Human Capital Consulting - Insights?

Anything?

Is this Deloitte? If so, not a huge difference between S&O BA and this in terms of work (for your first year at least), it's the typical analyst stuff. Lot of excel and powerpoint, grunt work. The difference comes (I think) with the types of projects and exit opportunities. HCAs are typically on long-term integration project helping to support a manager/sr manager in human capital. They're one part in a much larger project. They're very rarely the typical HR issues/roles you might be thinking of, they more deal with organizational strategy/operations for workforce issues. Ranging from employment numbers to actuarial stuff. I haven't seen many 100% human capital projects, but that could just be lack of exposure on my part.

Exit opps, BA > HCA. But neither are bad experiences and I think HCAs tend to travel less and have a little bit better work life balance.

You mean HR?

I'd say it's definitely possible, but you might want to consider business school if you are not getting a lot of call backs.

Get a CFA if you don't want to spend money on MBA.

CFA could definitely help for ER role but not as effective for IB. Need to spin your client facing story right and the analytically nature of the job to have a shot.

Thanks all. I don't see myself doing CFA right now, but MBA is definitely a possibility.

Consulting is generally a "reputable" industry from the perspective of the admissions committees. I don't think your focus area is especially relevant. They might judge that a Bain applicant is higher-end than a Mercer applicant, but they won't say Mercer HCC Mercer Automotive (if there even is such a thing). So I wouldn't sweat it - and by "sweat" I mean "think about". It doesn't matter. Just focus on getting some decent stories of accomplishment under your belt.

Cred: I just went through the process and applied to five top-ten business schools.

If you are a senior, you are very late in the process. Mercer and Deloitte both had their superdays over two weeks ago. however, i know that some people declined offers so maybe if you make a call you can network in right now.

If you get your foot in the door, the interviews are not that difficult and it's a pretty good gig. Good experience and good comp. I've heard great things about Deloitte culture. (Note: I did not go through this process but had an old roommate that did.)

I second the previous user about the timing, but the human capital positions are not as competitive (or as lucrative) as the Strategy roles that everyone slavishly devotes themselves to pursuing (rightly so).

If you haven't missed the deadlines or pipeline, I'd apply. If you have anything in your background (work experience or coursework) that gives a story for why you're interested in the position, I'd go for it. Deloitte's website has more details and online practice cases specifically for the human capital track, so you can start your prep there.

But what do you see as the exit opportunities if you do decide that HC is no longer your interest?

I'm in the same boat as OP, I think HC can be really interesting and great to work with but I fear the dead end...don't want to be stuck in HC forever if I don't thoroughly enjoy it come 5 years from now

Well stated Tyler. Not to mention you're also well set up to get a top MBA, which can help you transition from HC to strategy or banking.

If you're at Mercer you can leverage internal contacts to get to Oliver Wyman.

HC work overall is data-heavy and allows you to get know a lot of different companies and all sorts of business models, and you'll build internal HR relationships that can help you transition into industry either in HR or outside of HR.

Thanks for the responses Tyler and Governor, I guess I never really looked at it like that. You raise some good points which have definitely reassured me of a possible career in HC consulting.

The career progression that I've seen tends towards continued work in HR consulting, B-school, or HR corporate track in a Corporation. Corp Dev may be possible, but it seems unlikely.