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Create Your Own Consulting Career

By Kate McIntyre
Learning & Life Columnist

Are you a bright, quick-thinking professional with keen business sense? You could use your skills to make good money as a management consultant. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in 2004, management consultants averaged a yearly salary of $89,116. If you would like to enter this lucrative career field, consider earning a business degree from an accredited college or university.

Quick Tips for Aspiring Management Consultants

• Many firms do not hire consultants without a master's degree in business, such as an MBA.
• Some private firms may hire employees who only have bachelor's degrees, although an MBA can help you land the choicest clients.
• The more business experience you have, the better your chances should be of landing a job. To boost your post-grad employment options, try to secure a business internship while you are still in college.

Consulting: A Day in the Life

Management consultants are employed by a variety of businesses for expert guidance. For example, a new grocery store might hire a consultant to help bolster employee safety standards, track down popular food trends, give tax advice, or develop a budget. Consultants may also offer opinions on new technology, such as computer systems that can streamline a business's day-to-day operations. Management consultants regularly attend business meetings and seminars to keep their industry knowledge current.

According to the BLS, career prospects should be excellent for management consultants through 2014. Still, job competition is expected to be fierce due to high wages and the appeal of self-employment. Set yourself apart by earning an MBA from a well-established school. If your professional and personal lives call for a more flexible educational schedule, consider studying online.

Sources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Management Analysts"
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services"

About the Author
Kate McIntyre, a fiction writer in Portland, Oregon, holds an M.F.A. in fiction writing from Oregon State University.

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