CONSULTING THE CONSULTANTS
In the world of business, not many careers hold the same prestige and possibilities as consulting. Once seen as a niche path reserved for business majors at top schools, consulting has become one of the most sought-after jobs for many students.
Consultants are problem-solvers for hire: people who step into organizations to help fix what’s broken or rethink what’s possible.
“There are problems everywhere in the world, and businesses have problems that they need solved,” says Evan Sukman, Ivey Business School graduate and former consultant at Mastercard Advisors, who now has his own business to help students break into the field. The Fulcrum sat down with Sukman to talk about what consulting really looks like. “Sometimes they can solve them on their own, but when the problems are too complex, that’s when they turn to external consultants.”
What actually is consulting?
Consulting is really about taking a risk. A consultant might spend three months helping a retail chain understand customer data, then switch to advising a bank on digital strategy. Each project is new: new client, new problem, new challenge. “Being able to do one project for three months in one specific industry and then switch to the next one was a big thing for me,” Sukman says. “You get to develop a very valuable and diverse skill set at the start of your career.”
He explains that consultants can work with companies of any size, from Fortune 500 corporations to local organizations. “The exact work varies, but that’s what the general idea is. It’s somebody who’s there to help companies navigate the problems that they’re currently facing.”
Why it’s become a top choice for students
For a lot of students, consulting is kind of the dream job, not because everyone wants to be a consultant forever, but because it buys you time to figure things out.
“Learning at the start of your career is super exciting,” Sukman says. “You get to develop a very valuable and diverse skill set: teamwork skills, presentation skills, analytical skills. You learn how to take a whole bunch of information and data, and distill it down into key insights that actually move the needle forward for the business.”
That constant learning and pace is part of the appeal. “The fact that it’s more than a nine-to-five job means that you get to learn more than somebody who does a nine-to-five job,” he says.
For students who often feel pressured to pick a path early, consulting gives you a way to explore before deciding.
Breaking into the field
Of course, getting into consulting isn’t easy.
Something all recruiters look for is experience; get involved on campus. The uOttawa Consulting Association is a great place to start.
Sukman also adds that case competitions are one of the best simulations of real consulting work. “If you can place well in those case competitions, you’ve got some great social proof to put on your resume.”
Not from a business background? Work even harder. “You’ve got a larger pool you’re competing against and a smaller number of opportunities, so the deck is kind of stacked against you,” he admits. “But you can still stand out by making sure your resume and cover letter are stronger than the rest.”
The takeaway
Evan Sukman’s advice to students wanting to get into the field: network and build connections, go on coffee chats, join a consulting club or two, or message him on Linkedin!
