Some Reasons Not To Go Into Consulting

I am often contacted by people that are looking to get into management consulting. There are many reasons (confirming evidence) cited for going into the profession, some of which include exciting work, the potential for high earnings, and tremendous business experience.

But there are a number of overlooked reasons for not going into the profession. It is important to look at disconfirming evidence too – if one only looks for reasons to go into the profession, one overlook some important factors.

Some reasons for not going into consulting:

  1. Without active career management, consultants are susceptible to becoming obsolete by lack of direct operating experience or subject matter expertise.
  2. Entry- to mid-level consultants often lack a direct ability to control their futures in terms of getting assigned to projects.
  3. Travel can take a toll on life, and consultants are more susceptible to having transient relationships (both personally and professionally). Some firms are known (through the grapevine) for having high divorce rates at the partner-level.
  4. Consulting can create high stress along multiple dimensions. Stress affects one’s health, and it would not be unusual for a consultant, at some point in his/her career, to feel as if the world is caving in.
  5. It is not unusual to run into persons at client sites that dislike consultants tremendously no matter what good work the consultant has done, who the consultant is, or how nice the consultant is.
  6. High earnings associated with consulting "nirvana" (for lack of a better word) can tempt one to make future professional career choices only in material terms (e.g., money and prestige of position).

I’m sure there are many other items (six off the top of my head seemed like enough). Please feel free to add to the list by commenting below.

All said, if one takes a rational look at the upsides and downsides to consulting, one can make a better informed decision about a career choice in consulting. If one is fortunate enough to get an opportunity to go into consulting, I would suggest actively managing the potential downsides or creatively turning them into an advantage.