Strategy& - How to switch industry (vertical) alignment?

Hi all.

I will be starting at Strategy& this August out of undergrad. As some of you may know, S& aligns consultants to an industry vertical, supposedly determining which types of projects new consultants are placed onto. I'm currently aligned to Healthcare (HIA) but am much more interested in Consumer/Industrial Products (CIPS). How can I switch?

I'd appreciate any and all advice. Thank you!

4 Comments
 

Talk to your Relationship Partner and then talk to one of the CIPS leaders.

 

Does S& align you immediately? Most firm keep you as a generalist until at least the post-MBA level, often the Engagement Manager level, when you're forced to specialize.

Attend every office networking event you can (happy hours, lunches, etc.) and network with consultants in other areas. Sure, networking with partners helps, but so does networking with Managers / Senior Managers since these people are often tasked with staffing; sure, resource managers technically staff but if an EM requests you and you're available, you'll usually be staffed.

 
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