Many engineers consider making a career change to management consulting. Consulting firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain recruit top talent from engineering backgrounds. So it’s feasible for an engineer to pivot into strategy consulting.
However, there are some key requirements to make this transition successfully. Engineers need to understand the consulting industry, develop the necessary soft skills, and showcase transferable analytical abilities. With proper preparation, an engineering background can be a strong foundation for a consulting career.
What is management consulting?
Management consulting firms are hired by companies to provide strategic advice and help improve performance. Consultants analyze a client’s business, identify issues, and make recommendations to address problems or capitalize on opportunities.
The top three strategy consulting firms are McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, often called “MBB.” These firms focus on corporate strategy, operations, organization, and other business topics. Consultants tackle complex challenges like growth strategy, digital transformation, mergers & acquisitions, operational efficiency, and more.
Beyond MBB, there are many other consulting firms like the Big Four (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC), boutiques, and IT consultancies. The consulting industry generates over $250 billion in annual revenues.
Consulting attracts top talent because it offers the opportunity to work on impactful projects across different industries. Consultants gain broad business experience and develop analytical, interpersonal, and leadership skills. Many consultants exit into corporate roles or start their own ventures.
Why hire engineers?
Consulting firms actively recruit engineers due to their analytical horsepower. Complex problem-solving is integral to both engineering and consulting. As a result, engineers possess many of the core competencies to succeed in consulting:
– Strong analytical skills: Engineers are trained to break down problems, analyze root causes, and test solutions. This structured problem-solving approach is directly applicable to business challenges.
– Technical acumen: Engineers understand technology trends and have specialized expertise. This allows them to tackle tech-focused consulting projects.
– Data-driven: Data manipulation and statistical analysis are part of an engineer’s toolbox. This enables data-driven insight generation.
– Rigor and discipline: Engineering emphasizes rigor, thoroughness, and discipline in analysis. This careful approach prevents mistakes and ensures sound recommendations.
– Leadership potential: Engineers manage teams, oversee projects, and make judgement calls. These leadership experiences can translate to leading consulting teams and client interactions.
Overall, an engineering mindset combines technical chops, structured problem-solving, and leadership skills. These qualities make engineers attractive hires for consulting firms.
What are the requirements to become a consultant?
An engineer must develop some additional skills to transition successfully into consulting:
– Business acumen: Understand fundamentals like strategy, finance, operations, sales, and marketing. Gain exposure to different industries.
– Communication: Communicate complex insights clearly and tailor messaging for different audiences. Master executive presence and stakeholder management.
– Soft skills: Build relationships, influence without authority, manage ambiguity, collaborate effectively in teams.
– Project management: Scope projects, gather resources, manage timelines, multitask efficiently.
– Cognitive flexibility: Adapt methods and thinking styles to suit different problems and contexts. Avoid rigid engineering mindsets.
Gaining these skills and experiences will position an engineer to pass the rigorous consulting interview process and succeed in the role.
Education
Most consultants have top-tier academic backgrounds at target schools. Common credentials include:
– Undergraduate engineering degree
– MBA degree
– Master’s in engineering management/analytics
A strong academic record from a target school helps get your foot in the door. Internship experience in consulting or business roles is also highly valued.
Business acumen
Develop business knowledge across functions like:
– Corporate strategy – market positioning, competition, mergers & acquisitions
– Operations – manufacturing, supply chain, process improvement
– Finance – P&L management, valuation, budgeting, forecasting
– Sales and marketing – segmentation, product marketing, pricing
– Organizational design – structure, talent, culture, change management
Get exposure to different industries to build commercial awareness – technology, healthcare, financial services, retail, industrial, etc. Understand how business fundamentals apply across sectors.
Soft skills
Consulting requires working closely with clients, so soft skills are critical:
– Communication – Present to executives, tailor messaging, synthesize complex data into insights
– Emotional intelligence – Read people, build trust and relationships
– Influence – Lead without authority, navigate politics, convince others
– Teamwork – Collaborate in fast-paced environments under pressure
– Adaptability – Adapt to different people, cultures, and business contexts
– Entrepreneurial drive – Seek out impact, take initiative beyond your role
These interpersonal abilities complement technical skills and are difficult to develop. Experience mentoring colleagues or leading student groups can help strengthen soft skills.
Get exposure to consulting
Experience in a consulting environment is invaluable preparation for the role. Ways to get exposure:
– Internships – Complete consulting internships to gain hands-on experience
– Case competitions – Practice case interviews and learn on the job skills
– Informational interviews – Speak to consultants to learn about the industry
– Campus leadership – Lead consulting-related student groups like consulting clubs
– Projects – Take on business analysis projects during engineering roles
This experience provides familiarity with consulting workflows, team environments, and client interactions. It can make the transition less daunting.
How should engineers showcase their capabilities?
Consulting recruiters evaluate critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, and communication skills. Here are some ways engineers can showcase these capabilities:
Interviews
– Frame engineering experiences using STAR method – Situation, Task, Action, Result
– Demonstrate structured problem solving approach on case interviews
– Explain how engineering knowledge applies to business problems
– Convey communication skills and executive presence
– Ask thoughtful questions to show interest in the firm
Interviews are crucial. Thoroughly preparing for case and fit interviews is key.
Resume
– Tailor resume for consulting – emphasize relevant skills
– Showcase problem solving, leadership, project management, and teamwork
– Include consulting internships, case competition experience
– Focus on impact created in engineering roles
Customizing your resume for consulting helps get an interview. Cater to what recruiters seek in candidates.
Online presence
– Build thoughtful LinkedIn profile summarizing experience
– Seek recommendations highlighting consulting potential
– Publish relevant articles on platforms like Medium
– Participate in industry groups and forums
Your online presence conveys your personal brand and can supplement your resume.
Networking
– Attend management consulting club events
– Participate in case competitions and conferences
– Connect with alumni and consultants on LinkedIn
– Follow recruiters and company accounts on social media
Networking builds relationships with the industry and firms, opening doors for referrals.
| Action | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Prepare thoroughly for case interviews | Demonstrate problem solving skills |
| Highlight relevant experience on resume | Tailor engineering background for consulting |
| Build online presence | Convey consulting potential beyond resume |
| Network with industry professionals | Gain exposure to the consulting world |
What are the pros and cons of transitioning into consulting?
Pros
– Apply engineering skills to business problems with wide impact
– Gain exposure to variety of industries and companies
– Build broad business acumen across functions
– Develop leadership, communication, and “soft” skills
– Potential for rapid career advancement and networking
– Analytical and challenging work environment
– Opportunity to travel and work abroad
Cons
– Long and unpredictable hours especially while traveling
– Can be difficult adapting to business environments
– Junior roles involve lots of grunt work and admin tasks
– High pressure, results-focused work culture
– Frequent job changes and instability
– Less focus on technical mastery vs engineering
– Lower compensation than top engineering roles
The fast-paced, dynamic nature of consulting excites some but deters others. Reflect carefully on your personality fit.
What are alternative career options vs consulting?
Consulting is not the only option for engineers seeking a fresh career path. Many engineers pivot successfully into other roles:
Engineering management
– Manage teams and oversee complex engineering projects
– Combine technical knowledge and business skills
– Become an engineering director or VP of Engineering
Operations
– Apply process excellence and analytical skills in manufacturing or supply chain ops
– Oversee production quality, efficiency, and logistics
Product management
– Blend technical background and business acumen to lead product direction
– Interface with engineering, design, and go-to-market teams
Corporate development
– Lead business development initiatives – investments, mergers & acquisitions
– Leverage financial modeling and data analysis abilities
Technology consulting
– Advise clients on tech strategy and transformations
– Combine engineering expertise and consulting skills
There are many avenues to apply engineering capabilities in business contexts beyond consulting. Evaluate your interests.
What steps can engineers take to pivot into consulting?
Engineers should take the following steps to prepare for consulting career transitions:
1. Research consulting firms and roles to understand the industry and fit
2. Network with consultants to gain insights from their experiences
3. Develop business acumen through coursework, certifications, or side projects
4. Strengthen soft skills and emotional intelligence through leadership roles
5. Gain exposure to consulting via internships, case competitions, projects
6. Prepare thoroughly for consulting interview processes
7. Apply to consulting roles and leverage networks
8. Evaluate consulting offers and alternative options
9. Choose a role aligned to your interests and development areas
With careful preparation and positioning, engineers can successfully pivot into fulfilling consulting careers. The analytical, problem-solving foundation of engineering can serve as a stepping stone into consulting.
Conclusion
Engineers have strong potential for success in consulting careers given the overlap in analytical abilities and problem-solving approach. However, developing business acumen, communication skills, and other “soft” capabilities is crucial to excel in consulting. Top consulting firms actively recruit engineers because of their technical chops and leadership potential. With thoughtful positioning and interview preparation, engineers can successfully transition into strategy consulting roles. The fast-paced, dynamic nature of consulting appeals to those seeking variety, business exposure, and rapid advancement. While challenging, a consulting career allows engineers to apply their talents to diverse problems with widespread impact.
