What do you do if you're considering a career in consulting: firm or in-house?

Early in your career it is wise to work for a consulting company rather than in house at the company using services or products. The reason is that if you work in house then your experience is limited to how that organization works which gives you a more narrow experience. By working at a firm who does this you will get a variety of experience from different clients. Additionally, all of your colleagues will also be more experienced for you to learn from them. At the beginning of your career you should definitely try to get experience from how many different businesses operate

Al considerar una carrera en consultoría, ya sea en una firma o en una empresa, es esencial valorar las experiencias y los desafíos inherentes a este campo. Como consultor, he encontrado gratificación en la diversidad de proyectos y la oportunidad de dejar una marca positiva en cada cliente. Siempre es crucial ponerse en los zapatos del cliente, ser parte de su equipo y trabajar en conjunto hacia objetivos comunes. Aunque enfrentamos competencia, largas horas y presión, el impacto positivo que generamos hace que valga la pena. En última instancia, ser consultor es sobre contribuir al éxito del cliente y crecer profesionalmente en el proceso.

Consider factors like career growth, work-life balance, and job scope. Consulting offers diverse projects and rapid skill development but may involve extensive travel and long hours. In-house roles provide stability, deeper industry knowledge, and potential for specialized expertise, but may have less variety. Evaluate personal preferences and goals to make the best decision.

In the best of my understanding, choosing between a career in a consulting firm or in-house depends on your career goals, work preferences, and lifestyle considerations. To acknowledge the fact that Consulting firms often offer a dynamic environment with diverse projects and clients, while in-house roles provide stability and deeper immersion in a specific industry or company culture. In addition, Consulting roles often involve extensive travel and long hours to meet client demands, while in-house roles may offer more predictable schedules and work-life balance. Ultimately, it’s essential to assess your career goals, personal preferences, and priorities to make an informed decision.

I agree with you, Imran. I also think that if you are not able to get that experience earlier then even later on it helps. The fact is to have mastery one should know multiple work environments. By the way, I met you 8 years ago and would love to meet again.

Mi experiencia personal en consultoría ha sido fundamental para mi rápido crecimiento profesional. Opté por la consultoría y encontré numerosas oportunidades de aprendizaje y desarrollo. Trabajar en proyectos diversos me permitió adquirir habilidades multifacéticas y ampliar mi red profesional. Además, tuve grandes mentores que me guiaron en mi trayectoria y confiaron en mi capacidad para enfrentar desafíos complejos. Esta exposición me ha brindado una comprensión profunda de diferentes industrias y una perspectiva amplia sobre soluciones empresariales.

I highly recommend starting your career with a consulting firm. If possible, target a firm that has a proven track record, mature practice, and robust methodologies. The education you will gain from a consulting firm will set a strong foundation for your career. If you have a strong desire to learn and raise your hand to support many aspects of your firm, you will quickly gain invaluable experience. After a few years of delivery and internal initiatives, you will have the skills to take your career in the direction you desire.

I'd recommend firm consulting for new to the industry folks as it does not necessarily restrict early career consultants like the in-house consulting. As consultants grow in their career, they see the need to go deeper in a particular area which would be best for in house consulting most times.