Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for strategy consultants in the United States
Strategy consultant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected strategy consultant job growth rate is 11% from 2018-2028.
About 108,400 new jobs for strategy consultants are projected over the next decade.
Strategy consultant salaries have increased 8% for strategy consultants in the last 5 years.
There are over 6,074 strategy consultants currently employed in the United States.
There are 70,241 active strategy consultant job openings in the US.
The average strategy consultant salary is $115,244.
Are strategy consultant jobs in demand?
Strategy consultant job and salary trends over time
Strategy consultant jobs over time
Strategy consultant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,074 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 5,813 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 5,627 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 5,390 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 5,157 | 0.00% |
Average strategy consultant salary over time
Strategy consultant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $115,244 | $55.41 | +2.8% |
| 2025 | $112,089 | $53.89 | +2.0% |
| 2024 | $109,919 | $52.85 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | $108,394 | $52.11 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $106,922 | $51.40 | +0.0% |
Strategy consultant jobs by state
Most common states for strategy consultants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 519 | 75% |
| 2 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 305 | 29% |
| 3 | Vermont | 623,657 | 158 | 25% |
| 4 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 189 | 22% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,360 | 20% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 247 | 18% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 675 | 16% |
| 8 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 508 | 16% |
| 9 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 167 | 16% |
| 10 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,358 | 15% |
| 11 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,241 | 15% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 828 | 15% |
| 13 | Delaware | 961,939 | 149 | 15% |
| 14 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,839 | 14% |
| 15 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 81 | 14% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 464 | 13% |
| 17 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 97 | 13% |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,538 | 12% |
| 19 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 587 | 12% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 206 | 12% |
Most common cities for strategy consultants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 4 | 10% | $122,138 |
| 2 | Atlanta | 17 | 4% | $115,138 |
| 3 | Hartford | 4 | 3% | $115,028 |
| 4 | Springfield | 4 | 3% | $106,573 |
| 5 | Stamford | 4 | 3% | $114,367 |
| 6 | Boston | 15 | 2% | $128,837 |
| 7 | Miami | 7 | 2% | $112,805 |
| 8 | Tampa | 6 | 2% | $112,819 |
| 9 | Baton Rouge | 4 | 2% | $112,529 |
| 10 | Tallahassee | 4 | 2% | $112,464 |
| 11 | Washington | 10 | 1% | $126,314 |
| 12 | Detroit | 8 | 1% | $104,291 |
| 13 | San Diego | 8 | 1% | $125,912 |
| 14 | San Francisco | 7 | 1% | $140,688 |
| 15 | Sacramento | 6 | 1% | $140,684 |
| 16 | San Jose | 6 | 1% | $139,761 |
| 17 | Indianapolis | 5 | 1% | $85,992 |
| 18 | Chicago | 11 | 0% | $108,573 |
| 19 | Los Angeles | 11 | 0% | $129,761 |
| 20 | Phoenix | 7 | 0% | $112,028 |
Strategy Consultant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of strategy consultant experts
Davidson College
Lewis-Clark State College
Xavier University
Coastal Carolina University
Florida State University
UMass Lowell
University of Nevada, Reno
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
University of Texas at El Paso
University of Michigan
University of Arizona
Indiana University South Bend
St. Olaf College
Ohio Wesleyan University
Drexel University
Bay Path University
Saint Peter's University
Drew University
Molloy College
Katie Horowitz
Associate Professor of Gender & Sexuality StudiesDavidson College
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies
What general advice would you give to a Strategy Consultant?
Katie Horowitz: With the rise of artificial intelligence, soft skills like interpersonal communication, conflict management, and critical thinking will become more important than ever before. These are assets that can’t be outsourced to AI, and they are fundamental to the work that Gender & Sexuality Studies majors do in college.
What will help Strategy Consultants increase their earning potential?
Katie Horowitz: Don’t limit yourself. I’ve seen Gender & Sexuality Studies students land jobs in business consulting, nonprofit, medicine, law, and more. The beauty of this interdisciplinary field is that it intersects with virtually every sphere of human existence. You can bring your GSS skills to bear on any line of work that interests you.
What soft skills should all Strategy Consultants possess?
Jenny Scott: Emotional Intelligence is #1. The saying goes, "IQ gets you hired; EQ gets you promoted." Those that have a high level of emotional intelligence are able to first manage their own emotions and then the ability to manage the emotions of those they lead/supervise. It involves a combination of the practice of the four components of Emotional Intelligence: Self-awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, and Relationship Management. With workplace emotions running rampant in today's world, having a leader that can help manage those effectively will create and cultivate a calming and viable work environment.
Culture "fit" is also more important than some may think. While some may meet all qualifications of the job and can effectively do the job itself, how a person "fits" with the company culture is more important. Consider the company's core values, mission, and vision and whether that aligns with your own.
Critical thinking should never be underestimated. Depending on the amount of time allowed to make a decision or think through a strategy, apply critical thinking skills to consider all options and potential consequences. Consider varying perspectives and what route and outcome will aid in attaining the organization's goals and carrying out its mission.
Listening to the needs and desires of the organization or the project. Valuing some dissension and not total conformity leads to a highly cohesive team/organization.
What skills will help Strategy Consultants earn the most?
Jenny Scott: -Emotional Intelligence
-Relevant industry experience (expertise)
-Written and oral presentation communication
-Ability to relate and connect . . .the best strategy in the world will live on paper only if the leader is not able to relate to their people (all stakeholder groups) and connect. Leadership involves three key elements: People - Influence - Goals. The most effective leaders are able to ethically influence their followers for the purpose of attaining the organization's mission and goals.
Mike Halloran
Teaching Professor, Management and Entrepreneurship, Taskforce Member, Center for InnovationXavier University
Management Department
What skills stand out on Strategy Consultant resumes?
Mike Halloran: -In today's economy, I think there are a number of key skills that a business management consultant should have, especially if working with a small business. Key skillsets/coursework in finance, marketing, and strategy is essential. In addition, I would recommend coursework in Innovation as today's business world continues to evolve so quickly.
-I would also suggest that experiential learning and/or internships are very important to success. Showing demonstrated experience is a great way to stand out in the job market, as well as give yourself and the employer confidence that you can apply what you have learned in school.
-I often can look at a student's LinkedIn profile and tell whether they have the skills and experience-based upon how well they market themselves, describe their experiences, and talk about career objectives
What soft skills should all Strategy Consultants possess?
Mike Halloran: -Leadership
-Working well with others
-Oral and written communication
- Thinking analytically, creatively, and strategically
-Leadership
-Time management
- Motivation and drive
What hard/technical skills are most important for Strategy Consultants?
Mike Halloran: Excel
-Digital communication
-Budget management
What skills will help Strategy Consultants earn the most?
Mike Halloran: -Database analytics
-Digital marketing
-Finance
-Technological innovation
Sourav Batabyal Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Finance and EconomicsCoastal Carolina University
Finance and Economics Department
What skills stand out on Strategy Consultant resumes?
Sourav Batabyal Ph.D.: Problem-solving, Creative thinking, Data Analytics, Competitive Strategies, Communication, Leadership and Team Building, Decision making.
What skills will help Strategy Consultants earn the most?
Sourav Batabyal Ph.D.: Discipline related expertise, Industry-specific certification, Data Science and Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, Project Management, Mobile Application Development, Software Programming, and Testing, Leadership and People Management, Digital (Social Media) Marketing, User Experience (UX) Design, Content Creation and Open Learning Resources.
What's a common interview question, and would you prepare to answer it?
One of the most common interview questions is "Why are you interested in this position?"
By asking this question, your employer tries to understand that you have a true connection to the company and a passion for the job you have applied for. You should start your answer by explaining why you are the best-fit candidate in terms of professional skills. Research about the organization's culture before your interview and articulate how you embrace that mission personally and add values towards that mission. Show your enthusiasm and confidence while answering the interview questions.
C. Darren Brooks Ph.D.
Assistant Department Chair and Executive Director, Center for Human Resource ManagementFlorida State University
Department of Management and the Center for Human Resource Management
What soft skills should all Strategy Consultants possess?
C. Darren Brooks Ph.D.: While advancements in technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics occupy center stage in many areas of management practice, soft skills continue to be seen as equally or even more important skills for success in the field of management. Soft skills are typically described as personal attributes, qualities, and characteristics that enable us to interact more effectively with others. In most fields of management, our ability to communicate, work with, and interact with other people constitutes a significant portion of the work we do. Consequently, employers are focused on identifying candidates who possess strong skills are areas of communication (verbal, written, and non-verbal), leadership and followership, collaboration, an ability to work in teams, intellectual curiosity, adaptability, conflict management, problem-solving, creativity.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Strategy Consultants?
C. Darren Brooks Ph.D.: As stated earlier, the field of management is broad and encompasses all industries and sectors. Consequently, the technical skills necessary to succeed will vary according to the specific knowledge and experiences required to understand the nuances of an organization. Accordingly, graduates who have business acumen and technical competency in a particular discipline or industry would be better positioned for employment opportunities. As a result, I always place emphasis on gaining internships and work experience concurrently with academic study. These experiences will provide a real-world understanding of the type of skills necessary to succeed in organizations as well as offer industry-specific knowledge. However, for many graduates, their practical skills are limited. In this case, it is important to ensure you have more generalizable skills that are applicable across industries, such as building digital fluency, analytical fluency, writing skills, and strong Excel skills. When speaking with consulting firms and industry employers, they repeatedly reference the need for graduates to demonstrate more advanced Excel skills.
What skills will help Strategy Consultants earn the most?
C. Darren Brooks Ph.D.: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in management occupations will grow over the next decade by 9%. Due to the broad array of management opportunities, variations in skills necessary for success are likely to exist based on the type of management work being performed and the industry or sector. However, there are general management skills or competencies necessary for success, including management consulting, that employers continually seek from graduates. The ten most sought-after skills include the following: critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, innovation/creativity, problem-solving, analytical fluency, digital fluency, adaptability, resilience, aptitude for collaboration and teamwork, and human capital management.
What skills stand out on Strategy Consultant resumes?
C. Darren Brooks Ph.D.: Requisite skills relevant for management consulting roles that should be visible to employers can be grouped into the following three broad categories : (1) functional expertise and/or specialization of knowledge in particular areas or disciplines, (2) strong business analytics skills, and (3) the ability to lead projects or teams. Considering the broad nature of management, and particularly management consulting, skills should reflect the specific needs of the organization or industry of practice. For example, individuals working in executive compensation would require a different set of demonstrated skills on their resume than someone engaging in performance systems analysis to support process re-engineering within a manufacturing setting. Additionally, since management professionals work in and/or lead teams, being personable, engaging, proactive, demonstrated leadership, and an ability to handle difficult situations are all skills and competencies highly sought after. In sum, regardless of the industry or sector, most employers look for skills displayed both on a resume and then demonstrated during the selection process that shows the applicant possesses the capability to work within a team, has sound analytical skills, the ability to communicate complex information, resolve conflict and solve problems.
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Program Coordinator, Masters of Science in EntrepreneurshipUMass Lowell
Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship & Innovation
What skills stand out on Strategy Consultant resumes?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: If we are talking about personal skills, I would stress skills that reflect an entrepreneurial mindset, such as innovativeness and initiative. I would also emphasize as much as possible prior experience in the relevant area.
What soft skills should all Strategy Consultants possess?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: In addition to the above, in today's environment, it is important that people are adept at improvising. For long-term career success in any field, sound leadership skills are critical. It is important to be able to formulate, communicate and execute a compelling vision for where you want to take your organization.
What skills will help Strategy Consultants earn the most?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: Although certain careers will pay more on average than others (and this discrepancy can be significant and should not be discounted, especially if a student is taking on debt to pursue an education), I strongly feel that people are best off in the long run if they stay authentic to who they are and what they are passionate about.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Strategy Consultants?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: Many people would consider communication a "soft" skill, but there is a technical aspect of it that is overlooked. Programming and data analytics are probably the most marketable skills right now.
Jim McClenahan
Director of Career and Corporate OutreachUniversity of Nevada, Reno
College of Business
What skills stand out on Strategy Consultant resumes?
Jim McClenahan: Most importantly, skills that are customized for the job you are applying. Someone could work in a restaurant and have great customer management skills that would work well in a bank. The key is identifying "transferrable skills"-how what you did is relevant for the job you are applying. The applicant has to articulate that-don't expect the committee, screener, or HR Recruiter to make the connections. For business majors, the skills that differentiate applicants are technical skills when they are relevant to the job. Data analysis, coding, SQL are often looked for by employers that have a tech focus as preferred skills.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Strategy Consultants to find work opportunities?
Jim McClenahan: The trend of great opportunities consolidating in major metropolitan areas seems to be reversing. With working remotely appearing to be a permanent feature/benefit, find a place to live that offers a lower cost and great quality of life for you and your family! Build a variety of skills and achievements in different areas and find the right culture that matches your skills.
What technical skills for a Strategy Consultant stand out to employers?
Dr. Miguel Olivas-Luján Ph.D.: Of course, there is variation across industries, but the long lockdown months have highlighted the need for skills that make telecommuting and work from home more efficient and effective. The ability to use not just technologies but also work habits that allow collaboration mediated by information and communication tools has only become more valuable. With this, I mean that it is important to use Zoom, Teams, Skype, and similar technologies, but even more than that, scheduling, collaboration, creative, professional-grade, and timely delivery (in the absence of face-to-face interaction) is vital. If a higher proportion of work-from-home becomes predominant (as many commentators expect), these skills are likely to differentiate high-performers from their counterparts.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Strategy Consultant job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Miguel Olivas-Luján Ph.D.: As the economy "reopens" (thanks to appeased fears of contagion driven by vaccination, herd immunity, people worn out by the lockdowns, warmer weather, etc.), we should see workforce adjustments across industries and occupations. Already in March, unemployment was returning to 6% (from a high of 14.8% in April 2020, but after a low of 3.5 in February 2020; https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000). Barring unexpected resistance in the virus variants or other influences, the summer and fall months should give us better job market numbers, but this recovery seems to be benefitting some population segments more than others. The unemployed rate for teenagers was at 13%, followed by Blacks (9.6%), Hispanics (7.9%), Asians (6%), adult men (5.8%), and adult women (5.7%; more detail is available at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm).
Dr. Dianne Welsh
Hayes Distinguished Professor, Founding Director Entrepreneurship Cross-Disciplinary ProgramThe University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Hospitality & Tourism
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Strategy Consultants?
Dr. Dianne Welsh: I believe all students will feel an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of knowing that one should be ready for anything, no matter when, no matter where. We teach this in entrepreneurship and it is the best degree to teach flexibility and dealing with ambiguity-the unknown. We teach how to "pivot" and look for opportunities out of any situation.
What's a day at work look like for a Strategy Consultant?
Dr. Dianne Welsh: For entrepreneurs, a day at work is going to be anything but routine. We teach how to "pivot" and look for opportunities out of any situation. That's what they'll be looking for each day while keeping up with the routine work.
What will help Strategy Consultants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Dianne Welsh: Finding opportunities that evolve in a myriad of situations. These can be while a graduate in entrepreneurship works for a small/medium enterprise, a non-profit, or a larger company or even themselves. All businesses need entrepreneurs which is "to be creative and innovative in anything that creates value" (Welsh 2014). From my book Creative Cross-Disciplinary Entrepreneurship (Palgrave-Macmillan). Entrepreneurs are needed in every organization. By finding opportunities, bringing them to the attention of companies or individuals, or pursuing the opportunity themselves, an entrepreneur increases their earning potential. Finding opportunities is a daily endeavor.
What's a day at work look like for a Strategy Consultant?
Tom Fullerton: Work days may differ substantially every week of the year. Some days may involve working in largely empty office suites as human resource departments try to ensure that social distancing minimizes infection rates. Many days will involve working from home using laptop computers, tablets, and other electronic devices. Zoom and Skype meetings will remain part of the landscape.
What's a day at work look like for a Strategy Consultant?
David Miller: Remote work has turned out to be more productive than many employers realized pre-pandemic. This may make it easier for employers headquartered in cities with high living costs to hire employees who live further away, if they can work remotely at least part time. For instance, people who work for New York firms may be able to work from home in the outer Philadelphia suburbs, and commute to New York once or twice a week for in-person meetings. A Silicon Valley firm may be able to open up offices in Detroit or Memphis, with teams of workers who coordinate with their Silicon Valley colleagues remotely most of the time, and fly in for occasional meetings and conferences.
Melody Buckner Ph.D.
Associate Vice Provost | Digital Learning and Online Initiatives, Assistant Professor of PracticeUniversity of Arizona
Digital Learning
What's a good job out of college for Strategy Consultants?
Melody Buckner Ph.D.: Any career that you can do from your home. Jobs where physical presence is required will be difficult in the future. I think collaborative space will become more the norm in public offices and private spaces will be created in personal spaces like homes or special office environments. Business will take advantage of the cost saving and put space as the responsivity of the employee. Let's hope tax codes keep up with this trend and allow write offs.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Strategy Consultant job market given the pandemic?
Huanan Xu Ph.D.: I think the biggest trend will be a more flexible working environment. With that said, the job market will also demand candidates with greater self-disciplined work ethic. The pandemic brings challenges to both job seekers and employers, it especially disturbs the work-life balance in a normal life. Almost 40 percent of jobs are categorized as teleworkable and are performed at home during the pandemic. [1] With the trend moving forward, people with the ability to budget time and deliver quality outcome without a forcing stare will stand out.
What's a good job out of college for Strategy Consultants?
Huanan Xu Ph.D.: I believe a good job could offer you the opportunity to empirically apply what you have acquired in school at the same time connect to your long-term career goal.
It's not always easy to locate a dream job at the first attempt out of college. Some first job might be tedious, and some might be too challenging. But this is the first opportunity where a student could apply theories learned from book to real world cases. I would recommend taking this opportunity to bring fresh ideas to team that may transfer into real productivity. I would also recommend making a short-term (1-year) and a long-term (5-year) career plan to vision clearly what is the path you want to follow. Comparing your current achievement at work with your long-run goal can help to see discrepancies and figure whether what you are doing would lead to where you want to be in the future.
What soft skills should all Strategy Consultants possess?
Allison Luedtke Ph.D.: A couple of years ago, a recruiter for a major investment bank emailed me to ask if she could speak with my economics class about the job prospects at her firm. I was somewhat surprised because her firm has a lot of name recognition and was not particularly local. She said that they were desperate to hire graduates from liberal arts colleges because these graduates have the technical skills (programming, statistics, etc.) but they also have "soft" skills like clear communication, abstraction, problem solving, and team building. Students should seek out opportunities to build these skills, especially if they do not typically do this. For example, I did not particularly enjoy group projects when I was a student, but I am so grateful for the courses in which I had to work in a group to complete an assignment, because it made me a better economist, researcher, and teacher.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Strategy Consultant job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Robert Gitter: 2021 is going to be a tough year for new college graduates to enter the job market. They currently face a much higher unemployment rate-almost four percent-than they did before the pandemic began. The good news, though, is that the rate is still less than half that experienced by those with only a high school diploma. The job market will improve as the pandemic (hopefully) is brought under control but it might be a few years until we see employment and earnings for college graduates recover to pre-pandemic levels.
What Strategy Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Robert Gitter: Too many students believe there is a direct relationship between one's major and the occupation they wind up in. The relationship is a lot less direct than they believe. If a student were to take a gap year, I would recommend getting an internship or volunteer in a field they might want to enter or perhaps additional coursework in an area of interest. Frankly, in 2019 I might have recommended traveling to new places during a gap year but would not make the same recommendation today.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Strategy Consultants?
Lauren D’Innocenzo Ph.D.: The coronavirus pandemic has certainly tightened the job market, with fewer available jobs in many sectors such as the service industry, but at the same time, has created many other opportunities for graduates in fields such as healthcare and supply chain. For new graduates, strategically considering opportunities may help to overcome some of the challenges presented in the current economy.
For example, if you are looking to gain experience in service, applying to service-oriented positions in IT or healthcare may offer more opportunities and give you more breadth of experience. I believe the potential for an enduring impact exists in a graduate's ability to adapt to changing demands and willingness to cast a wider net for available positions. Graduates who are myopically focused and unwilling to test their knowledge in different areas may not see the same opportunities, and over time, the lack of opportunities can add up. Now is a great time to work on your resilience and flexibility.
What type of skills will young Strategy Consultants need?
Lauren D’Innocenzo Ph.D.: We are seeing more and more the need for core skills (formerly known as soft skills). These skills include being able to work in a team, leadership, critical problem-solving, and negotiations, to name a few. Many employers see these skills as transferable across contexts and increase the likelihood that the individual will be able to work with others and think outside of the box in collaborative, knowledge-intensive environments. We know that much of the learning for jobs occurs on the job and having these core skills can really help you to stand out as a team-oriented individual, who is willing to think beyond their own needs, and can learn organizational-specific skills needed to succeed in the employer's company.
What experience really stands out on Strategy Consultant resumes?
Lauren D’Innocenzo Ph.D.: Similar to above, having experience around these core skills can really help anyone, including new graduates, stand out from the crowd. This experience can come from taking courses designed to build these skills or engaging in positions or internships that provide opportunities to grow these skills. For example, at Drexel University, we offer a program (Organizational Management) designed specifically to grow these skills through experiential learning that any student can take, regardless of undergraduate major. Outside of the classroom, being a peer leader, working as a camp counselor, or taking on an internship working in a team can be very helpful in building these skills. The key is to highlight these opportunities and skills in your resume. Don't just talk about the tasks you did, but describe the core skills needed for the position and built as a result of the position.
Additionally, remote and virtual work is not going away anytime soon. In fact, many organizations have offloaded brick and mortar locations and have strategically decided to rely more on remote business. Now more than ever, demonstrating your ability to successfully work in a remote environment will be extremely favorable for many employers.
Eleni Barbieri
Adjunct ProfessorBay Path University
School of Science and Management
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Strategy Consultant job market given the pandemic?
Eleni Barbieri: The online shopping model already had a headstart before the pandemic, and the pandemic has exponentially increased this trend. Retail sale supervision and management positions are going to decrease. Computer programming, network management, internet security, warehouse management, logistics, and delivery-related employment positions are going to increase. Also, computers have enabled more and more large corporations to allow employees to work from home. Initially originating from a need to isolate employees during the pandemic, corporations are seeing great benefits with this practice, with little or no reduction in work output and high dollar value in not having to maintain workspaces for employees. Sadly, due to a tragic decrease of generation X consumers, due to the pandemic, businesses that targeted and relied on that segment of the population will suffer.
Specifically in the area of legal services, you will see a greater difficulty in recruiting and keeping entry-level service providers. The pandemic exposed the contamination risks to those working within in the legal service profession. The risk of future pandemics, current portrayal of the legal services profession in the media, and the ever-compounding avalanche of retirements due to those factors, will create a need for employers to find incentives for people to enter and stay in this demanding field of service.
What Strategy Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Eleni Barbieri: I would highly recommend that they work to improve their communication skills. I suggest working to improve all aspects of their communication skills, verbal, nonverbal, and written. The current generation of entry-level employees is already lacking in when it comes to the communication skill set required, due to the advent of texting, emails, and all other forms of indirect communication. The ability to communicate clearly will be an invaluable asset no matter the profession they decide to pursue. While they are working on their communication skills, they should also focus on their abilities to accurately receive communications. Being able to actively listen will garner a better understanding of the message the speaker is trying to convey and the environment in which they find themselves immersed.
Additionally, they need to remain current regarding changes, updates, or trends in their chosen field. They need to remain plugged into data sources that can provide them with the vital information that they require to maintain their proficiency levels in order to successfully return to the academic environment after their gap year.
What general advice would you give to a Strategy Consultant?
Eleni Barbieri: Take advantage of every opportunity to intern, observe, or volunteer in the area of your chosen profession. Gather as much information as possible to assist you in making sure that the profession that you chose is the one that you really wantd. There are many different professions in the legal services field. Go in with an open mind and with your eyes wide open; sample all the ones you're interested in so that you can get on track to your ultimate career goal as soon as possible. Do your research to ensure that you pick the organization that best suits your ideals and your vision of an environment that inspires and motivates you to succeed.
Remember that you never stop learning. Stay informed. You will work with numerous people. Try to emulate the ones that you feel are the most successful and professional. Focus is everything. Have a short-term plan, a five-year plan, and a long-term plan. It's alright to adjust your plan as long as you keep your ultimate goals in sight.
Joseph Gilkey Ph.D.
Chair Business Administration, Director, Data Science Institute, Director of MBA and MSA Masters Programs, Associate Professor Department of Business AdministrationSaint Peter's University
Department of Business Administration
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Strategy Consultant job market given the pandemic?
Joseph Gilkey Ph.D.: The job market has become much tighter, and because of that we are seeing that employers have become much more selective in their hiring process, pushing the bar up on skill sets required of the applicant.
What skills stand out on Strategy Consultant resumes?
Christopher Andrews: A combination of hard skills and soft skills. While hard skills include things like data analysis or experience using specific computer program applications, employers also value important soft skills such as attention to detail, time management, and teamwork. The latter might be implied or taken for granted but are critical nevertheless, especially for customer-facing jobs or those involving working with a group. While we're pretty good at defining and describing hard skills, I think we need to do better in helping students to articulate their soft skills and learn how to translate academic experiences and knowledge into things employers understand and value.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Strategy Consultants to find work opportunities?
Christopher Andrews: While many could've migrated away from cities during the pandemic, cities and metropolitan areas will probably also be the places that bounce back the quickest and on the largest scale. After all, that is where the majority of businesses and consumers are located. Areas surrounded by colleges and universities, places like Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York, will also benefit from the close proximity to a pipeline of college graduates. Students in places like these might very well find that their next job isn't too far from campus!
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Strategy Consultant job market given the pandemic?
Brian Noll: The pandemic, for the most part, has not had an impact on the job market for students graduating from Molloy College with an accounting degree. The students of ours that had commitments at medium to large (Big 4) accounting firms started their positions as planned, albeit in a remote capacity. We experienced only a few individuals that had start dates deferred for a few months. In addition, the majority of our accounting students have been successful in obtaining internships for the fall of 2019 and spring of 2020.
What Strategy Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Brian Noll: To study and pass the CPA Exam as soon as possible. Studies have shown that there is a higher likelihood of success on the exam when it is taken shortly after graduation. Once a graduate starts thier full time position they will have much less time available to focus on the exam. Most firms offer a bonus ($5,000 is the norm) for employees that pass the exam within one year of their start date, as having a CPA certification increases your future earning potential and grants a higher degree of upward mobility. One should consider taking a gap year towards passing the CPA exam to be a gift. In addition, students should continually sharpen their Excel skills. Having a CPA with strong Excel skills will make a graduate much more marketable.
What general advice would you give to a Strategy Consultant?
Brian Noll: To "put your head down" and do your work! Never complain about having to work additional hours as this is the norm in the accounting profession. Having a good work ethic is essential to success in your career. Lastly, stay off your phone! Your phone should be used for personal matters on your own time and not during work hours.