Is a Career in Consulting Right for Me, and What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?
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For decades, consulting has been among the most sought-after career paths for business school graduates, offering strong development opportunities and high earning potential.
This remains true today: according to the latest GMAC Prospective Students Survey, 50% of aspiring business school students hope to land a consulting role after graduation. This popularity is fueled by the chance to work on varied cross-industry projects and gain career advancement and learning opportunities.
With starting salaries for MBA graduates at the Big Three firms—McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company, and Boston Consulting Group (BCG)—typically exceeding $190,000, there’s another clear reason why so many students aim for a career in consulting.
While the work can be diverse and rewarding, consulting is also a demanding career path that often involves long hours, challenging client expectations, and fast-paced project delivery.
So, how do you know if you’re a strong fit for a consulting career? And what technical and soft skills are essential to breaking into the industry?
What are the Pros and Cons of Working in Consulting?
Consulting is among the most lucrative career paths you can enter, particularly after business school. Graduates from MBA or business master’s programs who enter the industry can expect to earn base salaries above $150K. Management consultants are also frequently rewarded with generous compensation packages.
The nature of the job is fast-paced and project-based, which can be especially beneficial for ambitious professionals. Working in consulting offers exposure to multiple industries and a wide range of clients as you move from project to project. This constant variety also allows consultants to build expertise quickly.
Consulting firms typically invest heavily in training and development. As a result, management consultants often experience rapid career progression—making it an ideal path for highly driven individuals looking to build a long and fruitful career. This also means consultants benefit from many opportunities to pivot into different industries where their skill sets are recognized and highly valued.
While working on projects, travel to client locations is sometimes required, giving consultants the opportunity to experience diverse working cultures and see different parts of the world.
However, it’s important to note that these benefits often come with high demands. Work-life balance can be a challenge, especially as it’s common to work regular 60+ hour weeks and often exceed that.
Given the industry’s popularity, competition is fierce. As a result, the working environment—particularly at top management consulting firms—can feel intense and, at times, potentially cut-throat.
“You deal with different strong personalities, because I think it takes one to break into this industry,” says Kseniia Kastusik, an MBA graduate from SDA Bocconi and senior associate at Strategy&—a consulting arm of PwC—in Dubai.
Along with high demand for consulting skills, this intensity partly contributes to the common practice of consultants exiting the industry after an initial few years to find opportunities elsewhere.
What are the Core Technical Skills for Consultants Today?
A successful consultant needs to demonstrate a strong set of technical skills, including proficiency in data analysis, a solid understanding of technology, and familiarity with digital platforms.
Consultants often work with large datasets, so being highly analytical and comfortable with data is essential. The ability to analyze, interpret, and draw actionable insights from data is a fundamental part of the role. Advanced knowledge of relevant software—particularly Microsoft Excel—is also expected.
A strong grasp of technology allows consultants to better understand client challenges and recommend effective solutions. Consultants are regularly expected to advise clients on how to leverage emerging technologies to boost revenue, improve efficiency, and stay competitive in a fast-changing business environment.
“Digitization is changing the consulting industry, and therefore technology and digital skills are more necessary at McKinsey and with our clients,” explains Sydney Streets, senior manager of recruiting at the firm.
“Not everyone is a tech-focused consultant, of course, but we see more candidates who have coding, programming, and other tech skills.”
Adaptability in the face of new technologies is also key as it helps consultants stay efficient, respond to evolving client needs, and streamline their workload
Are Soft Skills Like Communication Important for Consultants?
Technical skills serve a fundamental purpose in consulting, enabling professionals to deliver expert advice and execute projects efficiently. However, soft skills are equally as important, if not more.
To truly advance in their careers, consultants must be excellent communicators, active listeners, strong problem solvers, and highly resilient.
Communication is the foundation of any successful client relationship. Consultants are expected to lead meetings, present strategies, and interact with clients on a daily basis.
Building a strong rapport also requires active listening. A successful consultant shows genuine interest in their client, asks the right questions, and navigates conversations with empathy. Clients need to feel heard, so they naturally gravitate toward professionals who are engaged, approachable, and thoughtful.
“A certain degree of empathy and wanting to work with clients is very helpful, especially once you come toward more client-facing roles,” says Sydney.
Each project presents a unique challenge that the client is counting on the consultant to solve. The ability to approach problems calmly, creatively, and efficiently is therefore essential.
“We look for people who have the curiosity to solve problems. Are they comfortable with ambiguity and looking at different points of view, seeking new ways of learning, and thinking?” says Amber Grewal, global head of recruiting at BCG.
Work-life balance in consulting can be demanding. Balancing long hours with personal responsibilities is no easy task, which is why resilience is a crucial trait for anyone hoping to thrive in the profession.
Courses to Build Your Skills for Consulting
The type and level of course you take will depend on your current educational and professional status.
While not a strict requirement, an MBA can be a valuable asset for an aspiring consultant, helping you develop the relevant skill set and industry knowledge, and build the strong network needed to succeed in the industry.
A master’s degree in a generalist area such as management or strategy will provide the well-rounded business acumen that consultants need to navigate diverse projects, while those looking for a consulting career in a particular area could choose a more specialized master’s degree in an area like finance or sustainability, for example.
For those certain that their future lies in consulting, some business schools even offer master’s programs specifically focused on the field. For instance, Warwick Business School offers an MSc in Business with Consulting, while the University of Leeds Business School hosts an MSc in Management Consulting.
If you’ve yet to embark on a graduate degree and aren’t sure whether consulting is the perfect fit, an opportunity like that Imperial Business School Strategy and Consulting Summer School might be just what you need. Taught over 10 days, the course aims to instill a consulting mindset in its students, helping them evaluate whether they have what it takes to succeed in the industry.
Alternatively, if you already hold a graduate degree, a short course or certification from a reputable institution can be a great way to upskill in a short amount of time. For example, Harvard Business School Online offers an eight-week program in Business Analytics, which teaches participants how to master data analysis techniques necessary for consulting.
If you're looking to fill a specific skill gap or familiarize yourself with the digital platforms commonly used in consulting, there are also many targeted short courses available. For example, LinkedIn Learning offers several online courses in Microsoft Excel—an essential tool for many consultants.
With so many courses available, it’s crucial to ask yourself what you need to learn and where you want to improve to ensure you choose the right option for your personal and professional goals.
Not sure where to begin your journey in consulting? We’ve curated a list of strategy-focused business programs to help you get started through Advancery. Start your free trial to assess your strengths, get matched with the right programs, and compare options so you can take your next steps with confidence.
