What a Supply Chain Operations Manager at a Big 4 firm wishes they knew before entering the Consulting industry
Renee, a Manager in Supply Chain & Operations at a Big 4 consulting firm, advises aspiring consultants to prioritize time management and effective communication regarding their capacity. The ability to "convey to the person your interest, but also your bandwidth," by stating constraints and proposing solutions, is crucial for navigating the demanding nature of the field and shaping one's career intentionally.
Time Management, Communication, Stress Management, Work-Life Balance, Career Development
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Renee Williams
Manager, Supply Chain & Operations
Big 4 Consulting Firm
University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago.
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey - MBA Supply Chain Management; MS Business Analytics
Engineering - Mechanical
Consulting & Related Professional Services
Consulting
International Student, Scholarship Recipient, Immigrant, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Time management is crucial in a demanding field like consulting.
2. Learn to say no and effectively communicate your bandwidth to avoid overcommitment.
3. A 'can-do' attitude is valuable, but it's equally important to communicate limitations and negotiate deadlines when necessary.
Transcript
What's something you wish someone had told you before you entered this industry?
Consulting is often seen as a very demanding field. If you're on social media at all, you'll see many memes about how stressful the job can be.
However, it's important to focus on solutions. Consider how to manage in a demanding field.
One key strategy is time management. You need to know how much time you have available and learn to say no.
Your career is yours to shape, so be intentional about the responsibilities you take on. You must also effectively communicate when you can't take something on.
For example, don't simply say no. It's good to have a can-do attitude and be willing to stretch yourself. When conveying your inability to take on more, you might say: "I'd love to take this opportunity. This sounds like a great assignment. However, I'm working on items A and B with a deadline of X. If I'm able to extend my deadline to Y, I would be happy to support you."
This approach conveys your interest and your bandwidth. That's crucial when entering any demanding field, whether it's consulting or otherwise. Time management and the ability to communicate your bandwidth are very important.