Management consulting comes with a lot of upsides unique to the job. Below is a break down of the most impactful.
Rich experiences. As a consultant, you will travel the world and, depending on the engagement, see places and experiences at a very young age that other people will never see or have in their lifetime. This includes exotic locations such as client sites on oil platforms, gold mines, and factories as well as experiences such as boardroom meetings, CEO discussions etc. The lifestyle that accompanies your work is relatively luxurious. Consultants usually reside in 4 to 5-star hotels, can expense fine dining, and, depending on the office, travel business class. Additionally, your office or team will organize some fancy events every now and then.
Impact and responsibility. You work with C-level executives of Fortune 500 companies from day one, usually on highly visible and high impact projects. The client wants you to answer critical questions about the fate of their multi-million or billion dollar company and generate a positive impact on their business. Even as a junior consultant, you will contribute significantly to final results, work closely with senior clients and get the chance to coach people twice your age.
A sense of accomplishment. No matter what people say, it is always in the back of your mind that you work for one of the most prestigious consulting firms, chosen from a very competitive pool of candidates and given a chance that only 1–3% of applicants get. Additionally, improving organizations and helping their staff can be a very rewarding experience. In this respect alone, consulting overall can be an amazing journey, especially when you have just graduated from university and consider alternatives career paths.
Work environment. The people you work with are usually brilliant as well as highly likable characters (as a direct result of the selection criteria of top-tier firms). You can learn a lot working alongside them, while at the same time enjoy a stimulating work environment. Working teams are usually within the same age range which contributes to a pleasant and fun experience in the team room. Overall, the firms try to create an exceptional work environment that fosters strong team bonds. Friendships formed in the team room will usually stick around.
Steep learning curve. As a result of the constant stream of new experiences and challenges as well as the engaging work environment, you will learn a lot within a relatively short time span. You will have the opportunity to work in multiple industries and business functions. What you do will always challenge you intellectually and personally. Apart from that, a strict training curriculum will guide you on your way. Trainings for juniors are excellent and comparable to C-level trainings in other organizations.
Remuneration. It is no secret that consulting firms pay well. You will earn good money right from the start, usually significantly more than same age peers. Add to that, salary increases are exponential as you climb up the ranks in your firm’s hierarchy. Additionally, all expenses are paid for while you are away from home, contributing significantly to your end-of-month bottom line.
Points and status. Since you spend most weeks traveling, you will earn a significant amount of frequent flyer miles and hotel points as well as a certain status with some travel companies. In turn, you can use them for your private vacations to get free flights, upgrades and free hotel nights as well food etc.
Anything I missed here? Let me know in the comments!
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