Business consulting is a rapidly growing field with attractive salaries and plenty of job opportunities. Organizations and companies use business consultants to provide an external and objective point of view that helps detect problems and keep them competitive in a constantly changing market. To become a successful business consultant, you need to have the right educational background, experience, and skills. A degree in business, social sciences, or engineering is usually required for most business consulting jobs.
An MBA may also be beneficial. In addition to educational requirements, you need to have experience in the field and some less tangible skills and attributes that make a successful business consultant. You can start your career as a consulting employee or start your own consulting business if you already have experience in a particular field. Working in a large consulting firm for two years is the typical path for many people, but you can also work in a startup company or work internally in a large organization and be on the client's side.
Your consulting network should always be ready when you need it, whether it's to look for work or even to move up your consulting career. Management or strategy consultants are often “generalists” who help companies solve important problems, redefine their business models, or update their five-year plans. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects strong demand for business consultants in health and information technology. If you're looking to start a career in business consulting, make sure you have the right educational background, experience, and skills. You can start as a consulting employee or start your own consulting business if you already have experience in a particular field.
Your consulting network should always be ready when you need it, whether it's to look for work or even to move up your consulting career.
