Infrastructure Development Finance to Consulting

Question

Hi everyone,

Hope you are doing well.

I am currently a postgraduate in Economics . Earlier in the year, I started a National Programme in Nigeria which allows me to gain work experience. I had the option of going to a Big 4 or a development finance institution that specialises in infrastructure development. I choose the infrastructure development firm because it was a new experience even though I want to work in consulting and thought it could help me understand infrastructure space a bit better. The internship at the firm is for 5 months and the National Programme is for a year. I have the option to switch back to the big 4 now as I have 7 months left for my national programme. Would it be a bad idea to switch back to consulting as I realised that I do not want to specialise in infrastructure anymore and how can I use the skills learnt at the development finance institution to get back into consulting?

How can I leverage or understand infrastructure consulting better by interning at the development finance institution. Also, are there usually cases on infrastructure investments at Consulting firms?

Answer 1

Hi there,

1) Would it be a bad idea to switch back to consulting as I realised that I do not want to specialise in infrastructure anymore?

I assume that at the Big 4 you would work in the strategy division. If that’s the case, given you want to do consulting and the current job is not interesting anymore, I believe switching is more aligned with your goals.

2) How can I use the skills learnt at the development finance institution to get back into consulting?

If what you learned is in line with what is required in a case interview (eg structuring problems, graph interpretation, top-down communication), you should be able to apply them during the interview process. If the skills are not related to what is covered during interviews, most likely you won’t be able to leverage them for the application process.

3) Are there usually cases on infrastructure investments at consulting firms?

You might get a case based on that, but there are no guarantees.

Good luck!

Francesco

Answer 2

The middle-east has many projects that are relevant for DFI background. If that is something that might interest you - then feel free to complete the year-long national programme and then move to consulting. Completing the programme will also add a completion box to your profile - leaving a 1-year programme mid-way may be a challenging thing to explain to the recruiters. Note that your actual projects in consulting will not necessarily be in DFI (if you don't want them to be). So regardless, completing the programme can be a good choice.

I have had 2 candidates with a DFI background (WB/WEF/IMF etc.) whom I have supported throughout their interview preparation cycle as well as their on-the-job performance cycle.

Happy to help you prepare a roadmap for transition to consulting in Middle-East with your DFI background.

Answer 3

Hi there,

If your final goal is consulting, you should definitely switch back to the Big 4.

You can leverage both your domain knowledge as well as your learnings about the way of working in the Big 4.

There are infrastructure projects across all major consulting firms.

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 4

Hi there

Complex situation.

It's rather difficult to give you useful advice knowing only this much about your situation.

But, basically, if your plan is to get into consulting, you should aim to spend your professional experience on jobs that are either in consulting or where you develop the toolkit of a consultant.

That will then make you a more attractive profile for consulting firms during screening.

Does this make sense?

Best,
Cristian

Answer 5

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your situation:

First of all, if your mid- to long-term career goal is to work in consulting, I would advise you to return to the Big 4 firm, showing your adaptability and willingness to align your career with your interests.
Moreover, as for infrastructure investment projects in consulting, yes, many firms, especially those with a focus on public sector consulting, handle such projects.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Answer 6

If you don't want to specialize in what you are doing… go back to consulting!

Answer 7

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Answer 8

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