Knowledge Analyst

If you want to become a consultant, pursuing the knowledge track is not ideal as it unfortunately labels you which can be quite limiting. I don't want to be uninspiring but I've seen many people make this uninformed mistake and felt you would benefit from being warned in advance.

1. I highly doubt it as the experience is not directly transferable. You would need to "reset" your profile with an MBA etc.

2. I believe they are separate being different roles

3. 6 months is impossible. It would take 2-3 years for you to even consider such a transition where you would typically go through the same selection process as an external candidate (e.g., case and PEI interviews)

Hi there,

I agree with Ian, Ken and Udayan that if your goal is strategy consulting you should apply for consulting positions. In terms of your questions:

1. It depends on the role you will applying to. If you are applying for a research role, yes, but they will ask why you are leaving so early, which will be probably seen as red flag. For a consultant role, you will have to explain (i) why you want to switch to consulting now and (ii) why you are not doing it at McKinsey. The experience itself will not be particularly transferable for a consulting role. So overall it will be a difficult move
2. The positions are different in theory, I would check with HR for your specific office. However, it may be strange for HR to see you are immediately applying for two pretty different roles
3. I don’t think it is possible to do so in 6 months. I helped someone who worked as research analyst at McK and he had to an MBA after working a few years in order to apply for strategy consulting positions

Best,
Francesco

Hi there,

I couldn't agree more with Ken + Udayan.

The KA role is perfectly respectable, but do not take this role if your end goal is consulting.

No ands, ifs, or buts about it...there are better routes to take! (i.e. lower tier firm first, rising up to management level in your current firm, MBA, etc. etc.)

I hate to say this but if you want to become a management consultant, do not join as a knowledge analyst. It is EXTREMELY rare to make the move into consulting and definitely not for MBB. I strongly suggest looking at other roles with more specialization elements in them such as healthcare analytics which allow you to build expertize in a particular field that you can leverage for a move in the future.

Udayan

Hello!

Agree with the crowd here, if what you want to be is a consultant, don´t waste your time and get your eyes off the ball: go get it! (or in this case, go try!)

This said, I have seen people transitioning to consulting tracks from knowledge, but it´s rare, and I don´t think your profile would win much for BCG by achieving that in McK

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

Hi, I confirm they are very different roles. I know some KA experts made the switch but only after some years. It is not a standard path, and I would try different ways

Best

Antonello

Hi there,

I would have to agree with other coaches. The Position of Knowledge Analyst is perfectly reputable, but if your final goal is not consulting, you probably shouldn't take this position. 

Hope that helps,
GB