Economic Consulting at engineering firm > Infra PE/Project Finance?

Based on the most helpful WSO content, transitioning from an economic planning consultant role at a firm like Arup, which specializes in infrastructure, to Infrastructure Private Equity (Infra PE) or Project Finance could be a viable career path. The experience you'll gain in economic appraisals, development strategies, policy appraisals, and infrastructure plans is highly relevant to Infra PE and Project Finance roles. Here's how your experience could align with potential career paths:

1. Economic and Financial Modeling Skills: Your role in economic evaluation studies and financial modeling is directly applicable to Infra PE and Project Finance. These skills are crucial for assessing the viability and potential returns of infrastructure projects.

2. Cross-disciplinary Collaboration: Working alongside urban planners, transport planners, and sustainability experts will give you a holistic understanding of infrastructure projects. This interdisciplinary experience is valuable in Infra PE/Project Finance, where understanding the broader implications of projects is key.

3. Client Relationship Management: Your involvement in managing relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including public sector agencies and infrastructure operators, will be beneficial in Infra PE/Project Finance roles, where stakeholder engagement is critical.

4. Strategic and Policy Advisory: Advising on strategic, policy, and economic issues for city-focused clients equips you with the ability to evaluate and contribute to investment decisions in the infrastructure sector from a strategic standpoint.

5. Professional Development and Training: The emphasis on career path support and training opportunities at Arup can enhance your qualifications for Infra PE/Project Finance roles. Continuous learning and development are highly valued in these fields.

6. Broadening Skills and Responsibilities: The opportunity to take on more responsibilities as you progress at Arup can prepare you for the demanding and multifaceted nature of Infra PE/Project Finance roles.

While your experience at an engineering/design firm in the infrastructure space is not a traditional path to Infra PE/Project Finance, the skills and knowledge you'll acquire are highly relevant and can make you a strong candidate for such roles. It's also beneficial to network within the industry and possibly pursue additional qualifications or certifications relevant to Infra PE/Project Finance to further enhance your transition prospects.

Sources: Economic Consulting Q&A - Past experience at major firms, Economic Consulting Q&A - Past experience at major firms, Q&A: I grew up in Consulting and reinvented my brand 3 times, Q&A: Former MBB Consultant

Based on the most helpful WSO content, transitioning from an economic planning consultant role at a large engineering/design firm like Arup, especially within the infrastructure space, to Infrastructure Private Equity (Infra PE) or Project Finance could be a viable career path. Here's how your experience at Arup could position you for such a move:

1. Skillset Development: Your role at Arup will likely involve a lot of quantitative and qualitative analysis, including economic and financial modeling, which are crucial skills in Infra PE and Project Finance. The ability to appraise large-scale investments and develop business cases are directly applicable to evaluating potential investments in the PE space.

2. Sector Knowledge: Working on infrastructure projects gives you a deep dive into the sector, understanding the risks, opportunities, and financial structures that are unique to this area. This sector-specific knowledge is highly valued in Infra PE and Project Finance, where investments are made in similar large-scale infrastructure projects.

3. Network and Exposure: Through collaborations with urban planners, landscape architects, and other professionals, as well as managing client relationships across the public and private sectors, you'll build a network that can be invaluable. These connections can open doors and provide insights that are beneficial in Infra PE or Project Finance roles.

4. Project Management and Advisory Experience: Advising clients on strategic, policy, economic, and financial issues equips you with a consultancy mindset. This experience is beneficial in Infra PE and Project Finance, where you'll often need to assess and advise on the viability and strategic direction of investments.

5. Broadening Your Skills: The promise of great training opportunities and the chance to take on more responsibility as you progress at Arup suggests that you'll be in a position to continuously expand your skill set. This ongoing professional development is crucial for making the leap to more specialized roles in Infra PE or Project Finance.

To make the transition smoother, consider focusing on projects at Arup that have a clear overlap with Infra PE or Project Finance, such as those involving investment appraisals or financial feasibility studies. Additionally, networking with professionals in your target field and possibly pursuing further education or certifications relevant to Infra PE or Project Finance could enhance your profile.

Remember, while the skills and experiences you gain at Arup can be highly relevant, transitioning to Infra PE or Project Finance will also depend on market conditions, your networking efforts, and how you position your experience and skills to potential employers in these fields.

Sources: Economic Consulting Q&A - Past experience at major firms, Economic Consulting Q&A - Past experience at major firms, Q&A: I grew up in Consulting and reinvented my brand 3 times, Q&A: Former MBB Consultant