A Day in the Life of a Consultant at Boston Consulting Group
A Boston Consulting Group consultant's day is highly variable, structured by daily "standups" at 9:00 AM and "checkouts" around 5:00 or 6:00 PM to coordinate team efforts and address roadblocks; the time between involves a dynamic mix of activities, including "building a model," "interviewing people," "desk research," and client meetings, all geared toward project progress.
Project Management, Data Analysis, Teamwork, Communication, Problem-Solving
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Tripp Twyman
Consultant
Boston Consulting Group
University of Arizona
University of Southern California | Masters of Accounting
Business & Related, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Accounting
Consulting & Related Professional Services
Consulting
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. The workday starts and ends with team meetings (standups and checkouts) to ensure everyone is aligned and to identify any roadblocks.
2. Consultants engage in diverse tasks, such as building analytical models, conducting interviews, performing desk research, and leading workshops or client meetings.
3. Each day presents a unique mix of activities based on the project's goals, making the role dynamic and engaging.
Transcript
What does the day of a consultant look like?
That's a good question. Every day is different as a consultant.
My days usually start with a standup meeting around 9:00 AM. This is where the team gathers to discuss updates from the previous day, any challenges we encountered, and our plans for the current day.
We use this time to confirm we're all on the same page regarding tasks, dependencies, and commitments. After the standup, we break off to focus on our individual work.
We reconvene at the end of the day, typically around 5:00 or 6:00 PM, for a "checkout" meeting. This is another check-in where we share what we've accomplished, any obstacles we're facing, and our plans for the evening or the next day.
Structurally, that's how the day works. However, between the standup and the checkout, anything can happen.
I might spend my entire day building models in tools like Excel, Alteryx, or Tableau to create analytics supporting our work. I could also be interviewing people, such as customers, subject matter experts, or internal partners.
These interviews help me understand customer experiences or gain insights into the problem we're trying to solve. Alternatively, I might conduct desk research, looking for academic articles or online information to find answers or better understand the topic.
I may also lead workshops or have meetings with clients. My days are a mix of these activities, depending on the project's goals.
The day always begins by outlining the tasks needed to make progress on the project or my specific part of it. Then, I focus on completing those tasks by the end of the day.
Advizer Personal Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tripptwyman/, [career coaching site coming soon]