What Type Of Person Thrives In The Consulting Industry, According To An Analyst At Analysis Group
Michael, an Analyst at Analysis Group, highlights teamwork ("you're working in teams"), curiosity and a "desire to learn," and "determination and resiliency" as crucial traits for success in consulting, emphasizing the importance of these attributes for delivering high-quality work and thriving in a demanding environment. The ability to "put the pedal to the metal" is key to success, alongside the ability to learn technical skills on the job.
Teamwork, Communication, Problem-Solving, Resilience, Ambition
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michael Stone
Analyst
Analysis Group
Williams College, Class of 2016
Fuller Theological Seminary MAT (2021); UCLA Anderson School of Management MBA (2023)
Mathematics, Data Science, Statistics
Healthcare, Medical & Wellness
Operations and Project Management
Video Highlights
1. Teamwork Skills: The ability to collaborate effectively within a team is crucial for success in consulting, as projects are rarely undertaken individually.
2. Intellectual Curiosity and a Growth Mindset: A strong desire to learn and adapt is essential, given the constantly evolving nature of consulting projects and the need for continuous research and skill development.
3. Resilience and Determination: Consulting often demands long hours and persistent effort. The capacity to persevere through challenges and maintain a high-quality work product is vital for thriving in this field.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in consulting?
That's a good question. I think a couple of things. One, you have to be a team player because you're working on teams. I didn't do a single thing on my own; I never worked on a case by myself.
So if you can't work and communicate well with others, it's going to be really hard to succeed in consulting. Being a team player is important.
Folks who are curious and have a desire to learn also do well. There's a lot in consulting that you don't know when you go in. I spent a lot of my time doing research and trying to learn the technical expertise required to do my job well.
On top of that, I like thinking about the strategic questions that always come into play in the consulting space. So, that curiosity and willingness to learn and ask questions is always key.
Generally, there are a number of people in consulting who are very ambitious. They work hard and they work smart; they are determined to succeed. Having that determination and resiliency, especially when the nights and weeks get long, is important.
You have to prioritize work sometimes over the rest of your life. Knowing that you can grind through those moments when you have to put the pedal to the metal really helps. People who embrace that do pretty well.
So, I think being a team player, being curious and willing to learn, and then having that determination, resiliency, and ambition to get things done – those are the people who end up very successful in consulting. They end up being dependable teammates, getting their work done, and delivering a really high quality of work product.
Yeah, I think those three traits often define or characterize who is successful in the consulting space.