Career Path: Buyer to Consulting

[Peli]

Hey guys! I discovered consulting late in my college career and couldn't land an offer in time for my graduation next spring. I received first round interviews from AT Kearney and Citi (Commercial Banking), but unsurprisingly drew little additional interest from banking and consulting. Instead, I received an offer from a Fortune 500 Luxury Retailing company that starts me in a Buyer role, and I have until February to decide. Typical promotions are to senior buyer or merchandise planner roles.

My question is this: After a few years in a corporate position, could I break into consulting? Why would or wouldn't I want to?

More about me:

Target School, Economics Major

Perfect SAT Score

POOR GPA

STRONG business spirit; started a modest but lucrative company while in college to help pay tuition/expenses since I come from a low-income family

= GOALS: To buy my parents a house and get good.

I appreciate all your thoughts!

 

[OmniscientCause]

You'll most likely need to go to bschool...thats what I did and am starting in consulting coming from asset management background...I start full time in june

 

[Peli]



You'll most likely need to go to bschool...thats what I did and am starting in consulting coming from asset management background...I start full time in june

What steps would I take to get an MBA through my corporate buyer role? From what I gathered, it's an atypical career route.

 

[OmniscientCause]



What steps would I take to get an MBA through my corporate buyer role? From what I gathered, it's an atypical career route.

work for a couple of years and apply like everyone else? there are plenty of career changers in my program and a few who will be coming from buyer/retail role into consulting...i think it actually makes a decent transition into supply chain consulting.

what makes you so sure you want to work in consulting or that its a good fit for you if you havent even graduated undergrad yet? Also there are several other companies still in the midst of interviewing...not sure if federal practice is behind commercial but you might want to look there...its a bad look to renigg on an offer but you should keep your eyes peeled for other consulting roles...also if your schools career services is anything like mine, they will do anything they can to keep you from accepting another role as it behooves them to keep the relationship with the employer...so you're on your own if you want to keep looking.

 

[Peli]

work for a couple of years and apply like everyone else? there are plenty of career changers in my program and a few who will be coming from buyer/retail role into consulting...i think it actually makes a decent transition into supply chain consulting.

what makes you so sure you want to work in consulting or that its a good fit for you if you havent even graduated undergrad yet? Also there are several other companies still in the midst of interviewing...not sure if federal practice is behind commercial but you might want to look there...its a bad look to renigg on an offer but you should keep your eyes peeled for other consulting roles...also if your schools career services is anything like mine, they will do anything they can to keep you from accepting another role as it behooves them to keep the relationship with the employer...so you're on your own if you want to keep looking.

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts!

I like the buyer/retail and supply chain consulting connection you made. Those are the two areas my background agree with most strongly.

I want to work in consulting because it offers a high speed, engaging environment where I would build skills and be continuously learning. The culture of mentorship consulting firms have is also immensely appealing to me.

I'll look into federal practice and continue applying to more boutique firms.

 

[OmniscientCause]



Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts!  

I like the buyer/retail and supply chain consulting connection you made.  Those are the two areas my background agree with most strongly.

I want to work in consulting because it offers a high speed, engaging environment where I would build skills and be continuously learning.  The culture of mentorship consulting firms have is also immensely appealing to me. 

I'll look into federal practice and continue applying to more boutique firms.  

Look into cognizant. We are a target for them and they do supply chain consulting. But again most consulting companies want some exp in a specific area if that what you're most interested in