Nowadays, anyone can start their own consulting business. If you have a computer, a phone, and a place to do your work, you have everything you need to start a consulting business. Many consulting companies offer small “virtual internships”, that is, online courses, which are usually free for all students during any year. Accenture, for example, offers consulting and development programs.
A day at BCG, from BCG, which is free for everyone, is advertised as “the perfect opportunity to take on practical tasks similar to those that our own BCG members would do and get a real idea of what it's like to work at BCG as a strategy consultant”. Sections include market research, data analysis, understanding consumer needs, and project management. Completing one of these courses will demonstrate your motivation and interest to employers, as well as your ability (most courses offer you a digital certificate upon successful completion). They're also a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with consulting as a profession and help you decide if it's right for you.
Not all opportunities are advertised, so consider making a speculative call or writing to an employer to offer your services. Make the most of LinkedIn: it's an excellent source of contacts and inspiration. Proactive job seeking graduates actively use LinkedIn to meet people who work in the professions they are interested in, get useful career advice and research careers, find jobs and internships, and submit more successful applications. As with education, you don't need certifications to become a consultant.
At the same time, certificate programs may cover physical and interpersonal skills that degree programs may not cover. They also make it easier for potential employers to see your dedication, professional knowledge, and commitment. When it comes to consulting jobs, you must be good at mental mathematics, since you can't grow in consulting until you can demonstrate your acumen in mathematics. Alex Gordon-Lennox, a senior consultant at Newton Europe, worked in the financial sector and spent time managing the operations of a shipyard in Kenya, before starting to work as a consultant.
In addition, a consulting club can help you prepare for the process of hiring a consultant position. If you can't start a consulting job right away, jobs in accounting, management, and business are also great options. However, many job seekers overlook consulting jobs despite all the benefits associated with consulting jobs. All successful people in the consulting industry agree that it is vital that everyone entering the industry for the first time be equipped with the relevant consulting skills and knowledge.
However, this statistic reveals that most students interested in consulting haven't, so you're not alone if you're a graduate who doesn't have a consulting internship on your resume. Your network of consultants should always be ready when you need it, whether to look for work or even to advance your consulting career. However, what really differentiates good consultants from great consultants is the ability to think critically before working, as well as to focus on tasks. The primary purpose of a consulting club is to help students connect with potential employers and learn more about the consulting industry.
As a new consultant entering the industry, it's important for you to know what the professional consulting and job search process is like. A consultant is an expert in a particular field who provides professional advice to individuals and companies in their area of specialization, usually on a temporary basis or on a contract basis, until a particular need is met. Claudia Bates, a senior consultant at Roland Berger, worked for a market research firm before starting to work as a consultant. From there, you should go into the business of marketing your consulting services and understand exactly how to sell to potential customers.
