Consulting is a career path that gives employees the opportunity to connect with different kinds of professionals and achieve incredible results.
Unlike other types of industries, employers hire candidates for Consulting roles from a variety of educational backgrounds, making it an attractive field for many students and new grads. However, it is also a competitive industry that can be challenging to break into without some work experience under your belt. After all, you will be working with clients from a wide range of industries who are all looking for eggs-pert advice.
Fortunately, internships are a great way to ease yourself into the role of a consultant. Not only will you gain hands-on work experience, you’ll also get to practice entry-level duties, learn about a Consultant’s job, and maybe even discover the type of Consulting you want to work in.
Interested in getting an Consulting internship? Read on to find out more!
What You Need to Know
In a Consulting internship, you will get to step into the shoes of an entry-level Analyst, handling tasks like creating PowerPoints and researching data for Senior Consultants. This is one of the major benefits of interning – once you’re already familiar with the work, it will make the transition into a full-time Consulting position a lot smoother.
The length of an internship will vary by company – most are offered during the summer, spanning 3 or 4 months. However, be wary of application deadlines, as they can be months in advance. Write down the deadlines for internships you plan on applying for to help you remember them; they’re usually listed on a company’s website on their internship page.
Lastly, many Consulting companies recruit on-campus so keep an eye out for any upcoming information sessions and networking nights, which will often be listed online on a faculty’s homepage. These events are an excellent opportunity to learn more about available internships and get noticed by company recruiters.
The Application Process
Landing an internship can be as competitive as applying for a real Consulting position. While this may seem daunting, it’s a great chance to test your job-hunting skills!
Ensure that your application reflects the professional image you’re trying to project. You can do this through your CV. Highlight experiences that have helped you develop your transferable skills. For example, working in sales can showcase your ability to build customer relationships, which is an extremely useful ability to have in Consulting. If you don’t have relevant work experience, highlight your extracurriculars in the same way. For instance, listing a peer mentorship and tutoring role under volunteer work/activities shows that you have great communication skills and advising experience – two qualities that are critical for Consulting success!
Once you pass the screening process, you will likely have to complete an interview and case study. A normal interview for a full-time Consulting position will have a screening process, interview, and case study as well, so you can use this as practice for when you’re applying for full-time jobs in the future. To prepare, research common Consulting interview questions and brainstorm potential answers beforehand. Situational questions are common in Consulting interviews so be sure to provide plenty of examples to support your responses. For instance, if you’ve been in a leadership position before, think about a time where a fellow member approached you for advice – this is an effective way to highlight your problem-solving skills
Get the Most Out of Your Experience
Maximize your internship by taking the opportunity to eggs-pand your skills and knowledge, as well as dabble in different fields such as Technology and Business. Additionally, be sure to connect with senior Consultants who could potentially help you secure full-time employment after graduation.
Show initiative by asking for new assignments, such as additional research for a certain client. You can ask senior Consultants working with clients from a field you’re interested in if there’s anything you can help with, such as gathering data on strategies implemented by their industry competitors.
Does a Consulting internship sound like something you’re interested in? Start researching programs as soon as you start university. Also, if there’s a specific company that you want to intern for, make sure you check regularly for available openings and upcoming deadlines. It’s never too early to start looking!
Here are some top Employers that offer entry-level Consulting opportunities!
IBM
Accenture