• Home
  • Choose a career
    • No idea what to do?
    • Career path guides
    • Top graduate employers
    • Further study
  • Apply for internships
    • Find an internship
    • Top graduate employers
    • Career Calendar
    • Internship Experience UK
  • Apply for jobs
    • Find a job
    • Top graduate employers
    • Career Calendar
    • Immediate start jobs
  • Career advice
    • No idea what to do?
    • CV advice
    • Aptitude & numerical tests
    • Interviews
    • Assessment centres
    • Commercial awareness
    • Core career skills
    • Entering the world of work
    • Graduate Careers Guide 2020/21
  • Academy learning
    • Free courses
    • Free psychometric tests
  • Events
    • Bright Network events
    • Virtual University Series
    • Society of the year awards
    • Employer events
    • Previous event highlights
  • Success stories
    • Member success stories
  • About us
  • For employers
Home
  • Login
  • |
  • Signup
  • About us
  • For employers
  • Choose a career
    No idea what to do? Career path guides Top graduate employers Further study
  • Apply for internships
    Find an internship Top graduate employers Career Calendar Internship Experience UK
  • Apply for jobs
    Find a job Top graduate employers Career Calendar Immediate start jobs
  • Career advice
    No idea what to do? CV advice Aptitude & numerical tests Interviews Assessment centres Commercial awareness Core career skills Entering the world of work Graduate Careers Guide 2020/21
  • Academy learning
    Free courses Free psychometric tests
  • Events
    Bright Network events Virtual University Series Society of the year awards Employer events Previous event highlights
  • Success stories
    Member success stories

What it's really like to be a Management Consultant

One of the first questions in any interview process for a job in management consultancy goes along the lines of: 'What do you think a management consultant (or analyst) does on a day to day basis?'

In my opinion this is one of the most difficult questions to answer, as every client is different, every project is run differently and your role depends on what needs to be done in order to make the project a success. You could be working on a specific technology project, a strategy piece or working with your clients business.

Did you know that the Grammy award-winning musician John Legend started out as management consultant with Boston Consulting Group? Image courtesy Julio Enriquez on flickr.

Something that I can guarantee you, though, is that every day is different. After 2 years as a graduate and another year of consulting internships previously, I still enjoy walking into the big shiny office and getting the tingle down my spine.

Whilst you are expected to work hard as a consultant, and the hours can be unpredictable (especially when a project deadline is looming), I still cannot think of anything I'd rather be doing. A role on a project usually lasts 6 months or so but this can be extended or can be much shorter, depending on the client and the stage of the project. I have had a fantastic array of clients in lots of different industries and I am always being kept on my toes.

I learnt very early on that to be successful in anything you do means not standing still. As a consultant, I am constantly learning and it is vital to keep improving yourself in terms of your knowledge base and skill set. My colleagues are inspiring and the culture at Accenture (where I work) is to bring your colleagues' skill sets up and help others, as they will contribute to the projects (and ultimately your) success!

As one of 16,000 employees globally, you never feel small or insignificant, as from day one you have real responsibility. You are part of a big global network but you are also a key player on your team.

Yes, it is hard work and demanding, and sometimes the hours can be long and tiring, but walking through the doors on my first day is still one of the best things I have ever done and I am enjoying what I do more than ever.

...

Rebecca Griffiths is a Consultant at Accenture.

→
Next:
How to prepare for the Consulting case study

Related content

  • Your guide to types of Consulting
  • An overview: What do Consultants do?
    Members only
  • What is Management Consulting?
  • What is Research Consulting?
  • What is Strategy Consulting?
  • 11 Key skills Consulting firms look for
  • Why a graduate career in Consulting is for you
  • Leading graduate employers in the Consulting sector
  • A Bright Guide to the big three Consulting firms
  • What can you expect to earn in Consulting?
Careers - work for us Get in touch Terms and Conditions Community guidelines Privacy Policy
Bright Network © 2021