• Business Technology Consulting Graduate Blog
• Consulting Blog

“10 ways to tell you are becoming a management consultant”

Even though I have been with Capgemini for only 6 months, I am beginning to see my own transformation from a student into a fledgling consultant. The following are the signs to look out for:

1. PowerPoint becomes your baby – You will quickly learn that a consultant’s number one weapon has been laying low on your laptop for years. Your expertise will rocket as you begin to create presentations, displays and reports.
2. Upgrading your suitcase – Working away from home is a key part of the consultant’s lifestyle. I have spent 2 out of 6 months travelling across the UK, usually from Monday to Thursday. The upside is that you get a chance to socialise with your team and see new places.
3. Brown paper will be a mystery no more! – As a graduate, you will be involved in preparing and running workshops. You will quickly learn how to create presentations using large rolls of brown paper, used as a tangible means of working through client problems.
4. You become more insightful into Global business – As you work on roles across private and public sector clients, your knowledge of business and current market issues will broaden. For me, working for a large retail client at the height of the downturn gave me an insight into how our economy is making an impact.
5. You can remember the train timetable – You will spend more time on trains and tubes than ever before. Try and think of something to pass the time – I like to either watch a video on my laptop or have a browse of the Metro.
6. More points please! - Seeing as you stay in hotels, it’s always a good idea to get the points and air miles too. I chose to build up my air miles and within 6 months have enough for a return flight to Spain, Ole!
7. Aiming high – You will be working with like minded individuals who are constantly searching for the next adventure. Whether this involves trekking across South America to running mini entrepreneurial projects, you will feel inspired to get more out of life.
8. Out of the box business – At Capgemini, we pride ourselves on our charity work. We currently have teams involved with the Prince’s Trust getting ready to traverse Borneo. Someone even set up a charity, the Naandi Foundation which supports Indian girls education.
9. Get a new watch – When at university, wearing a watch was never the top priority. As a consultant you will learn and master time management, being on the ball and meeting deadlines on a daily basis.
10. A second tongue – Consultants are renowned for using business jargon like ‘blue sky thinking’ and ‘Al Desco’ (lunch at your desk). However, over time you will pick up a fluency in the more common everyday vocabulary used across businesses.

Michael is an Associate Consultant who joined Capgemini Consulting in September 2008. He is currently working in the Department for children, schools and families.