What's the exit of a digital transformation consultant?

exit options
New answer on Oct 07, 2021
5 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Oct 05, 2021

What's the exit of a digital transformation consultant? I have moved from a top tier strategy consulting house to a digital transformation consultancy and I found that IBM EY Accenture etc compete on digital transformation projects. I don't know where else can I exit to except these firms. Exit opportunity becomes way less compared with my previous firm because companies do not consider me as a strategy consultant any more. What should I do?

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Pedro
Expert
replied on Oct 05, 2021
30% off in April 2024 | Bain | EY-Parthenon | Roland Berger | Market Sizing | DARDEN MBA

I don't think you have less opportunities, quite the opposite. 
There is a lot of demand in the industry for people with your experience. Of course for digital roles, related to the whole digital transformation that every reputable company is undergoing right now.

You have to understand that while companies hire IBM, EY, etc., for digital transformation projects, that doesn't mean that they don't have people within their own ranks working on digital transformation (quite the opposite). 

In fact, those clients “grab” people from the consulting firms the whole time because they need so many people for those roles! 

They need people to:

  • Design and decide on their digital strategy (consultants don't decide for clients)
  • Run / implement their internal digital transformation programs (not all transformation is outsourced, and it shouldn't be)
  • Be the client-side of teams when they outsource projects to consultants (someone needs to control their work products and direct them) 
  • Manage the business and day-to-day operations related to that transformation

Given that you have strategy consulting (and digital) background, you can work on the first one. Given that you have digital transformation experience, you can do the other three.

So it is not clear to me why you think you have less opportunities.

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Hagen
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updated an answer on Oct 05, 2021
#1 Bain coach | >95% success rate | interviewer for 8+ years | mentor and coach for 7+ years

Hi there,

This is indeed an interesting question which is probably relevant for quite a lot of users, so I am happy to provide my perspective on it:

  • Generally speaking, it is very hard to assess your specific situation without having a read over your resume and a conversation with you since there are so many determinants that have an impact on what options you might have and what not. I would be more than happy to work with and help you get a better understanding of where you are standing career-wise.
  • Even though it might seem that career options have reduced, I would advise you not to be anxious and instead identify the whole “option space” of next career steps. For instance, you might have a look on LinkedIn and see what companies and roles people from your current employer transitioned to. Or you could have a couple of calls with executive search firms to understand what their perspective is on your current profile and possible next career steps.
  • Still, the most important question in my perspective is why you chose to switch from a Tier 1 consulting company to your current employer. What was it that sparked your interest - and are you still equally excited about your current work? If the answer is “Yes”, I would not worry too much about a potential exit in the future. It is great to think ahead but that should not cloud your view of what is now.

In case you want a more detailed discussion on what might be your most suitable next career step and how to best prepare it, please feel free to contact me directly.

I hope this helps,

Hagen

(edited)

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Ian
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replied on Oct 06, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

There is huge demand for anything digital so don't worry, the exit opportunities are vast! Off the top of my head here are a few:

  1. IT Consultancies
  2. Internal Strategy
  3. Tech companies
  4. PE firms (turnarounds and anything Digital)
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Adi
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 05, 2021
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

For a better advice, can you share following details please:

  • Which specific area of digital transformation are you working in?
  • Location/Region of your current firm
  • Which industry (s) have your roles been in

Broadly speaking, exit opportunities are plenty depending obviously on skills, experience etc you have picked up. Digital is the need of the hour and you can go into start-ups/smaller firms, Microsoft, Netflix and many others.

Check out this thread for some related tips: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-to-approach-bank-transformation-cases-10145 

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Agrim
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 07, 2021
BCG Dubai Project Leader | Learn to think like a Consultant | Free personalised prep plan | 6+ years in Consulting

You have very solid options

  • Product Manager in FAANG
  • Product head or CTO in start-ups
  • Continue as consultant and reach seniority
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Pedro gave the best answer

Pedro

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