| Topic Name: |
how do I make the switch from big 5 to strategy |
| Message Name: |
making the switch |
| Date Posted: |
01/07/2000 |
| In Reply To: |
I graduated from college this past May and am working at a big 5 consulting firm in the Higher Education practice (clients are all colleges). My group does a lot of process improvement and technology and operations consulting, but hardly any strategy (colleges can't exactly try to expand into new markets or offer new products the way private industry can). My goal is to end up doing strategy for the high-tech industry, preferably telecom. Any thoughts on how to make this happen? There are two considerations, though:
1. I'd rather not leave my group unless I have to; My manager is a personal friend and I know he'll take care of me. The only problem is that he's big on data warehousing and really techy stuff like that, which I don't mind doing now, but not in the long run.
2. I'm definitely going to grad school (either MBA, JD/MBA, or just JD) so maybe I can just try to hit the strategy firms after the next degree.
My question is this: what types of projects should I try to get on now to reach my goal of doing strategy? |
| Message: |
I'm in a similar boat as you, so I can tell you what I've heard.
To answer your initial question: Your best shot, barring personal connections or some other unusual circumstance, is to go get an MBA from a top school. So gear your career and outside activities toward that goal...if that is indeed your ultimate goal.
As for projects to get on? It depends on your firm, your office, whatever. In my office telecommunications, the work done is technical (ie. datawarehousing, etc). But in the Energy and Consumer Products industries, the work is more strategic. So the answer is: It depends. You may want to read some books, do some research, whatever it takes to develop your "strategic skills" so that your current firm will give you a shot to do some strategic work.
In the end, your best bet is an MBA. I'd be curious though, if anyone else has successfully made the switch without getting their MBA.
|
|
