Eight reasons to choose a graduate career in consulting - aside from salary

On joining the consulting sector, a graduate could be earning in the region of £33,000 – with great benefits thrown in. Other possible perks include sponsored MBAs, paid time off for charity work and excellent maternity benefits. But what are the less tangible reasons for entering a career in management consulting? We went to graduate and experienced consultants to find out. Here is what they came up with:

Variety

‘You get exposed to many different sectors and clients, and are always kept on your toes,’ says Tom, an associate consultant at OC&C Strategy Consultants.

One of the most appealing aspects of management consulting is the huge variety of projects you’ll work on, colleagues you’ll work with and clients you’ll meet. Many consultancies also offer international travel opportunities.

Early responsibility 

‘I have been surprised by the level of autonomy and responsibility an analyst receives very early on in their role,’ says Zoe, a business analyst at McKinsey & Company.

You’ll be entrusted with responsibility and working with senior clients very soon into your career, which is exciting if you’re the type that thrives on challenge.

Continuous learning

‘It’s intellectually very stimulating – you’re constantly learning about an industry, a client’s organisation or its culture,’ explains Anusha, a senior associate at PwC.

Management consulting offers the chance to keep learning and developing throughout your career.

Top-notch workmates

‘My colleagues are diverse, very smart and a lot of fun to work with,’ enthuses Barbara, a consultant with Bain & Company.

The consulting sector attracts top-quality graduates, so you’ll be working with diverse, intelligent, like-minded colleagues who enjoy combining creative, innovative thinking with a very practical approach to problem solving.

An impressive skills set

‘By moving to the management consultancy side of the IT industry I have found the perfect balance of technical and business skills,’ says Lynne, a senior IT consultant at CHP Consulting.

Thanks to the toolkit of business and management skills you’ll develop, consulting could open up interesting options in other career areas further down the line.

Achieving results

‘It’s really exciting to be part of developing a strategy for a company which will change the way that certain things are done, especially when you see it being implemented in the world around you,’ explains Hannah, a senior consultant at Corporate Value Associates.

If you work on a successful consulting project, there is immense satisfaction when you see that it has made a real difference and benefited a client.

All degrees sought

‘I have worked with consultants who used to be surgeons and fighter pilots!’ says Rajeev, a principal in the financial services division at Booz & Company.

There is a strong numerical element to consulting, so it can be an advantage to have a degree in business, economics, science or technology, but it isn’t essential. The consulting profession also offers exciting career prospects for those with a relevant postgraduate degree, MBA or industry experience.

If you find these eight reasons compelling, read the graduate and senior professional profiles in full and check out the management consulting Employer Insights to find more.

• Find out more about graduate careers, working culture and training with top employers
• Read what graduates have to say about their working lives as consultants
• Advice from senior consultants