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Doctor pre-MBA career advice.

boutique firms Career Advising Change Career doctor Healthcare healthcare pharma MBB
New answer on Dec 22, 2020
7 Answers
1.3 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Dec 20, 2020

Hello, everybody. I'm a Doctor and also an entrepreneur in HealthCare. Co-found a Telemedicine Startup and run operations as COO.


Next year I'll start Global Online MBA at IE Business School (Top ranking at online programs). I apply for an online program to keep working at my company during the program, considering that the mix of learning at the MBA and simultaneously apply in my entrepreneurship career will boost my learning. I also applied for an MBA to shift my career in the direction of a Healthcare management/executive career, not more as a doctor.


However, there is a chance that I exit my Startup at the beginning of the MBA program, so I'm planning my next steps. I'm considering work as a Healthcare consultant.


Questions:
1- With my background (and considering the fact that the MBA is Online), do you think a consulting company could hire me?
2- As a Healthcare specialized consultant, is it probably better for me to apply for a Boutique or one of the Majors?
3- Do you guys know any consulting company specialized only in Healthcare? Could it be a good option?
4- Considering Healthcare consulting as a step to apply for an executive career in some Big Healthcare industry make sense? (like pfizer, novartis, johnson johson, etc)
5- What about internal consulting in a Healthcare company? Any experiences with that?
6- Another piece of advice???


Thank you all for the help

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Best answer
Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 21, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Thanks for posting!

1 - 110%. You are a fantastic candidate. MD MBAs are highly valued at strategy consultancies. It demonstrates that you can both think intelligently and communicate intelligently (I'll let you work out which degree is know for which :P)

2 - Honestly, both. The answer here depends on what you prefer. However, I knew a lot of doctors who ended up at MBB. As mentioned in #1 it's a more common path than you might think

3 - Yes, in particular, those that I've helped my candidates get into! To name a few:

  • Merck
  • Clearview Healthcare Partners
  • LEK Healthcare consulting practice
  • Most other large consultancies (most have a healthcare function)

4 - Yes, this path can work. You can also advance internally as well

5 - Not sure what your question is, but if you're asking whether this is a valid path it indeed is

6 - Have a lot of calls with smart people that you respect! This is also called networking :) From here, just really genuinely and clearly explain your situation. You'll be able to pick people's brains and start to work out what path works for you!

Good luck!

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Anonymous replied on Dec 21, 2020

Hi,

Let me try to answer some of your questions:

  1. You are for sure an attractive candidate for consulting firms.
  2. I would say aim to join the big 3, while also eyeing a role in a healthcare specialized boutique.
  3. Unfortunately I don't know much about this space but I am sure you can find out during your MBA
  4. Sounds reasonable path for me
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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 20, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Congrats! I was a professor in the Master in Management in IE, Madrid, and I loved every part of it. You are going to enjoy your time there a lot, I am quite sure.

1. Yes, totally

2. Both would make sense, it´s different value propositions. With your profile, 100% makes sense to shoot high and aim for Big3, Phrama and Chemicals practice.

3. Unfortunately no, but in IE they are going to help you with this.

4. Absolutely!

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 22, 2020
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

  1. Yes. Although if you are doing well in your role I don’t see why you should go for consulting (unless you don’t like to be an entrepreneur anymore)
  2. You could apply to both. Your profile would be good for both MBB and healtcare specialized consulting companies (LEK, ZS, IQVIA)
  3. As before: LEK, ZS, IQVIA are some of the companies with specialization on that. All MBB also cover that (although not only that)
  4. Yes. I know several people who did so
  5. Strategy consulting will offer more options and open more doors compared to in-house
  6. The #1 thing to land an invitation is to get a referral. You can find more on that here: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/hey-everyonehope-all-is-well-3176

Best,
Francesco

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Udayan
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 21, 2020
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

To add to answers - for healthcare consulting look at Huron and ZS. I will also say that McKinsey healthcare practice is HUGE and you can easily join as a dedicated Healthcare associate given your impressive background.

All the best,

Udayan

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Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
updated an answer on Jan 26, 2021
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360 coach(Ex-McKinsey + Certified Coach + Active recruiter)

Hi there,

1) Yes, you can be a good hire for them.

2) Aim for bigger companies.

3) It is definitely a good option.

4) Yes.

6) You can always sell your experience and expertise.

Best,

GB

(edited)

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Adi
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 21, 2020
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

Hiya,

Here's my tips for you:

  1. Yes, more so due to COVID impact. Healthcare industry is the focus at the moment isnt it...
  2. Since you are new to consulting, my steer will be towards bigger firms to give you the breadth, scope and variety of opportunities
  3. Pretty much all the big ones have a decent healthcare practice. Accenture UK (my former employer) is big in the UKI market for example
  4. Yes
  5. Stay away from this option if you are looking to learn the consulting ropes. Better do it externally first and then move into industry roles in a few years (3-5 yrs)
  6. Why dont you use the MBA resources and pro-bono projects to enhance your start-up? Think about which function you want to specialise in- Strategy? Supply Chain?

All the best!

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Ian gave the best answer

Ian

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