Anusha, senior associate, PwC
Anusha is a senior associate at PwC. She studied biology at University College London.
In my second year at university I completed an internship at the Department of Health, which helped me get a role in a small Italian management consultancy. This led to a business administration role in a larger consultancy with a strong brand in the public sector. Here I gained insight into how a consultancy works, how it goes to market and how an engagement is actually run. I took on additional responsibility to get involved in internal work streams and picked up some great skills such as assimilating information quickly, different approaches to problem solving and building relationships.
I applied to the PwC graduate scheme because they were looking for people with some solid experience in any degree subject – this fitted with my background perfectly. The graduates in my intake came from a big mix of disciplines and backgrounds, which had the advantage of introducing different perspectives to a problem.
The best bits
The perks of my job include getting to the heart of clients’ issues and seeing a wide variety of businesses across a large number of sectors. It’s intellectually very stimulating – you’re constantly learning about an industry, a client’s organisation or its culture. I enjoy working alongside skilled professionals on diverse problems and building new relationships with clients. One project could see you helping a small business expand globally, the next working on a cost-cutting agenda for a large private sector client.
Being successful in consulting relies on building long-lasting relationships with clients
Skills for would-be consultants
A basic understanding of business is helpful. An inquisitive nature is essential. You need to have an interest in how organisations are run and be motivated by meeting the needs of your clients. When applying, think about your transferable skills and what you have to offer which makes you stand out. As well as being ambitious and a great problem solver, being successful in consulting relies on building long-lasting relationships with clients. Simply put, ' ‘people buy people’ in this industry.