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Applying to work in Consulting from a non-traditional background

Hi TSR Community!

I am looking to get into managment consulting (finance/digital transformation/risk) in either a Big 4 or Tier 1 firm (or even a more boutique firm to start off with), while completing a BSc in Media and Communications next year. I'm already working on tailoring my existing work experiences/extra-curriculars to fit the identities these companies look for, and listing grad schemes/internships I can apply for next year.

What other things can I do this summer to better prepare myself for when it comes to applying to these companies? Would you reccomend I take any courses (I was thinking like one of those short MBA courses, or something that gives me some business accumen)? How do I begin networking with professionals in the industry who can provide me with the right opportunities to get my foot in the door? How can I pick which sector of consulting I want to go into?

Coming from a non-traditional background, I have a lot of questions. Would love if someone could answer them!

Reply 1

Hey! I'm hoping to break into consulting from a life sciences background so I'm focussing on firms that offer life sciences consulting. Maybe there are firms that have a media/communications division that you can look into?
Hi TSR Community!
I am looking to get into managment consulting (finance/digital transformation/risk) in either a Big 4 or Tier 1 firm (or even a more boutique firm to start off with), while completing a BSc in Media and Communications next year. I'm already working on tailoring my existing work experiences/extra-curriculars to fit the identities these companies look for, and listing grad schemes/internships I can apply for next year.
What other things can I do this summer to better prepare myself for when it comes to applying to these companies? Would you reccomend I take any courses (I was thinking like one of those short MBA courses, or something that gives me some business accumen)? How do I begin networking with professionals in the industry who can provide me with the right opportunities to get my foot in the door? How can I pick which sector of consulting I want to go into?
Coming from a non-traditional background, I have a lot of questions. Would love if someone could answer them!

Hello there, Coventry University Student Ambassador here!👋

To better prepare yourself for a career in management consulting, particularly in finance, digital transformation, or risk, while completing your BSc in Media and Communications, you can consider options such as:

Taking short business courses - consider taking short courses or certifications that provide business acumen. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning offer courses in finance, business strategy, digital transformation, and risk management.

For example:

Introduction to Financial Accounting

Digital Transformation Strategies

Risk Management Fundamentals

Data Analysis for Business

Mini-MBA Programs: Look into mini-MBA programs that provide a condensed overview of business management principles.

Specific certifications: Certifications such as Six Sigma, PMP (Project Management Professional), or Agile can be valuable, especially for consulting roles.

Develop technical skills - Excel and Data Analysis: Proficiency in Excel and basic data analysis tools is crucial. Courses on advanced Excel, SQL, and even Python for data analysis can be beneficial.

Presentation tools - learn advanced features of PowerPoint to create compelling presentations.

You can back all these skills up by conduction your own projects and emphasizing them within your CV.

Gain practical experience:

Internships and Part-Time Jobs: Seek internships or part-time jobs in consulting firms, even if they are boutique firms. Real-world experience is invaluable.

Freelance Projects: Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr can provide opportunities to work on small consulting projects.

Hope this helps in offering an insight into what you might want to do to enhance your experience in the field!
Bianca
(edited 1 year ago)

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