Anybody with a consulting background?

[sunset823]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'm going to work for a year or two before entering school, and I'm currently exploring job options - considering my debtload and my background in policy/economics, healthcare consulting seems like a good option (e.g., with Deloitte, PriceWaterhouse, PRTM, etc.), but I've never really seen it come up in these threads as an option people are thinking of - mostly lab research, EMT, etc.

So, just wondering if anyone comes from a consulting background, and if so, what the life is like in terms of dealing with the application process - MCAT is already done, but I would just worry about interviews and such.

 

[JohnMadden]

I'm going to work for a year or two before entering school, and I'm currently exploring job options - considering my debtload and my background in policy/economics, healthcare consulting seems like a good option (e.g., with Deloitte, PriceWaterhouse, PRTM, etc.), but I've never really seen it come up in these threads as an option people are thinking of - mostly lab research, EMT, etc.

So, just wondering if anyone comes from a consulting background, and if so, what the life is like in terms of dealing with the application process - MCAT is already done, but I would just worry about interviews and such.

Two things you should consider:

# of Client engagements/projects: If you are working with one project/client from start to finish, then it's a lot easier to schedule your interviews because missing one won't set the entire project back. However, if you work for a company that uses the multiple engagement model, then it's VERY difficult to coordinate travel and time off with clients.


Travel: Contrary to conventional wisdom, the higher percentage of travel time required by your job makes it easier to coordinate interviews. Most full time travel consulting jobs give you Friday's off anyway, so you can just interview on Fridays. It's not going to be easy, and you will get worn down. (speaking from experience)

That being said, I think consulting gives you training/skills that are invaluable to a physician, especially if you are considering private practice. Only downfall is once people know of your intention to leave the field, you will get crappy projects and lose valuable growth opportunities, unless you have a REALLY supportive director.

 

[sunset823]

Two things you should consider:


That being said, I think consulting gives you training/skills that are invaluable to a physician, especially if you are considering private practice. Only downfall is once people know of your intention to leave the field, you will get crappy projects and lose valuable growth opportunities, unless you have a REALLY supportive director.

That's true, but even if I decided not to go to medical school, I wouldn't stay in consulting much longer than two years, because I don't really think I could manage on that lifestyle for any longer - also, I'm looking to enter as an associate, not an analyst, so I'm hoping that leaves me out of the REALLY crappy number-crunching projects - I just figured this is a better option for me than lab work, because I hate labs and I'd like to use my interests in both bio and economics