Management consulting is a practice that involves external professionals (management consultants) analysing and improving the performance of companies (their clients) through strategy development, organisational restructuring, financial oversight, technology augmentation, human resource management and industry analysis – as well as the potential loss of personal time and a social life.

Despite the demanding and fast-paced nature of the job, management consulting is considered a prestigious career option by many graduates because of the intellectual challenges , monetary benefits and broad-spectrum experience the position offers.

A fresh graduate looking to pursue professional advancement in the realm of management consulting may stand better chances of success joining a consulting firm with existing clients and a favourable reputation to gain insight on the job before venturing out as an independent consultant.

Management consultants are very mobile and often spend large amounts of time in the offices of their clients. They are hired on a project-basis, for a specified period of time determined by their clients and work closely with the management and staff of their client companies across various departments to find solutions to problems which have negatively affected their clients’ business viability.

Depending on where your interests and expertise lie, you may want to sign on to a firm which provides a comprehensive range of services to its clients or one that specialises in certain functions (business development, communications, IT, finance, HR) or sectors (pharmaceuticals, education, charitable movements, legal services, media).

If you possess a supremely analytical mind, are well-informed and inquisitive, can work splendidly with others and on tight deadlines, have a compelling desire to succeed as well as friends who won’t mind you taking repeated rainchecks on scheduled social events ever so often because your hours are that ridiculously unpredictable, consider making a name for yourself in management consulting.

Need the right advice? Chat with your education planner.