industries and types of consulting that you can definitely find something you're interested in.
In terms of how to become a consultant, since you're a student, I would suggest attending school career fairs in order to meet and form a relationship with company recruiters. This is a great way to get your foot in the door, learn about consulting, and show that you're interested. You should go onto company websites and look into any potential internship opportunities as well, as many full time hires come from company internship programs. I would also suggest reading through (on the company website) all the different practices a company has and the industries they work in. This would be a great way to gain a background into the different types of consulting and narrow down what you're looking for. This will also demonstrate further interest to the recruiter, and show that you're being proactive into what you're looking for. Also make sure to attend any on-campus events for that company, as just another way to show interest.
Hope this helps!
There are many different ways to become a consultant. Some people go into the field out of college, some start in other jobs such as at banks or tech firms, and then switch into a consulting job. There's definitely no set path to becoming a consultant. I actually started my career in audit, and then switched into consulting after two years. Many of the skills I learned in audit transferred over to consulting, which speaks to a great aspect of consulting. There are so many different kinds of consulting in a multitude of industries, so skills you learn in one job can definitely transfer over to a consulting job. My industry is Financial Crimes, so I focus on topics such as Anti-Money Laundering and Fraud. Other industry examples are Deals, Transformation, Technology and Data, Asset Wealth Management, and the list goes on. This is one of the best parts about consulting; there are so many different industries and types of consulting that you can definitely find something you're interested in.
In terms of how to become a consultant, since you're a student, I would suggest attending school career fairs in order to meet and form a relationship with company recruiters. This is a great way to get your foot in the door, learn about consulting, and show that you're interested. You should go onto company websites and look into any potential internship opportunities as well, as many full time hires come from company internship programs. I would also suggest reading through (on the company website) all the different practices a company has and the industries they work in. This would be a great way to gain a background into the different types of consulting and narrow down what you're looking for. This will also demonstrate further interest to the recruiter, and show that you're being proactive into what you're looking for. Also make sure to attend any on-campus events for that company, as just another way to show interest.
Hope this helps!
Updated
Shannon’s Answer
Hi Marissa,
The responses you've received are right on point. There are many ways to become a consultant, and career paths often aren't straightforward. That's pretty normal. For example, I started out in auditing before moving into consulting.
Consulting is all about giving expert advice and support to organizations. Consultants help solve tough problems, improve how things work, and reach specific goals by offering special knowledge or viewpoints that might not be available within the company. Because of this, you can consult on almost anything in nearly any industry.
Many people think of strategy when it comes to consulting, but it actually covers a lot of business areas. This can include big-picture planning and decision-making (strategy), making operations more efficient, or focusing on specific fields like technology, finance, or managing people and changes.
If you're unsure about the industry, that's perfectly okay. A good next step is to think less about the job title and more about:
- The problems you like solving
- The skills you want to develop
- The kind of work and environment that excites you
These answers can help you see where consulting might fit in and what type of consulting could be best for you.
The responses you've received are right on point. There are many ways to become a consultant, and career paths often aren't straightforward. That's pretty normal. For example, I started out in auditing before moving into consulting.
Consulting is all about giving expert advice and support to organizations. Consultants help solve tough problems, improve how things work, and reach specific goals by offering special knowledge or viewpoints that might not be available within the company. Because of this, you can consult on almost anything in nearly any industry.
Many people think of strategy when it comes to consulting, but it actually covers a lot of business areas. This can include big-picture planning and decision-making (strategy), making operations more efficient, or focusing on specific fields like technology, finance, or managing people and changes.
If you're unsure about the industry, that's perfectly okay. A good next step is to think less about the job title and more about:
- The problems you like solving
- The skills you want to develop
- The kind of work and environment that excites you
These answers can help you see where consulting might fit in and what type of consulting could be best for you.
Updated
Shannon’s Answer
Marissa - This is a great question, and feeling confused about consulting is very common—because consulting isn’t a single industry or a straight-line career path.
Consulting is really about helping organizations solve problems by bringing an outside perspective. That can look very different depending on the type of consulting—strategy, operations, technology, risk, people, or industry-specific work. Because of that, there isn’t one “right” way to become a consultant.
Many people don’t start their careers in consulting at all. In my own experience, careers often evolve. You build skills in one area, learn how organizations work, and then apply that experience in a consulting role. What matters more than the title is developing transferable skills—problem-solving, communication, learning how to work with different stakeholders, and being comfortable with ambiguity.
If you’re feeling unsure, a helpful next step is to focus less on the label “consultant” and more on:
- What kinds of problems you enjoy working on
- How you like to think and communicate
- What environments help you do your best work
Talking to people who work in different types of consulting can also be incredibly helpful. Ask them what their day-to-day looks like, how they got there, and what surprised them about the role. Those conversations often provide more clarity than job descriptions ever will.
Consulting careers rarely follow a straight line. Staying curious, being open to learning, and building strong communication skills will take you much further than trying to follow a perfect path from the start.
Good Luck!
Consulting is really about helping organizations solve problems by bringing an outside perspective. That can look very different depending on the type of consulting—strategy, operations, technology, risk, people, or industry-specific work. Because of that, there isn’t one “right” way to become a consultant.
Many people don’t start their careers in consulting at all. In my own experience, careers often evolve. You build skills in one area, learn how organizations work, and then apply that experience in a consulting role. What matters more than the title is developing transferable skills—problem-solving, communication, learning how to work with different stakeholders, and being comfortable with ambiguity.
If you’re feeling unsure, a helpful next step is to focus less on the label “consultant” and more on:
- What kinds of problems you enjoy working on
- How you like to think and communicate
- What environments help you do your best work
Talking to people who work in different types of consulting can also be incredibly helpful. Ask them what their day-to-day looks like, how they got there, and what surprised them about the role. Those conversations often provide more clarity than job descriptions ever will.
Consulting careers rarely follow a straight line. Staying curious, being open to learning, and building strong communication skills will take you much further than trying to follow a perfect path from the start.
Good Luck!
Updated
Kerry’s Answer
Hi Marissa,
That is a great question! I want to start off by saying that there is no one path to being a consultant. As a tech consultant myself, I studied engineering in college with no business knowledge and barely knew what consulting even was. I have met bioengineering, industrial packaging, and political science majors with all different kinds of backgrounds and experiences who all ended up in consulting.
To break down the consulting industry, there are different types of consulting that can also cater to certain industries. For example, some types of consulting are:
- technology consulting
- management consulting
- strategy consulting
- tax consulting
I would start off by researching the different types of consulting and keep an open mind about which one interests you. Your college will more often than not have a consulting club where you can practice real-life simulated case studies; if your school doesn't have one that is totally okay. Here are some other tips:
1. Search for alumni at your school who are currently consultants and reach out to them on LinkedIn! They are great to have in your network and set up some time with them where you can ask them all your questions.
2. Before you go to career fairs, see which companies are attending and if there are consulting companies attending, do research on those companies and prepare some question you can ask them when meeting them at the career fair.
3. Gain leadership & communication skills in your extracurriculars - this is super important in consulting. Consulting is really dependent on your technical AND soft skills. They want people with good interpersonal skills who can lead and be adaptive in dynamic environments.
4. Find internship opportunities on consulting companies' websites and apply!
I hope this helps and good luck!
That is a great question! I want to start off by saying that there is no one path to being a consultant. As a tech consultant myself, I studied engineering in college with no business knowledge and barely knew what consulting even was. I have met bioengineering, industrial packaging, and political science majors with all different kinds of backgrounds and experiences who all ended up in consulting.
To break down the consulting industry, there are different types of consulting that can also cater to certain industries. For example, some types of consulting are:
- technology consulting
- management consulting
- strategy consulting
- tax consulting
I would start off by researching the different types of consulting and keep an open mind about which one interests you. Your college will more often than not have a consulting club where you can practice real-life simulated case studies; if your school doesn't have one that is totally okay. Here are some other tips:
1. Search for alumni at your school who are currently consultants and reach out to them on LinkedIn! They are great to have in your network and set up some time with them where you can ask them all your questions.
2. Before you go to career fairs, see which companies are attending and if there are consulting companies attending, do research on those companies and prepare some question you can ask them when meeting them at the career fair.
3. Gain leadership & communication skills in your extracurriculars - this is super important in consulting. Consulting is really dependent on your technical AND soft skills. They want people with good interpersonal skills who can lead and be adaptive in dynamic environments.
4. Find internship opportunities on consulting companies' websites and apply!
I hope this helps and good luck!
Updated
Cory’s Answer
Hi Marissa,
Before I became a Tech Consultant, I was torn between pursuing a degree in Computer Science or Real Estate Finance and ended up going for the latter. While wrapping up my studies, I stumbled across a consulting internship, and like you, I always wanted to understand what it meant to be a consultant. I decided to go for it and see what the internship was about, and through that process, I fell in love with my now job as a Tech Consultant.
I say this because there is not one path to becoming a consultant — in our industry, people come from all different educational and employment backgrounds. There really isn’t a common approach that people take.
I’ve met people in the industry that have owned their own firms, worked for someone for 10+ years, or started through an internship like myself.
Hope this helps!
Before I became a Tech Consultant, I was torn between pursuing a degree in Computer Science or Real Estate Finance and ended up going for the latter. While wrapping up my studies, I stumbled across a consulting internship, and like you, I always wanted to understand what it meant to be a consultant. I decided to go for it and see what the internship was about, and through that process, I fell in love with my now job as a Tech Consultant.
I say this because there is not one path to becoming a consultant — in our industry, people come from all different educational and employment backgrounds. There really isn’t a common approach that people take.
I’ve met people in the industry that have owned their own firms, worked for someone for 10+ years, or started through an internship like myself.
Hope this helps!
Updated
Brad’s Answer
Hello Marissa,
Indeed, possessing expert experience is a valuable asset when aiming to become a consultant. However, I firmly believe that your capacity to learn brilliantly outshines all else. Mastering the art of effective and efficient learning will empower you to remain abreast of industry advancements and position you at the vanguard of your chosen field. This skill is your secret weapon, enabling you to always stay ahead of the curve. Keep learning, keep growing, and you'll surely excel in your consulting career!
Indeed, possessing expert experience is a valuable asset when aiming to become a consultant. However, I firmly believe that your capacity to learn brilliantly outshines all else. Mastering the art of effective and efficient learning will empower you to remain abreast of industry advancements and position you at the vanguard of your chosen field. This skill is your secret weapon, enabling you to always stay ahead of the curve. Keep learning, keep growing, and you'll surely excel in your consulting career!
Updated
Billie-Jazz’s Answer
Hi Marissa,
A consultant is basically someone who develops an expertise in an area and helps other companies (clients) with addressing their challenges. Whether it is to strategize on a new way of doing things or implementing said strategy, a consultant is viewed as an advisor. Now, when you get started on your career, you don't need to know everything, just be willing to absorb information and learn from your peers and your team. The best way to get more insight is by participating in projects in school, case studies or even an internship for exposure!
You can also explore Access Your Potential’s site for potential career opportunities like internships and paid consulting externships for nonprofits. Visit http://accessyourpotential.pwc.com/.
A consultant is basically someone who develops an expertise in an area and helps other companies (clients) with addressing their challenges. Whether it is to strategize on a new way of doing things or implementing said strategy, a consultant is viewed as an advisor. Now, when you get started on your career, you don't need to know everything, just be willing to absorb information and learn from your peers and your team. The best way to get more insight is by participating in projects in school, case studies or even an internship for exposure!
You can also explore Access Your Potential’s site for potential career opportunities like internships and paid consulting externships for nonprofits. Visit http://accessyourpotential.pwc.com/.