| Topic Name: |
Career Change Advice |
| Message Name: |
hard spot |
| Date Posted: |
10/20/2003 |
| In Reply To: |
Hi All,
I am presently looking for a break into management & strategy consulting.The problem lies in my work history and education. I have a BE(Industrial engg) and a Masters(Computer Systems) and presently am doin a part-time MBA from a top 50 MBA school.I am not overtly intelleigent and would rate myself as an above avg guy. My work history includes a heavy focus on tecnology and have worked tits and bits in various roles like Analyst programmer, Tech Consultant, Software Engg, BPR Analyst and balh blah. Have changed companies being an IT contractor like shirts. I am about to hit 30 next yr and think havent achieved much and believe that consulting wud be a good option.
*Is it a disadvantage to have a varied background and havin 'N'number of roles and companies on my resume?
*Is it a disadvantage to have different BE and Masters degrees..cos does it show any wekness of not being able to stick in one situation?
*How do I chart out a plan to get into a tier 1 or tier 2 magmt consulting firm in the next yr or so?
thnx.. |
| Message: |
It is not necessarily a disadvantage to have your job-hopping or BE/MS program change. In fact the latter could be an advantage, as generally it is harder to jump into a new field in grad school than to continue in the same field.
The biggest problem is getting into a tier 1 or tier 2 consulting firm, assuming you define those the way people om this board would, is that you don't seem to have the right character. You describe your self as "not overtly intelligent" and "above average" ... in teh first place, I'm not sure those are even mutally consistent ... but viewing one's self as simply "above" average is not sufficient to be credible and successful in a tier 1 or tier 2 firm. That is wehy they typically do not interview at top "50" mba programs.
Frankly, one has to generally have the confidence that you are likely amonmg the best candidates in the world at whatever your "spike" is, and a fast follower / fast learner on many other things to be credible as someone a tier 1 or 2 firm would hire. The reason is that tier 1/2 firms really do advise C-level execs and C-levels and their direct reports in better companmies really do tend to be whip-smart. They don't need average people on the teams they work with, they need kick-ass innovative and bright people.
Somewhat above average works in mid-tier IT consulting, because at the mid-tier that is largely a staff augmentation role. However it does not work in management consulting with real managerial clients at the division leadership level and above. It is also insufficient in IT consultancy where the role is serious innovation, or even in process change,. e.g. help me transform an IT shop to CMM level 3-4 ... when you get to real tier 1/2 consulting, whether it be in management (M/B/B/B) or tech (IBM, ACN), you've got to exude tier 1 personna and capabilities yourself.
By the way, I am not saying you don't have that level of capability ... jus that it's not apparent from your original posting, and hence you should reflect on whether you do or do not have the chops.
|
|
