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Engineers and Consulting – Likely/Unlikely Combo?

1 Comment May 27, 2009 – 4:14 pm | Permalink |  Print This Post |

One of the popular career choices for engineer’s these days is consulting; I would back that statement with full throttle since I am an engineer myself. 

One of the prominent reasons for engineers wanting to carve a career for themselves in the consulting industry is that unlike a technical job (which can be monotonous), consulting provides a challenging learning experience. Most of the technical jobs are pre-defined and checklist driven. Consulting engagements bank upon not only the technical know-how but also the business acumen.

If Fiat wants to manufacture most fuel efficient engines in the market, then they would call automobile engineering experts, on the other hand, if Fiat wants to improve its market share in the Indian market, they would bank upon consultants to do the job.

From a monetary point of view, both engineering and consulting jobs are equally rewarding, provided you consistently perform well.

The main drivers for engineers opting for consulting are
- A consulting career helps engineers acquire business acumen
- A consulting career provides excellent networking opportunity and helps consultants develop long term business relationships
- A consulting career can help engineers become excellent orators and presenters
- A consulting career is just as monetarily rewarding (if not more) as an engineering career.

However, carving a consulting career is not easy for engineers. It is even tougher to carve a consulting career in India if you do not belong to a top institution such as IIT.

As an engineer, you can take two paths in the consulting universe,
a) You can either become use your technology expertise and support consulting engagements by applying skills learned during your engineering. Most of the big consulting firms like Mckinsey, BCG, Bain, EY, KPMG, and Deloitte have a strong technology practice.
b) You can enter other consulting areas which rely more on research and creative problem solving. Transaction advisory, strategy consulting, Process advisory etc. are popular areas where engineers are used. 

Challenges that engineers face are:
- They lack business knowledge; business and management are not the focus areas during engineering
- Engineers are thought to be less dynamic; often recruiters will stereotype you as a timid, bookish and shy individual.
- Engineers lack basic accounting and financial knowledge.

What are the areas of strength for engineers?
- Most engineers are logical thinkers and are able to effectively dissect through a problem effectively without hesitation
- Engineers have strong analytical skills
- Engineers are quick learners.

As aspiring consulting from an engineering background has to focus on following things
- Handle leadership roles during your college life, take up charge of events during college fest, organize quizzes/debates, raise funds etc.
- Showcase your teaming skills by participating in teaming events in college. Teaming is utmost priority for consulting recruiters
- Focus on your presentation skills. Excellent speaking skills are a perquisite to a successful consulting career. Develop these skills by practicing mock interviews, interacting with people from varied backgrounds. A good conversationalist is always in demand.

Remember the following things:
- Getting into your dream firms doesn’t always happen immediately, it’s a step by step process. Get into a boutique consulting firm get the required experience, and then make a switch to the firm of your choice.
- After 1-1.5 years of consulting experience, background has little significance. An engineer is as good as a commerce graduate.
- Lastly,  don’t lose hope and weigh your time and keep trying till you suceed.

Author can be emailed on mohit.kant@consultingnetwork.co.in 

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