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Should I do consulting?
I'm an Industrial Engineering major and thinking about going into consulting, but im worried I'd be missing out on something if I don't take a more technical role. Am I limiting my career options by moving directly into consulting and not starting in a technical role first?
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Terry’s Answer
I recommend getting at least a few years worth of practical hands-on experience in your field before going into consulting because it will give you more credibility down the road if you decide to pursue a career in consulting. Every new engineering graduate, regardless of the specialty, has a lot to learn about his or her craft and this can best be accomplished by gaining practical experience. Having worked briefly in a consulting role after having spent seven years working as a chemical engineer in the petroleum industry, I think you should be aware that job security in the consulting world is only as good as your (or your company's) ability to retain its existing clients or find new clients. It can be a cutthroat world out there in the consulting business.
Good luck no matter what you decide to to.
Good luck no matter what you decide to to.
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Camila’s Answer
Hi Michael,
There are certainly pros and cons to both routes. I can only speak as to what it's like going straight into consulting, as that is what I did.
First off, there are many different types of consulting, some of which may require a more technical background which might suit your interests. And coming straight from school, people don't expect you to know everything right off the bat. There's a lot of learning as you go, especially since you may be working on several different projects at once. Depending on how you like to learn, this may be a great way to improve skills, for others it can be confusing or overwhelming. There's also a lot of networking with different folks, so you will get exposed to people doing different jobs, which may help you as you progress your career.
In the end, both are viable choices, it just depends on what you want to get out of your career and what you intend to do. Good Luck!
There are certainly pros and cons to both routes. I can only speak as to what it's like going straight into consulting, as that is what I did.
First off, there are many different types of consulting, some of which may require a more technical background which might suit your interests. And coming straight from school, people don't expect you to know everything right off the bat. There's a lot of learning as you go, especially since you may be working on several different projects at once. Depending on how you like to learn, this may be a great way to improve skills, for others it can be confusing or overwhelming. There's also a lot of networking with different folks, so you will get exposed to people doing different jobs, which may help you as you progress your career.
In the end, both are viable choices, it just depends on what you want to get out of your career and what you intend to do. Good Luck!
Updated
Marisa’s Answer
Gaining hands-on experience in your chosen field before starting to consult is unbeatable. This is crucial for establishing your credibility. When you've worked in your field and mastered its nuances, you'll not only comprehend it better, but consulting and strategic thinking will also become second nature to you. This is because you'll have an in-depth understanding of the subject matter.
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Angella’s Answer
Deciding whether to pursue a career in consulting or a more technical role is a personal choice that depends on your interests, skills, and long-term career goals. Both paths have their own advantages and considerations, so it's important to weigh them against your own aspirations.
Here are a few points to consider:
Exposure to diverse industries and projects: Consulting offers the opportunity to work with various clients in different industries, which can provide a broad range of experiences and exposure to different challenges. This exposure can be valuable for developing a wide skill set and gaining a deeper understanding of business processes.
Problem-solving and analytical skills: Consulting typically involves solving complex problems and providing strategic recommendations. It requires strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, which are valuable skills in many fields. If you enjoy tackling challenging problems and have a knack for strategic thinking, consulting can be a good fit.
Technical expertise: If you have a strong interest in a specific technical field or want to become an expert in a particular domain, starting in a technical role might be more suitable. Technical roles often provide an opportunity to develop deep expertise and specialize in a specific area, which can be valuable in industries that require specialized knowledge.
Career progression and long-term goals: Consider your long-term career goals and the trajectory you envision. Consulting can provide a faster career progression and exposure to senior-level positions in various organizations. However, if you have a specific technical career path in mind, starting in a technical role might offer a more direct route to specialized positions within a specific industry.
Transferable skills: Both consulting and technical roles offer valuable skills that can be transferred to different career paths. Consulting develops skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, project management, and business acumen. These skills can be applicable in various industries and can open doors to diverse opportunities in the future.
Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer to whether you should pursue consulting or a technical role. It's important to evaluate your own interests, strengths, and long-term goals. You may also consider exploring internships, networking opportunities, or informational interviews to gain firsthand insights into both consulting and technical roles to help inform your decision.
Here are a few points to consider:
Exposure to diverse industries and projects: Consulting offers the opportunity to work with various clients in different industries, which can provide a broad range of experiences and exposure to different challenges. This exposure can be valuable for developing a wide skill set and gaining a deeper understanding of business processes.
Problem-solving and analytical skills: Consulting typically involves solving complex problems and providing strategic recommendations. It requires strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, which are valuable skills in many fields. If you enjoy tackling challenging problems and have a knack for strategic thinking, consulting can be a good fit.
Technical expertise: If you have a strong interest in a specific technical field or want to become an expert in a particular domain, starting in a technical role might be more suitable. Technical roles often provide an opportunity to develop deep expertise and specialize in a specific area, which can be valuable in industries that require specialized knowledge.
Career progression and long-term goals: Consider your long-term career goals and the trajectory you envision. Consulting can provide a faster career progression and exposure to senior-level positions in various organizations. However, if you have a specific technical career path in mind, starting in a technical role might offer a more direct route to specialized positions within a specific industry.
Transferable skills: Both consulting and technical roles offer valuable skills that can be transferred to different career paths. Consulting develops skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, project management, and business acumen. These skills can be applicable in various industries and can open doors to diverse opportunities in the future.
Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer to whether you should pursue consulting or a technical role. It's important to evaluate your own interests, strengths, and long-term goals. You may also consider exploring internships, networking opportunities, or informational interviews to gain firsthand insights into both consulting and technical roles to help inform your decision.
Updated
Perth’s Answer
There are pros and cons in consulting job. From my experience, it is rewarding to do consulting job in the early career.
Pros of consulting job from my experience:
- You always learning new technologies as you have to move around different projects.
- You get to experience life in government agency and corporates with the freedom to move to other projects. That will help you choose your future career
- You get to work with many of smart people, and learn from them.
Cons of consulting job:
- If you are keen to dig deep into one topic, consulting job might not give that to you. Consulting job provides broader experience.
- As you have to move around to different projects a lot, you will need to pick up new context and technologies quickly. I have been in a project where I needed to learn new technology in few days.
- In some countries / companies, consulting job might require long work hours. I would suggest you having a chat with person working in the company to see what the work culture look like.
All the best for your career journey!
Pros of consulting job from my experience:
- You always learning new technologies as you have to move around different projects.
- You get to experience life in government agency and corporates with the freedom to move to other projects. That will help you choose your future career
- You get to work with many of smart people, and learn from them.
Cons of consulting job:
- If you are keen to dig deep into one topic, consulting job might not give that to you. Consulting job provides broader experience.
- As you have to move around to different projects a lot, you will need to pick up new context and technologies quickly. I have been in a project where I needed to learn new technology in few days.
- In some countries / companies, consulting job might require long work hours. I would suggest you having a chat with person working in the company to see what the work culture look like.
All the best for your career journey!
Updated
Anita’s Answer
Having had industry experience before entering consulting, I would personally say that it is very helpful context to bring to a project. For example, consulting can have a strategy-focused approach while bringing in outside research and experts. Your prior knowledge within a specific industry can prove invaluable. It also adds another layer of critical thinking and diversified experience that can help you contribute to your project. The additional benefit is that once you gain the technical skillset you are seeking, you can leverage these tools within consulting to drive growth in the project even further. Additionally, consider whether you enjoy more technical work, or if you enjoy strategic client-facing work. There are many companies and roles where you can blend both skillsets, but these are some considerations to keep in mind. Hope this helps!