I was going to be a consultant till I took a PA to the Knee!

I’m looking for some advice. I just got told by PA that even though I’d passed the tests and phone interview and was meant to go to an assessment centre that they had filled the position and had no others available. “we would be happy to continue your application in 2014” not very helpful come graduation though. This was only after I sent two emails asking about the assessment centre so if I hadn’t who knows when they would have told me. This was for a tech and innovation life science consulting role.

These things happen but now I don’t know what to do.

I will be graduating this year with an Honours degree in Biochemistry and Pharmacology (2.1 or 1st).

I want to peruse a career in consultancy but how?

I presume that I would only be eligible for science or healthcare roles which are fine but I can’t find anyone to apply to.

Also for my dissertation I am doing a consulting project for a medical device company for a new product they want developed. So I have some consulting experience at least.

Apart from PA does anyone know of any firms that have consultancy jobs in this area?

Be honest what are my chances?

What does "took a PA to the Knee" mean? Is that pigeon English, or some new yoof phrase I've yet to learn?

Notwithstanding the above, there is something sort of honest in your post that I quite like. Unlike many of the charlatans that want to "get into" consultancy, at least you're trying to find something where your degree might be relevant.

Obviously we don't know your specifics, but with a degree in a proper subject, I think you can apply to pretty much any field of consultancy you fancy. Target the areas you're thinking of, but I think you can cast your net wider if you so wish.

Sorry common student saying round here meaning something bad stopped or got in the way of you doing something. Usually goes “I used to be a (something) till I took a (bad turn of circumstance) to the knee".

Bad choice of title perhaps.

List for yiu to look at

GE Healthcare small consulting division also med devices

ATOS Consulting / Atos

Capgemini

IBM

All big 4

CHANNEL 3

Methods consulting

Seimens

BT

All have either pharma and or healthcare divisions consulting or otherwise technology etc

Assumed you are in UK good luck

Thanks for the list I’ll start looking into each. I am UK.

I applied to Capgemini and Deloitte previously and was rejected. I wanted to start in say strategy consultancy and then move into doing that in the fields that I mentioned. Only problem is that even though my intention would be to move into something degree specific where I would be able to use my degree knowledge my application to get in the door is for a generic post where I’m up against business students.

I previously looked at Ernest and young and PwC, both work in science/pharma/health but there doesn’t seem to be a way of applying direct to those areas. Very frustrating. That’s why I’ve been looking for boutique firms recently.

First things first. Congrats on not getting the job at PA. Better to take a PA to the knee than mediocrity to the brain.

So if you are helping this medical devices company on a new product they want developed you can apply yourself commercially, and with a real degree in a real subject and refreshing honesty, I think young man you will go far.

But you need to rethink your parameters. Exactly what do you want to do in Life Sciences? Does it have to be LS? How about more overlapping issues onto LS such as customer, pricing, NPD and innovations, finance and portfolio management, marketing, regulatory, market access etc etc etc. Think laterally - all you need now is a start in a good firm, the rest is inevitable.

LS as a consulting sector is a bit awkward in the UK at least, due to consolidation in the consulting sector which has swallowed up some of the brightest lights of LS consulting. Detoilet gave you a list, add maybe IMS, ZS Associates for a more niche focus. As for the Big 4 and the like, they may not give you a direct route to apply to their LS business, but sure enough you will either be directed there once adequately bootcamped, or gravitate there anyway if you were to join them. Have a little faith in yourself BioPaul.

Thanks for the encouragement and advice I feel a bit better about my prospects now.

I would be open to all areas surrounding LS or something completely different if it was an interesting area. I’m going to widen my search. The only problem now is getting in the door to get the initial professional experience.

Hi there,

I might know a good boutique looking for a grad. Email me?

jonathan@tassellconsulting.com

I do some work with them so might be able to help.

Best,

Jon

Thank you very much for the assistance I have just sent you an email.