Why Consulting Was Worth It For Me (Pros of Consulting)
Introduction
In this section, the speaker introduces herself and explains that she used to work as a consultant at one of the big four consulting firms. She also mentions that she will be discussing the pros of consulting.
Network Growth
In this section, the speaker discusses how working in consulting can help you grow your professional network.
- You will meet many new people while working on multiple projects with different managers, team members, and clients.
- The length of projects may vary but personally for her most projects lasted about a couple of months.
- Consulting helped her push out her boundaries and grow her network even though she had a hard time going to networking events or making small talk with different people.
Diverse Learning Opportunities
In this section, the speaker talks about how working in consulting provides diverse learning opportunities.
- Working on a variety of different projects allows you to experience many industries and get a taste of how other companies operate.
- Exposure to different industries helps broaden your perspective which can help make decisions about what field you want to be in after exiting consulting.
- Consulting is good if you don't really know what you want to do because it allows you to try out different projects, industries, roles in smaller quantities.
- It's important to put yourself on different projects if possible so that you can get the best experience out of consulting.
Exit Strategy
In this section, the speaker discusses how consultants leave for all sorts of different roles and companies.
- Acquiring knowledge and experience in different industries as well as different roles can become a door on its own when you decide to leave consulting.
- Colleagues have been scouted by clients that they have worked with, generally with a hefty pay bump and sometimes a promotion which is another way of exiting that works out really nicely since you already have that rapport with your next employer.
Moving from Consulting to Software Engineering
In this section, the speaker talks about her experience moving from consulting to software engineering and how it is not a common transition. She also discusses how tech companies are interested in hearing about her consulting experience during interviews.
Experience Transitioning from Consulting to Software Engineering
- The transition from consulting to software engineering is not as common as other transitions.
- Tech companies are still interested in hearing about consulting experience during interviews.
Work Ethic in Consulting
In this section, the speaker talks about work ethic in consulting and how it can be challenging due to long hours and lack of work-life balance. However, she also discusses how it helped her develop time management skills and push herself out of her comfort zone.
Work Ethic Challenges in Consulting
- Work-life balance is non-existent in consulting.
- Consultants are expected to work long hours, including weekends and holidays.
- Working under stress and pressure helped the speaker develop time management skills and handle stress better.
Benefits of Work Ethic Development in Consulting
- The speaker's work ethic development has helped her handle time pressure and stress better at her current company.
Miscellaneous Perks of Working in Consulting
In this section, the speaker talks about some miscellaneous perks of working in consulting such as traveling for business trips and working with batches of new grads who are at similar stages of their lives.
Traveling for Business Trips
- Consultants may travel frequently for business trips, but it is not guaranteed.
- Traveling to client sites may not always be glamorous and can sometimes involve staying in less than ideal accommodations.
Working with Batches of New Grads
- Consulting firms often hire batches of new grads who start around the same time, which can create a sense of community among colleagues.
Benefits of Consulting
In this section, the speaker talks about the benefits of working in consulting.
Work Culture
- Having a group of friends at work makes things more bearable and fun.
- Work hard party hard culture is prevalent in consulting firms.
- Company-sponsored events are lavish with open bars and fancy meals.
- Networking sessions often turn into drinking parties.
Career Opportunities
- Consulting provides opportunities to try out different roles such as project manager or strategy roles.
- Starting out in consulting helped the speaker avoid self-questioning about not trying something else after graduating.
Conclusion
The speaker concludes by saying that despite the grindy hours, they do not regret starting their career in consulting.
Final Thoughts
- The speaker is grateful for the opportunity to try out different roles and start their career in consulting.