| Topic Name: |
MD seeking MBA |
| Message Name: |
I've been there and done that |
| Date Posted: |
02/21/2002 |
| In Reply To: |
Where did you look for healthcare-specific consulting? I'm looking at general management/strat consulting, but am also interested in finding jobs in straight healthcare consulting.
Thanks |
| Message: |
Three years ago I was in a dilemma.
I had finished a medical degree, and also finished an internship (different system here in Australia). During this time I had good exposure to the specialties I thought I would be interested in - mainly surgical specialties. I was at the point when I had to ask myself what I wanted as a career.
I had a litmus test for this. I had to envision myself 10 years down the track, as a fully qualified specialist, and that I would be GETTING OUT OF BED in the morning LOOKING FORWARD to the rest of the day. I just could not forsee that in the specialties of my interest. None of them would be able to hold my attention long term. All of them are filled with drudgeries of routine and paperwork. In all specialties most of your day is taken by ensuring you ask all the right questions, say the right things and do the right tests to cover your ass in case of litigation.
Even with a couple of years work experience I was already sick of "fighting the system" in order to do a good job as a doctor.
So I changed careers.
I applied to strategy consulting firms at the right time, I guess. Obviously the environment is different now, but back then I was able to get 3 separate job offers from top tier firms, and ended up going with BCG.
Why strategy consulting? Obviously because of its sexy nature, and it has kept me constantly challenged and stimulated for the past 2 years. I could utilise my medical training in systematic problem solving and client relationship skills in my case work. And even better, I was able to enter the industry without a formal degree or training (no, I didn't do an MBA... yet).
I don't regret the move at all. BCG is a great place to be, and I've been completely happy with the experience. And I think I am well placed to enter healthcare consulting, or industry in a year or so (possibly after an MBA).
Regards,
BCG Sydney
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