The basics
What's it like to be a consultant?
Overview
While consulting is a broad career with consultants needed in virtually every industry, the general description is to advise an organization or individual in a certain field based on their analysis and expertise. In order to implement some of the changes consultants recommend to their companies, they may also train employees on specific skills or procedures. These professionals are able to dedicate more time and effort to understanding and researching a certain subject and industry compared to other employees. This makes them crucial in improving organizations. Consultants can be self-employed individuals who provide services to different organizations, work in a consulting firm, or work specifically for one company. The main job categories for a consultant are business (finance, advertising, HR), education (higher education, early childhood), healthcare (new procedures, improving the efficiencies of medical organizations), and information technology (analyzing security threats, code, or systems). A perk to consulting is that it can be a side hobby to people working in other careers.
Requirements
Since consultants can work in any industry, the degrees necessary for each organization may differ. However, consultants generally hold a bachelor's degree or even a masters in their area of expertise. Companies may prefer a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a minor specific to the company’s field of interest to validate the consultant’s knowledge on the entire business. After obtaining a degree, students should start searching for internships or job opportunities to gain more experience. At the same time, a consultant’s education can be continued by working towards obtaining a certificate such as a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) which requires 3 years as a full-time consultant, a degree from a four year college, and the completion of written and oral exams. With or without these credentials, each consultant's life is slightly different and will require distinct courses and qualifications to be successful.
What Should High School Students Do?
- Start creating a LinkedIn profile and make connections
- Hone your communication and peoples skills by attending classes such as drama or speech and debate
- Keep up in school work and challenge yourself in classes such as statistics, calculus, or biology
- Explore different industries to see which suits you
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