CONSULTING 101

An Introduction to Consulting for Advanced Degree Candidates

Dr. Leeland Ekstrom, PhD

Founder, Nashville BiosciencesManaging Director, BioVU PartnershipsPreviously with

Jeffrey Smiley, MBA

Principal, Professor, Owen School of ManagementPreviously with

Michael Foster, MBA

Vanderbilt Owen Class of 2017Summer Intern with

OUR PANELISTS

Slow-paced and Tedious Fast-paced and Fashionable

What is Consulting?

The business of giving expert advice on typically finance and business issues.

Types of Consulting FirmsLarge (5000+):

Midsized (1000+):

Boutique:

www.vault.com

www.wallstreetoasis.com

Why Consulting Firms Want You

•Critical Thinking•Quantitative Ability•Communication Skills•Data Analysis Skills•Scientific Thinking• Industry Expertise

I Have No Business Experience!!!

Interview Process

• 2-4 rounds of Interviews• Résumé Screen• Case Interview• Fit Interview

Résumé

Case Interview

Fit Interview

Tell me about a time that you resolveda conflict?

Why consulting?

Have you ever failed at anything?

Preparation for Consulting

• Join VUADCC!• Participate in Case Competitions• Do informational interviewing with former and current consultants• Learn about different firms on Vault and Wall Street Oasis

• Find a Case Partner• Read Case Prep Materials• Practice Case Interviews (about 50 before the first interview)• Read the latest business news (Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg)• Practice Behavioral Interviewing• Network with consultants at firms you want to join

>1 Year

<1 Year

How Can VUADCC Help You?• A series of workshops/seminars• Case Interview Workshops• Industry Overview Workshops• Invited Speaker

• Case and Fit Interview Partners• Opportunities to write about Business Problems in VUADCC

Perspectives• A Library of Case Interview Preparation Materials• Access to Case Competitions• 1-on-1 Résumé Makeovers• A Network of Alumni Consultants and Business Professionals

Ambitious and Enthusiastic Members!

TechVenture ChallengeRunners-up

IXL Innovation OlympicsWinners

TUNECC 3rd Place Finisher

Connect with VUADCC

Website: https://studentorg.vanderbilt.edu/vuadcc/

Twitter: @VUADCC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VUADCC/

Question and Answer Session

2. What are some characteristics that successful consultants have?

1. How does a typical day in consulting gofor you?

3. What was your most interesting case?

Connect with VUADCC

Website: https://studentorg.vanderbilt.edu/vuadcc/

Twitter: @VUADCC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VUADCC/