Megan
What is the first few steps one would take to step out as a consultant in your field?
I plan on becoming a consultant after grad school. #law #consultant #management
6 answers
Sarah Korykora
Sarah’s Answer
Hi Megan,
Thanks for your question! To build off Austin's response, I would recommend making sure you spend some time becoming familiarizing yourself with the service offerings within your group (e.g. wherever you are aligned within your consulting firm) and make sure you are researching topics and news which pertain to it.
Not only will this self-education make you more knowledgeable at your client, but it will come in handy for the internal work you will most likely be working on. A lot of internal work has to do with creating Thought Leadership pieces (e.g. creating a perspective on a relevant topic) and publishing it either internally or externally. Certainly the sooner you start building up your expertise by reading news in your field and the latest developments, the easier it will be to differentiate yourself, especially early on!
To kick things off, think about subscribing to news outlets or professional organization relevant to your line of work, even before day 1.
Best of luck!
James Gerarden
James’s Answer
Hi Megan! You've asked a very good question! Firstly, I think you should do some self-evaluation to determine if you should partner up with someone or go for it alone. Some people work better alone and others do not. What is the track record of your successes? Were you working alone or with others? Another very important thing for you to do is write-up a business plan . There are template business plans for some professions that can be bought online. Otherwise there are many websites offering advice or guidance on how to write one. Or too, you can go to score.org and read about the free services this organization does to help people start thier own business. I personally look to Jesus (now better than ever) for Jesus to be my guide. Here is a Bible passage that emphasizes the importance of planning and though Jesus is speaking to more than being a good planner for this life, it still does show how planning is important:
"For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’
I know, you are not trying to build a tower but deciding to start consulting is a big decision and by now I hope you are starting to see how important a business plan is if you have not already.
James recommends the following next steps:
Austin L.
Austin’s Answer
Hi Megan,
Great question!! So I am a management consultant with PwC and I am learning what it takes to create an impact, demonstrate that you are willing to work hard, and show your fellow consultants that you are willing to go above and beyond what is required. As a consultant, you will be doing about 40+ hours of work a week for your client, but what really matters is the outside "firm contribution" work that you take on. Helping out with proposals, business development activities, helping out on internal firm activities, and demonstrating leadership is what really differentiates a normal consultant from a great consultant.
Yes this is a lot of work and I typically work around 50-65 hours a week, but as an associate you are expected to take on a heavy load so that you will be able to stand out and get promoted.
I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck!!
Best,
Austin
James Gerarden
James’s Answer
Hi Megan! I want to somewhat correct a "To Do" I suggested because I care. I wrote that you should not forget you are a spiritual being. I should have wrote, "Don't forget you are a spiritual being and a physical being." So many people nourish their bodies and don't nourish their souls. I'd hate for you to miss that. Certainly you have a good career aspiration. I just hope you look to the Holy Bible for answers to life's questions too. Certainly you could buy a Bible but there is access to them online for free. You could access Bible Gateway, YouVersion and the Gideon's have powerful app. I suggest you access the Gideon's app because they have some cool life direction giving resources on their app. Too a recent good version of the Bible is the English Standard Version (ESV) . So now I think I've spoken enough about not neglection to feed your soul and your career aspirations. I hope you have a great day and a great life!
N S
N’s Answer
In addition to the awesome suggestions you have already received, I would like to add that keeping a flexible approach to problem solving is really important. You should not be restricted to what you already know, but should be open to trying different solutions and acquiring new skills.
Additionally, being a good listener is crucial because you are working with clients directly and you want to capture every relevant piece of information.
Hope this helps!
Jerel L.
Jerel’s Answer
In addition to the previous responses, I just wanted to mention that there is no one path that leads to a career in consulting. Regarding my own experience, I received my undergraduate degree in biology with a minor in chemistry, and immediately began a career as a research scientist. I eventually transitioned from my role in the laboratory and obtained a position as a project manager within the public health sector. During my time as a project manager, I was able to acquire transferable skills that have served me well in my current position as a management consultant at a big 4 firm. As you continue your educational journey, I just wanted to point out a few core consulting skills that can lead you to a career in consulting. Listed below, are a few valuable consulting skills that I believe will serve you well.
• Creative thinking – Creative thinking will allow you to share ideas that go beyond the standard and normally accepted ways of approaching the business of the industry. It encourages brainstorming and listening to ideas from all kinds of people.
• Problem-solving – As a management consultant, you may be called on to help a client solve a business need and provide additional guidance or expertise. Your ability to listen carefully to the concerns the client presents to you and react quickly and thoughtfully to help propose solutions may be among the most valuable skills you can possess.
• Collaboration with all staff levels – As a management consultant, you may interact with clients and stakeholders of all staff levels. It will be useful to have a sense of confidence when working with both clients and stakeholders. Developing poise, politeness, friendliness, excellent listening skills and public speaking skills will serve you well in any circumstance.
• Time management – Time management will also serve you well as a management consultant. Good time management will allow you to focus your time and energy on your most important activities, so you can achieve more in less time. Managing your time will help you get clearer, more focused and more productive on your most important activities.