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Kelsey, Engagement Manager, Consulting at Big 4 Consulting Firm: Advize Career Interview

A career path to a Big 4 consulting firm's Engagement Manager position wasn't always clear, even starting without traditional internships.

Success stemmed from a combination of diverse experiences—a non-profit role, business school, and a pivotal Deloitte internship—highlighting the power of unexpected opportunities and transferable skills.

The day-to-day work is dynamic, balancing client interactions, team management, and internal initiatives like recruiting and mentorship.

Critical thinking, effective communication, and adaptability are crucial, while the biggest challenge involves juggling multiple responsibilities and managing the pressure of multi-million dollar projects.

The most rewarding aspect is finding meaning in the work, particularly within healthcare, and the exposure to diverse industries.

A key lesson learned: reframing networking as building genuine connections, and overcoming imposter syndrome, common even after achieving success.

Aspiring consultants should consider summer internships or scholar programs and actively network with professionals, learning that "everybody is kind of learning together."

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Kelsey Gorman

Engagement Manager, Consulting

Big 4 Consulting Firm

University of Colorado, Boulder (2009)

UCLA Anderson, MBA (2014)

Biology & Related Sciences

Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)

Consulting

​

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Career Path of a Consulting Engagement Manager at a Big 4 Consulting Firm

Kelsey's career path wasn't initially planned, as "in undergrad I didn't intern," instead working part-time and then in a non-profit. This experience, however, inspired a pursuit of business school, leading to a pivotal internship at Deloitte Consulting and ultimately, a current role as an Engagement Manager at a Big 4 Consulting Firm.

Career Path of a Consulting Engagement Manager at a Big 4 Consulting Firm

Most Important Skills For A Consulting Engagement Manager At A Big 4 Consulting Firm

Kelsey's day as an Engagement Manager at a Big 4 consulting firm varies greatly, balancing "meetings with teams," client interactions including "a lot of outside meetings," and "non-client work" such as recruiting, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and mentoring junior colleagues. This variety reflects the dynamic nature of consulting and Kelsey's multifaceted role.

Most Important Skills For A Consulting Engagement Manager At A Big 4 Consulting Firm

Biggest Challenges Faced by an Engagement Manager at a Big 4 Consulting Firm

Kelsey, an Engagement Manager at a Big 4 Consulting firm, emphasized critical thinking, "that ability to think strategically and analyze a problem," and intellectual curiosity as crucial skills. Effective communication, including confidently conveying ideas to diverse stakeholders, was also highlighted as essential for success in their consulting role.

Biggest Challenges Faced by an Engagement Manager at a Big 4 Consulting Firm

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Consulting Industry, According To An Engagement Manager At A Big 4 Firm

Kelsey's biggest challenges as an Engagement Manager involved the constant multitasking and responsibility of "carrying a team," especially early in their career. The weight of client reliance on their guidance for "multi-million dollar projects," coupled with the pressure of supporting team members, initially caused self-doubt, but Kelsey overcame this by remembering the support system at the firm.

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Consulting Industry, According To An Engagement Manager At A Big 4 Firm

What an Engagement Manager at a Big 4 Consulting Firm wishes they had known before entering the Consulting industry

Kelsey's favorite aspect of the consulting industry was the opportunity to find "meaning in the work," particularly within healthcare projects, aligning with their background in molecular biology. The ability to work across diverse industries, gaining "exposure to before," also proved highly exciting.

What an Engagement Manager at a Big 4 Consulting Firm wishes they had known before entering the Consulting industry

Entry-level positions for aspiring Engagement Managers at Big 4 Firms

Kelsey, an Engagement Manager at a Big 4 Consulting firm, highlights the importance of adaptability and resilience in the consulting industry, noting that "things change frequently" and the ability to "let that go, take those Lessons Learned, and pick up and move on" is crucial. Success also hinges on maintaining composure under pressure, while remembering the broader impact of the work, even amidst less glamorous tasks.

Entry-level positions for aspiring Engagement Managers at Big 4 Firms

Significant Career Lesson From an Engagement Manager At a Big 4 Consulting Firm

Kelsey, a Big 4 Consulting Engagement Manager, wishes someone had prepared them for the persistent feeling of "imposter syndrome," even after promotion, emphasizing that consulting involves constant learning and growth; the realization that "everybody is kind of learning together" ultimately eased this feeling.

Significant Career Lesson From an Engagement Manager At a Big 4 Consulting Firm

College Experiences That Helped an Engagement Manager at Big 4 Succeed

Big four consulting firms offer "awesome summer internship programs" and "summer scholar programs" for undergraduates, allowing students to secure full-time offers upon graduation; Kelsey also recommends networking directly with professionals via LinkedIn, noting that "Consultants love to talk to people that are curious about the job."

College Experiences That Helped an Engagement Manager at Big 4 Succeed

How Identity Has Influenced an Engagement Manager at Big 4's Career

Kelsey's significant career lesson involved reframing networking, shifting from viewing it as "really formal and overwhelming" to "building genuine connections with others." This approach, involving remembering details about people's lives and following up, has built a strong network willing to offer mentorship and advice.

How Identity Has Influenced an Engagement Manager at Big 4's Career
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