Is Management Consulting a tough career?

Consulting's demanding reputation raises one big question: is management consulting a tough career?

In this blog we explore the realities around workload, competition, and growth to reveal if it's really as hard as people say it is.

Here's an insider look at what makes consulting demanding.

High Workload

There’s no doubt that consultants have a higher volume of work on their plates than industry peers.

There are three main factors that contribute to this:

• Tight client deadlines + internal "side of desk" contributions happening simultaneously

• Pressure to deliver exceptional work for the premium fees clients pay. Clients 

• Multiple review rounds compress project timelines 

Healthy Competition

There’s no shying away from the fact that consulting is a competitive environment. 

This is mainly due to the meritocratic promotion structure: you can always be working towards promotion but there’s only a limited number of slots which everyone is competing for. 

However, don’t be alarmed, consulting firms have healthy competition and collegiate spirit. It’s very rare that the competitive streak becomes toxic. 

Accelerated Learning

Learning comes in many forms. From certifications to on-the-job learning. The latter of these can feel overwhelming at times.

Accelerated learning opportunities comes with the following factors:

• Exposure to diverse problems and industries

• Forces you to become very efficient to juggle commitments. This takes time to master and your work-life balance might suffer whilst you adapt

• Builds resilience and adaptability 

There is a steep learning curve that can be uncomfortable at first but if you ride this out can reap huge rewards. 

The Verdict…

Consulting is tough for those seeking 9-5 predictability. The best consultants thrive on fast-paced problem-solving engagements and continual personal growth.

If the idea of learning something new every day and challenging yourself to become a better consultant excites you, then you’d find consulting an exhilarating and fulfilling career.