What can you learn from being a consultant?

Question

I recently read the question somewhere and it made me think... what do you learn from the consulting job? What would you say?

Answer 1

Hi Anonymous,

here is a list of the main things you may learn as a consultant:

Solve complex problems. You will learn how to find appropriate solutions for complex issues, even in areas you are not familiar with, using a defined structured approach.
Develop great communication skills. You will learn how to communicate properly with everyone in a company from new hires to C-levels.
Acquire knowledge of multiple industries. You will learn insider aspects of several industries in a very short period of time.
Reach challenging goals with a set time frame. You will learn how to respect apparently impossible deadlines and achieve the objectives required.
Become a team player. You will learn how to have a team-based mentality, as your job as a consultant will be strongly influenced by your team performance.
Master Excel and Power Point. You will learn how to become a lot faster and proficient with these tools than the average user.
Prioritize activities. You will learn how to become 80-20...or alternatively how to sleep very few hours ;). As a consultant, you will always have more things to do than the ones achievable in a certain time frame, hence you will have to constantly decide what to give priority to.

Dolf and Elias have also provided some very good points here:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/learning-curve-internship-consulting-331

Hope this helps,

Francesco

Answer 2

Dear A,

Here is some ideas regarding to your question:

- Learn to work better, more effecient and more effectively. This is the time when 80-20 principle will come to your life.

- Problem solving. No matter what field are there. You just have to solve it.

- Communication skills. With consulting job you will improve them a lot. It's not just about connecting and networking, but also about communicating result of your work clearly

- How to make desicions and delegate.

Best,

André

Answer 3

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