How did you transition out of management consulting?

[Anonymous]

I'd like to get out of management consulting - I'd like something more predictable in terms of hours and location, as well as not having the collaterol duties that come along with being a consultant (BD, networking, etc.).

I have good experience and my clients usually love me but my experience is very broad and not deep in any function or industry. I don't know what I want to do "when I grow up" and it's making it really difficult to figure out what kind of jobs to apply for. I am an absolute generalist and one of the reasons I've stayed in consulting for so long is that I haven't had to "commit" to a specialty.

The opportunity hasn't been right to take a job with a client, though I know that's probably my best option.

Any other suggestions?

[Anonymous]

are you pre or post b-school?

[Anonymous]

OP here: 10 years out of MBA. Sr. mgr level at a mid-size consulting co, been with the same firm for a while.

[Anonymous]

I was more specialized by the time I left so I was able to find something.

I do know some companies have internal advisory services- maybe something like that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: 10 years out of MBA. Sr. mgr level at a mid-size consulting co, been with the same firm for a while.

PP here. thanks.

I was the poster that started a thread in this forum last week titled "strategy consulting...do you learn anything".

Your opening post echoes some of the fears I expressed in that thread in considering a consultant position at a MBB firm.

Mind you I am much younger than you and a bit of a non-traditional candidate but the whole generalist/exit op things have me worried even though the prestige factor is tempting.

I have a couple weeks to accept or decline so i'm still pondering while waiting on another position.

[Anonymous]

It wouldn't get you out of the collateral duties, but what about federal gov't consulting? No travel, pretty predictable hours because of budget caps ...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It wouldn't get you out of the collateral duties, but what about federal gov't consulting? No travel, pretty predictable hours because of budget caps ...

Given budget issues, is federal consulting still hiring people by the droves? Especially people with zero prior federal experience and/or security clearances?

Seems like the past 2-3 years BAH (not Booz & Co.) wouldn't touch you unless you had a clearance for most of their jobs.

[Anonymous]

My firm would probably snap you up. You can email me at [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My firm would probably snap you up. You can email me at [e-mail]

I'm intrigued. Can you give me a little more to go on? Type of work? Location?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My firm would probably snap you up. You can email me at [e-mail]

I'm intrigued. Can you give me a little more to go on? Type of work? Location?

Think corporate strategy, analytics, program management, running business lines. Diversified company. Offices across the US, including here in DC/VA.

Feel free to email me if you want more details.

[Anonymous]

I worked at a Big 5 consulting firm for ten years. I did a mix of strategy consulting, business process improvement, and systems integration work. I landed a GS-15 job in the government (recruited by a former colleague) and negotiated max salary and max vacation. My job in government was pretty high profile - lots of external outreach, managing a large program, operations, etc. Great experience to go be the client, even if it was not at one of my clients. I learned a lot and enjoyed getting out of selling and delivery hell. I felt like I was able to contribute and got a lot of satisfaction out if my government job. I parlayed that experience into another job in the private sector as a government supplier (not consulting). Consulting was a great place to start, but I am glad I am out!

Good luck!