Mike, Advisor at Independent Consulting Company: Advize Career Interview

A career path blending military service, higher education, and entrepreneurial spirit, culminating in a dynamic advisory role at an independent consulting company, offers a compelling model.

The journey showcases the value of unconventional approaches—from vocational school to an Executive MBA—and highlights the importance of proactive networking, internships, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge.

This advisor's daily life balances high-volume communications with strategic planning, requiring resourcefulness, curiosity, and a keen ability to connect disparate ideas across diverse sectors, including aerospace, national security, and venture capital.

A strong emphasis on mentorship and on-the-job learning underscores the potential for rapid career growth, even without traditional preparation.

The exciting and unpredictable nature of the work, influenced by global events and technological advancements, combined with the flexibility to work from home and build genuine client partnerships, presents a rewarding, albeit challenging, career path for those seeking a multifaceted and impactful professional journey.

The advisor's journey inspires proactive networking and exploration of internships as key entry points into this field.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Mike Sims

Advisor

Independent Consulting Company

Penn State University, 2020

Executive MBA, UCLA, June 2023

Economics

Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)

Entrepreneurship and Business Owner

Veteran

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Career Path Of An Advisor As An Independent Consultant

Mike's career path is unconventional, starting with vocational school, followed by 16 years in the Marines where he pursued further education, including an undergraduate degree in economics and a language degree. This "atypical background," culminating in an Executive MBA after transitioning in 2021, offers a unique perspective for those considering similar military-to-civilian career transitions.

Career Path Of An Advisor As An Independent Consultant

Main Responsibilities of an Advisor as an Independent Consultant

Mike's main responsibilities as an advisor involve working with diverse clients—from "Aerospace startups and artificial intelligence machine learning startups" to private equity firms—in areas such as federal market entry, fundraising, and compliance; this flexible role reflects a proactive career path built on extensive networking, including internships at Goldman Sachs and a hedge fund, ultimately leading to valuable experience in venture capital and the startup world.

Main Responsibilities of an Advisor as an Independent Consultant

A Day In The Life Of An Independent Advisor

Mike's workday begins with "an hour of reading the news," followed by managing a high volume of communications across multiple platforms, meticulously planning the day around achieving "daily and weekly goals" to balance networking with productive work. The role demands significant time commitment, extending into evenings with frequent travel and client events.

A Day In The Life Of An Independent Advisor

Most Important Skills For An Independent Advisor

Mike, an advisor at an independent consulting company, emphasizes the importance of "being resourceful, being curious and being social" in their diverse role, which spans overseas projects, national security, and business, requiring broad knowledge and strong networking skills rather than deep expertise in any single area. The ability to "think abstractly and put disparate ideas together" is crucial for connecting various fields and effectively advising diverse clients.

Most Important Skills For An Independent Advisor

Favorite Parts of Being an Advisor as an Independent Consultant

Mike, an advisor at an independent consulting company, most enjoys the "unlimited flexibility" of working from home and seeing his family daily. However, this is balanced by the inherent uncertainty of independent consulting, requiring consistent effort to secure income and build genuine, long-term relationships with clients, which Mike describes as evolving into "more Partnerships."

Favorite Parts of Being an Advisor as an Independent Consultant

Biggest Challenges Faced By An Advisor At An Independent Consulting Company

Mike's biggest challenge is achieving work-life balance, stemming from a lifelong drive to excel ("I always wanted to be the best"). The advisor's five-year plan aims to achieve satisfaction, defined not only by financial success but also by prioritizing time with family and disconnecting from work during leisure.

Biggest Challenges Faced By An Advisor At An Independent Consulting Company

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Space And Defense Industry As An Advisor

Mike, an advisor at an independent consulting company, finds the dynamism of the aerospace and national security industry most rewarding; the daily work is impacted by "geopolitics, food scarcity, energy, technological developments, and finances," making each day unpredictable and requiring constant learning and adaptation.

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Space And Defense Industry As An Advisor

What Type Of Person Thrives In Consulting, According To An Independent Consulting Advisor

Individuals thriving in this industry are "curious" "thinkers or builders" who enjoy learning and connecting with others possessing diverse expertise, building extensive networks. Success stems from genuine passion for the work; it's a "lifestyle or a hobby that they get paid for," not merely a job.

What Type Of Person Thrives In Consulting, According To An Independent Consulting Advisor

What an Independent Advisor wishes they had known before entering the Venture Capital industry

Mike's unconventional path into venture capital (VC), lacking prior knowledge of the field, highlights the value of immersion over formal preparation; the advisor advises that "the best way to do it is just jump in and figure it out," suggesting on-the-job learning trumps academic study for this career.

What an Independent Advisor wishes they had known before entering the Venture Capital industry

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Independent Advisors

For undergraduate students targeting entry-level aerospace roles, Mike, an advisor at an independent consulting company, suggests internships as "the best way," advocating a proactive approach of directly contacting companies via LinkedIn. He emphasizes the importance of networking and building demonstrable skills, noting that a master's degree isn't always necessary but a combined bachelor's/master's program is beneficial for immediate industry entry.

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Independent Advisors

Significant Career Lesson From an Independent Advisor

Mike's most significant career lesson is the importance of mentorship, stating that "it is hands down the most important thing," advising that proactively seeking out and engaging with experienced professionals—perhaps those with "20 years" of experience—is key to accelerating career growth and opening many doors.

Significant Career Lesson From an Independent Advisor

College Experiences That Helped An Independent Consultant Succeed

Mike's undergraduate economics degree stemmed from a desire to understand "how the world works," particularly in regions with governance issues and lack of opportunity, leading him to a career in finance and emerging markets. The interdisciplinary nature of economics, encompassing "math, business, finance, geopolitics, psychology, sociology, and history," provided a strong foundation for a differentiated career path.

College Experiences That Helped An Independent Consultant Succeed

Advizer Personal Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjsims/