Consulting

Consultants meet in an office.

Consultants work with clients to provide support around a range of strategic and/or operational issues. A consultant’s tasks range from conducting detailed industry analyses to benchmarking comparable organizations to devising key strategic initiatives. Consulting firms can have a specific industry focus or serve a variety of industries. While rewarding, consulting is also a competitive and demanding field. Most consultants travel frequently and often work long hours. It is important to consider the costs and benefits of a demanding profession before diving into consulting.

Industry Insights

Check out the latest Vault guide to Consulting and other related industries.

Sample Employers in LionSHARE

Focus Areas in Consulting

Here are some possible job paths you could consider in Consulting:

Energy

Provide expertise and advice to businesses, government agencies, and other organizations on a wide range of energy issues.

Environmental

Provide advice to companies and other organizations on a wide range of environmental issues such as sustainability, green manufacturing, and compliance.

Financial

Provide expertise and advice on a wide range of financial issues such as capital budgeting, profit-and-loss reporting, risk management and insurance engagements, and global finance operations.

Healthcare

Provide expertise and advice on a wide range of health care issues such as practice management, information technology, and regulatory compliance.

Human Resources

Provide advice on staffing, recruiting, training, compensation and benefits programs, diversity initiatives, and other human resources issues.

Information Technology

Help clients design and implement IT systems or develop better IT practices. Provide strategic advice on social media and IT issues. Train staff members working in IT areas.

Management

Analyze business or operating procedures to devise the most efficient methods of accomplishing work. Provide clients with advice on business operations, strategy, and other topics.

Political

Help politicians promote themselves and their issues among voters.

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Consulting Case Study Workshop with AlixPartners

On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, the Center for Career Education (CCE) hosted AlixPartners for a Design Your Next Steps workshop on Consulting Case Study. CCE was joined by three Columbia alums on the Corporate Strategy & Transformation (CS&T) team: Landon Baty (VP), Amber Swinarski (VP), and...
Interviews
Consulting

COVID-19's Effects on the Consulting Industry

By Andrew Knutson , AssiStant Director, Employer and Alumni Relations As an industry, consulting has continued to evolve over the last few months. Changes with clients have led to uncertainty in the field, as certain sectors have been heavily impacted by the coronavirus and face revenue loss...
Remote Work
Consulting

How to prepare for case interviews and other takeaways from Networking from Home: Consulting

Our most recent Networking from Home event highlighted the Consulting industry. For this iteration, we were joined by representatives from Bain & Company, CBPartners, Charles River Associates, Gemic, Kearney, Mars & Co. and OnPrem Solution Partners. Students listened and engaged with the professionals in both a large panel and individual breakout rooms. We covered a wide range of subjects throughout the afternoon and compiled a list of tips and takeaways from the event centered around skills, case interviews, and networking. Here are a few of the takeaways…
Consulting
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An Insider's Guide to Landing a Job in Consulting

If you’re considering Consulting, the time for preparation is now. The consulting industry is wide-ranging and one of the most in-demand entry-level options for students. The good news is, the industry is hiring and will continue to seek bright and eager new graduates for their programs...
Consulting