Consulting

Consulting is a popular field. But what is it? Good question! There are lots of different types of consulting. Your business school friends are likely practicing their case interviewing for management consulting. Similar work for the public sector also exists – we’ll call that government consulting (or sometimes “contracting.”) There’s also political consulting, which might be data analysis, communications strategy, and grassroots or grasstop outreach. These are just our delineations – it’s not quite so clear-cut. Explore the resources below to learn more!

And check out this alumni chat, which features an alum from each of these spaces.

Management consultants assist organizations in improving their functionality, advancing their goals, and developing effective strategies for implementing their ideas. Clients may include private companies, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and nonprofits. This work is highly innovative and requires both detailed and big-picture critical thinking. Depending on the needs of the client, consultants may work toward assessing and re-working strategies already in place, enhancing an organization’s structural and technological capabilities, or working to effect short- and long-term plans by providing both practical and analytic approaches and solutions. This is probably the type of consulting that your business-minded friends are preparing for. Competition is early and pretty fierce. Good news is: our Business Career Community has you covered! See their wealth of resources on consulting here.

Examples: McKinsey & Company, Bain


Government consultants work specifically with government agencies, often in the defense and intelligence industries as well as transportation, sustainability and health. Like other political and management consultants, those working with government agencies aim to develop creative solutions and strategies to improve their clients’ effectiveness in carrying out their missions for the benefit of the American public. This may involve economic and policy analysis, conducting and utilizing market research, and implementing technological solutions and innovations within various governmental organizations.

Examples: Booz Allen Hamilton, MITRE Corporation

For more on this type of consulting, see our info interview with Avascent (now Oliver Wyman) analysts here and a consultant with Booz Allen here.

Here are a few lists to get you thinking:


Political consulting firms conduct in-depth analyses of specific public debates and high-profile issues in order to communicate the facts surrounding these issues to an intended audience. This work, which is highly research- and analysis-oriented, can involve shaping public and business policies or advising political campaigns in a strategic capacity. Depending on the clients they work with, political consultants may focus on the political mechanics involved in successful campaigns and debates, the economic implications of business and policy decisions, the regulatory implications of proposed legislation, or the dynamics of public opinion and media. These firms can be strictly Democratic, Republican, or bipartisan.

Examples: Penta Group, SKDK, Precision Strategies

We have a lot of alums in this space! Check out the following alumni chats for more insights.

Here are some lists to familiarize you with the wide range of these organizations: