What an Associate Consultant at Ernst and Young Parthenon Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Consulting Industry
Hannah, an Associate Consultant at Ernst & Young-Parthenon, learned that project assignments depend heavily on "timing," meaning that even with networking, "you might not always get the project that you're most interested in" due to project timelines and business needs. This often requires compromising and working on less desirable projects to meet the firm's demands.
Networking, Project Management, Job Search, Industry Realities, Overcoming Challenges
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Hannah Feller
Associate Consultant
Ernst&Young-Parthenon
UCLA, 2021
NA
Economics
Consulting & Related Professional Services, Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Consulting
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. The process of securing projects you are interested in within consulting firms involves significant networking and may not always align with your ideal timeline. Projects often have specific start and end dates, which can impact your ability to transition to new projects.
2. It's common to work on projects that may not perfectly align with your interests due to business needs and project timing. Be prepared to compromise and work on projects that might be less exciting to ensure you remain fully utilized.
3. The formal process described by firms for obtaining desired projects is often influenced by unpredictable factors such as project timelines and resource availability. Your ability to join specific projects might hinge on unforeseen timing constraints, even if you've networked effectively beforehand.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone had told you before you ever started?
One of the things I learned a lot about during information sessions and the recruitment process is the emphasis on networking. This is crucial for getting on projects you're interested in. Many firms talk about a formal process for this.
You can also network within certain industries you want to work in on different types of projects. My experience has shown that timing plays a big role in how this process works. It often depends on when your current project ends and another one is starting.
From a tactical perspective, I've almost been staffed on projects I was super excited about. However, my current project was still ongoing for another week or two, and I needed to stay on at 100% capacity. So, the timing didn't quite work out.
For those interested in consulting, it's important to be aware that you might not always get the project you're most interested in. You may have to compromise and spend time on something you're not as excited about, simply because that's what the business needs.