Consulting Introduction

I just read a bunch of articles about consulting, and it sounds interesting to me as a potential career. A few questions I hope some of you can help me answer:

  1. Does the firm pay for your travel fees?
  2. Does the firm train you after you graduate from college?
  3. Is there any preference towards majors (more specifically, can an industrial engineering major with many courses in economics still go for consulting?)
  4. Any particular skills consulting firms want?
  5. Are there any liability issues from providing non-purposeful, bad advice?
  6. Does the pay difference between consulting and IB actually matter? Considering NYC housing prices, the difference in pay doesn't seem to be as impressive.
 
  1. In terms of major, I believe consulting area is where broad major is accepted. In terms of skill, the ability of understand the issues quickly and accurately and come up with the possible solution is important. And the ability of communication with the clients would be another important one. I think more you practice with the cases as a preparation, it would help a lot. :) Hope the answer helps you.
 
Best Response

I'm not in consulting, nor have I been in the industry. I do have a general understanding though, so enough to answer some questions very briefly. Anyone is free to contribute to my comments, especially if I say something wrong.

  1. Yes
  2. Yes
  3. There's no specific major that will benefit or hurt your chances. What they're looking for is someone who is a problem solver, is able to take in a lot of new information, and process it to key, actionable, relevant points.
  4. Problem solving, quick learner, somewhat independent (since you'll be traveling often), personable.
  5. No. If anything, companies need to have a business/consulting opinion so they won't be sued. They can say "we've had external opinions" and so on and so forth (see Business Judgement Rule). The number one gripe of consultants is that they'll spend 4 months on a projects, become experts, give their recommendations, and the company won't follow it.
  6. Bankers will be paid more, around 20-40% all in. The difference is that you'll probably be able to expense more (while traveling, besides paying for your living situation, you'll likely get a stipend for food and traveling), and might be better off (but I haven't crunched the numbers).

If you're really worried about a consulting firms expense policy: https://thetravelingconsultant.wordpress.com/2010/02/03/consultant-poli…

--Death, lighter than a feather; duty, heavier than a mountain
 

Really depends on a few factors. Does your company mandate an MBA for progression? If not, I'd say get in as early as possible. The one threat is getting burnt out (because entry-level consulting can blow). At my firm there are plenty of people who are just seniors in their 30s (some have masters degrees, some don't) where if they would've just started their careers in consulting, rather than industry, they'd be much farther along in terms of career progression

 

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