What is consulting, anyway?
It's a common question in career services offices - and among college seniors in general. Firms like Deloitte and Accenture recruit heavily at the nation's best colleges and universities; in fact, they're among the largest employers of recent graduates. You probably know some consultants yourselves. But what do they do once they're hired?
The image of the high-salaried consultant with a nebulous job description is a prevalent one, but don't be fooled - these people work long hours, endure stressful work conditions, and often live out of their suitcases. Many firms have two-year training programs in which newly minted consultants are given a lot of responsibility quickly, allowing them to sharpen their business acumen by advising companies on how to better run their businesses (this includes everything from maximizing profits to spending human capital more efficiently).
If you enjoy solving challenging problems and adapting to constantly changing environments, consulting is a career to consider.
If you don't have any business coursework under your belt, don't fret; consulting is a popular postgraduation path for students from all majors. Those educated in the Carroll School of Management regularly secure consulting positions, of course, but so do history and biochemistry majors, among others.
To wow a firm's recruiter, you don't have to have a background in finance, but you do have to display a winning personality and keen problem-solving skills. You also need to show hiring committees how well you perform under stress - a talent you'll need to get through a grueling interview process.
After a run-of-the-mill behavioral interview, consulting job candidates often face what's called a case interview. A business dilemma will be posed, and it's your job to solve it. This type of interview is used to measure your analytical and communication skills as well as your comfort with ambiguity. Companies want to know how well you think on your feet, so talking out loud is advisable. The interviewer, after all, is trying to evaluate your thought process as you attempt to "crack" the case.
If you do decide to apply for a consulting position, remember that there are many firms to choose from. Different companies specialize in management consulting, strategy consulting, energy consulting, health care consulting, human resources consulting - and the list goes on.
Students from an array of academic backgrounds can find a satisfying postgraduate job (with great benefits to boot) in the consulting world - if they're willing to give two years of their lives to work before play.
Shawna Gallagher Vega is a contributing columnist for The Heights. She welcomes comments at features@bcheights.com.
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