Ever wondered what consultants actually do all day? While there's no such thing as a "typical" day in consulting, let's peek behind the curtain to see how these professionals navigate their dynamic work days.
Morning: Starting the Day
For many consultants, the day begins with checking overnight updates and preparing for team meetings. As Aisha, a Consultant at a top media consulting firm, shares: "Between 8:00 and 8:30, [I] check up on all the things that happened overnight."
Most consulting teams kick off with morning stand-ups to align on priorities. Steven, a Program/Project Manager at Accenture, notes that daily scrums are essential for mood checks and understanding the status of different work streams within projects.
Mid-Morning: Deep Work and Analysis
The heart of consulting work often involves intensive analysis and problem solving. Aisha explains that her work includes "quantitative and qualitative analysis on a specific company for the client... interview[ing] subject industry experts through third-party vendors... [and] forecasting things based off of financials."
Afternoon: Client Meetings and Deliverables
Afternoons frequently involve client interactions and developing deliverables. Meng, a Business Solutions Architect at Avanade, emphasizes that consultants must be ready to adapt: "Sometimes I'm working through the pricing to price out some of the deals that I'm in charge of... Sometimes I'm in approval calls with our executives, explain[ing] to them what we're actually doing."
Internal Projects and Team Collaboration
Beyond client work, consultants often engage in internal initiatives. As Kelsey, an Engagement Manager, explains: "A day might be balancing talking to the client, reviewing what the team's been working on, and then making sure that progress is happening in those things outside of client work [like] recruiting."
What Makes Consulting Unique?
The variety of work is what draws many to consulting. Jarred, a Creative Director at Ernst & Young, notes: "Nothing that I ever work on is the same." This sentiment is echoed by Tripp from Boston Consulting Group, who emphasizes that "every day is different as a consultant."
Remote vs. On-Site Work
While consulting traditionally involved on-site work with heavy travel, the landscape has evolved to provide opportunities for various modes of work. Julia, an Environmental Planner at HELIX, shares: "Each day I coordinate with HELIX staff through Microsoft Teams meetings or chats or by phone calls, as I am 100% remote."
End of Day: Wrapping Up
Days often conclude with team checkouts and planning for tomorrow. The work can be demanding, but as Renee, a Supply Chain & Operations Manager, points out, it's about "solving problems that have impact at scale."
Key Takeaway
If there's one constant in consulting, it's variety. From data analysis to client presentations, from team collaboration to strategic planning, consultants need to be ready to wear multiple hats and adapt to changing circumstances throughout their day.
Whether you're considering a career in consulting or just curious about the profession, remember that success in this field requires strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and the flexibility to thrive in a dynamic environment.
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Emily McSherry
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