Recap | Steven's Live Q&A: Your Consulting Career Decoded
- Avinash Pulugurtha
- Apr 17
- 8 min read
● Q&A ●
01
What kind of career planning should fresh graduates have for their careers?
I believe all fresh graduates go through a period of confusion in career planning, and I was no exception. During my time at St. Andrews, I was very uncertain about what to do. However, there is at least one thing you can do: gain a clear understanding of yourself. Assess your professional knowledge, past internship experiences, and existing skills. Evaluate the competitiveness this combination can bring you in the job market. Then, identify the gap between your current profile and the position you aspire to. Finally, think about how to bridge that gap.
02
Can non-business or non-finance majors enter strategic consulting firms? Are there development prospects? Do accounting or finance students have an advantage in management consulting?
These questions revolve around what types of majors are suitable for strategic consulting. From my experience, consulting firms do not have strict academic barriers but may prioritize certain fields. For example, if a firm specializes in financial consulting, accounting or finance majors will be welcomed. Similarly, firms like IBM, which focus on IT consulting, highly value computer science or financial engineering majors. However, these are not absolute rules. More importantly, consulting firms assess your ability to quickly learn and adapt to new knowledge and industries.
03
What are consulting firms’ requirements for academic qualifications? Did they recruit students from domestic and international universities last year? What kind of school backgrounds do they prefer? Are there Ivy League graduates?
Consulting firms do value academic qualifications, and this is often a key factor in passing the initial online application. A strong academic background serves as a guarantee for future business development. Top-tier consulting firms (Tier 1/Tier 2) typically require graduates from top domestic universities (e.g., 985/211 in China) and internationally renowned institutions. For example, IBM and the Big Four consulting firms often seek candidates with a combination of domestic prestigious universities and overseas education.
04
Do you have to intern at large firms? Are private companies also viable options?
Both large and private company internships have their advantages and disadvantages. Large firm internships are highly beneficial for future job applications because they provide strong branding and exposure to how a large, structured company operates. If the firm is your target company, it’s important to build good communication with its staff and managers. On the other hand, private company internships allow you to deeply participate in business operations, giving you a comprehensive understanding of the company rather than focusing on a single aspect. Both options have their merits depending on your goals.
05
How should one train for case studies, a key focus in consulting interviews? How can students without experience accumulate problem-solving skills?
This can be approached from three perspectives: what to practice, how to practice, and where to find practice opportunities.
What to practice: Consulting firms often use case books such as Case in Point or Harvard Business Review cases. These cases can be categorized into five types: market sizing, business operations, strategy, adaptability, and miscellaneous questions that interviewers may ask on the spot.
How to practice: First, master the theoretical frameworks and basic concepts. Then, I highly recommend finding a partner—preferably someone with work experience or consulting background—to conduct mock interviews with you. This will yield better results.
Resources: There are many case study materials available online for free download. Additionally, internships provide hands-on experience where you can apply theoretical frameworks in real projects, which is the most solid way to learn and articulate your skills during interviews.
06
What qualities does IBM’s GBS Associate Program assess in group interviews?
Group interviews primarily evaluate five dimensions:
English fluency
Image and demeanor
Logical thinking ability
Teamwork skills
Communication and expression
Interviewers score candidates based on these five aspects.
07
You mentioned that your work involves the real estate industry. Could you share a brief case study of strategic consulting for a real estate company? How does IBM’s approach differ from traditional firms like JLL or CBRE?
Many of IBM’s clients in the real estate sector are industrial property operators. Let me share a case study from Beijing:
We worked with a well-known industrial real estate operator on a strategic and digital transformation project. The project was divided into three main phases:
Strategy Design: Based on internal and external analysis and the CEO’s priorities, we redefined the business direction.
Organizational Design: We designed an organizational structure to ensure the smooth implementation of the new strategy.
Digital Support: We implemented a system to support the company’s operations and used technology to optimize and enhance various aspects of the business.
Key Difference: IBM focuses on high-level strategic planning (e.g., business direction), while traditional firms like JLL or CBRE focus on operational details (e.g., tenant efficiency, property maintenance specifics).
08
Is the IBM Summer program currently open?
Yes, the IBM Summer program is open but will close on April 30. Interested candidates should check IBM’s recruitment portal.
09
Does a 15 UIC undergraduate background qualify for target schools of top-tier consulting firms? Will IBM or other top-tier consulting firms hire fresh graduates without consulting internship experience?
You can review the academic backgrounds of candidates admitted to consulting firms in 2019 to get an idea. While there is no absolute rule, consulting firms prioritize candidates who demonstrate strong problem-solving and case analysis skills during interviews. For example, during a recruitment process at Xiamen University, I noticed a significant difference between candidates with and without consulting internship experience in terms of case analysis and presentation skills.
10
How can students without experience secure their first consulting internship? Should they start with PTA roles or domestic consulting firms?
I recommend starting as a PTA (Part-Time Assistant) because PTA roles often involve direct involvement in specific cases. You’ll work closely with senior consultants or managers, who can help you quickly understand the industry. When you apply for full-time positions, they may also provide internal referrals and mentorship. If you have a strong opportunity in a domestic consulting firm, it’s worth considering, as many domestic firms specialize in areas that align well with the Chinese market.
11
Does IBM offer remote internships? Are they common across consulting firms?
IBM’s remote internships depend on the project type and lifecycle. For example, if a project requires on-site work during the initial research phase, interns may need to assist with interviews and documentation. Later stages of the project may involve remote work, with interns contributing remotely before presenting findings to clients on-site.
12 How can someone without a business, finance, economics, or IT background break into consulting?
There are three potential approaches:
Leverage personal networks: If you have alumni working in consulting, they may help you find internship opportunities.
Explore job platforms: Check platforms like campus forums, internship groups, or professional networks for consulting internships. For example, I once recruited an intern through a message posted in a university group.
Use professional platforms: Look for opportunities on recruitment websites or partnerships that connect candidates with consulting firms.
13
If you start as a salesperson at General Electric and later want to transition to consulting, what are the prospects?
There are opportunities, but the transition may be challenging. Your advantage lies in gaining deep industry knowledge at GE, which is valuable if you continue working in that industry as a consultant. However, your mindset and problem-solving approach may differ from consulting. As a salesperson, you focus on improving performance and sales metrics, which may involve a narrow scope. Consulting requires a broader, strategic perspective. Transitioning successfully will require adapting your mindset and skills quickly.
14
Can you outline a typical career path in consulting?
There’s no universal career path in consulting, but two years is often considered a critical period. This is sometimes referred to as the "all-in or out" phase: if you don’t get promoted to Senior Consultant within two years, you may face challenges staying in the industry due to its high attrition rate. Common career paths include:
Advancing to higher positions within the same firm.
Switching to another consulting firm for new opportunities.
Transitioning to an in-house strategy team at a client company.
The consulting industry is highly dynamic, with evolving focus areas and formats.
15
Under what circumstances might IBM lay off employees?
IBM, as a publicly listed company, enforces strict ethical standards. Termination typically occurs for misconduct (e.g., fraud, policy violations). However, layoffs are not uncommon during economic downturns or global crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. While IBM offers relatively stable employment compared to smaller firms, no company is entirely immune to market conditions.
16
Do strategy roles at client firms (e.g., corporate strategy departments) require prior experience? How do they differ from consulting roles?
Many strategy roles welcome entry-level candidates to handle foundational tasks. Differences include:
Scope: Consulting focuses on external client challenges, while corporate strategy addresses internal growth initiatives.
Approach: Consulting emphasizes stakeholder management and solution delivery, whereas corporate strategy often involves resource allocation and long-term planning.
17
What emerging industries do you see consulting firms prioritizing?
While I focus on real estate, a noticeable trend is the shift from residential projects to diversified formats (e.g., mixed-use developments, smart cities). This aligns with government initiatives like "new infrastructure" and urban renewal.
18
How does IBM nurture recent hires?
IBM invests heavily in training:
Onboarding: New hires undergo intensive training (e.g., basic consulting skills, case methodologies).
Ongoing Development: Quarterly workshops on emerging trends (e.g., AI, blockchain) and leadership programs.
Knowledge Sharing: Regular seminars featuring internal experts and external thought leaders.
19
Can real estate professionals transition to consulting? What’s the path?
Yes, but adjustments are needed:
Leverage expertise: Your three years in lighting consulting provide deep industry insights (e.g., construction workflows, stakeholder dynamics).
Address gaps: Upskill in strategic frameworks (e.g., market analysis, financial modeling).
Target fit teams: Focus on consulting niches aligned with your background (e.g., smart buildings, commercial real estate operations).
20
What advice would you give recent grads about their first job?
Prioritize growth over salary. Look for companies offering:
Strong learning opportunities (e.g., mentorship, diverse projects).
Brand value (enhances future career prospects).
Cultural fit (aligns with your work style).
Job satisfaction depends less on the role type and more on alignment with your personal and professional goals.
21
I’ve worked as a construction lighting consultant at an international engineering consulting firm for nearly three years. Do I have a chance to transition to business consulting? What are my strengths and weaknesses?
Your three years of experience are a significant advantage, as they provide deep insights into the construction industry. For example, I’ve worked with large clients like China State Construction, which involves construction projects such as prefabricated buildings—this is your strength.
Your weakness may be a lack of experience in logical problem analysis, which can be improved through training and practice. Consider working with consulting colleagues or studying resources on business analysis. When transitioning, look for consulting teams aligned with your experience, such as smart city or commercial real estate operations teams.
Opportunities: The rise of "new infrastructure" in China presents opportunities for consulting in areas like urban renewal and infrastructure improvement.
Challenges: Consulting firms often recruit fresh graduates through campus hiring, limiting opportunities for experienced professionals. To overcome this, focus on upskilling and wait for the right opportunity, such as during an economic recovery.
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