There are no pre-defined approaches to solving many of the situations you will face. Because work settings change frequently, consultants may have to get to know a whole new set of people every few months. You will also have to adapt quickly to different industry assignments, new industries, and a broad array of problems to solve. At more senior levels within the organization, consultants must also demonstrate the ability to lead and manage other team members, and be able to develop and retain clients. Consulting offers intellectual challenge, a variety of assignments in diverse corporate environments, increasing levels of responsibility, the opportunity to work with talented colleagues, including top corporate executives, and a chance to grow professionally.
Few opportunities offer the ability to learn as much and progress as fast as a career in consulting.
However, an important consideration when evaluating consulting opportunities is lifestyle. Depending on the firm and your client assignment, consultants may spend between two to five days per week on the road. In addition, consultants frequently average between 50 to 70 hours a week, with even longer hours required at critical project points. Some consulting firms are working to improve employee lifestyle balance by doing more analysis at the firm's home office versus the client site, and by staffing projects regionally. However, this goal is not common across most consulting firms.