By Lindsay Ramos
Staff Writer
Consulting is a tremendously diverse field that is too often overlooked by students with highly technical and science-based backgrounds. In today’s job market, consulting is truly one of the most prestigious and rewarding careers you can land right out of college. Unfortunately, there is the common misconception that the industry is inaccessible to those without business-related backgrounds.
As a senior majoring in Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics actively pursuing a career in consulting, I am here to argue that engineers, mathematics majors, and life science majors, of all sorts are just as qualified to work in the industry as their business economics and accounting counterparts.
Just take a look at key players in today’s consulting world: current chairman and CEO of Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., Dr. Ralph Shrader, received his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania; Indra Nooyi, a former BCG director of international corporate strategy who has been consistently ranked among the most powerful women by Forbes magazine, earned her degree in chemistry from Madras Christian College.
The key to performing well in the industry – regardless of your speciality – is to have the right approach. Here are a few tips for all you fellow south campus majors that will help you in the recruitment process at some of the top consulting firms.
First piece of advice: Recognize your skills. Understand that you have a lot of potential value to add to consulting companies. Technical degrees are looked highly upon these days. In fact, problem-solving and analytical skills are exactly the kind of things that recruiters are looking for in future consultants. The business skills – or what are often referred to as “soft skills” – can only be truly learned once you have entered the working world.
Secondly, be an expert and enthusiast in your field. Consulting firms cover a variety of industries such as information technology, healthcare, insurance, finance, and the life sciences. As an entry-level consultant or analyst, you will likely be labeled as a “generalist” at first. However, employees will see your potential to rise within the company and become more specialized in the future. In your interviews, make sure to emphasize how you’ve committed yourself within the spectrum of your field. For instance, if one of your greatest achievements involved programming a complex computer game or identifying a polymophism within gene XYZ, don’t hesitate to show interviewers your passion for it even if it is not business related. Your enthusiasm and commitment – on top of your obvious capabilities – can be translated easily into the work environment.
Next, take time to step outside your academic studes. Someone once said, “Don’t let school work get in the way of your education.” In other words, don’t let midterms and finals overtake your life. Broaden your experience by interacting with different types of people and taking part in extracurricular activities.
Also, stay informed about the market and keep up-to-date with issues in all the various industries. Prior to the interview process, understand the basics of consulting, have a broad understanding of the different industries and research the specific companies that interest you. This advice goes for anyone interested in consulting. It is key to become familiar enough with the company and its services so that you are able to carry on a smooth conversation with recruiters. A technically skilled candidate supplemented with a broad background, interpersonal skills and some insight into the industry is a sure investment in the eyes of consulting firms.
Lastly, embrace yourself. Be proud of your background and experiences that have shaped who you have become. Confidence is key in any type of success. This is a common pitfall for technically savvy people, who are often incredibly talented but lack the self-assurance to show it. When going through recruiting, market yourself as a unique product or service. Differentiate yourself by establishing a niche with your technical speciality, researching your market and selling your skill sets. In the end, the major doesn’t really matter. It’s your ability to solve problems, interact with others, show passion and demonstrate commitment that will allow you to succeed in the consulting world.
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