Senior Analyst
4C Associates
So far, my life in consulting has been a fascinating journey, filled with plenty of steep learning curves and unique daily challenges. Here’s a glimpse into my experiences and thoughts since joining 4C and the consulting industry.
I graduated with a degree in Politics and International Relations in 2020 and started working as a buyer for a supply chain consolidation business. I enjoyed working in the Procurement team but after three years of negotiating with the same suppliers and buying the same broad spend categories, I decided to take the dive into consulting.
One of the biggest (and pleasant) surprises about consulting is the consistent exposure to a range of diverse industries and challenges you get to work with. Over the last 12 months my exposure to new industries, clients and problems has been far reaching.
At 4C, my first project involved an elaborate PMO role where I project managed a team of Senior Consultants, Managers and Partners who delivered a Category Management focused Capability Programme which delivered bespoke training to one of Europe’s biggest nuclear facilities, delivering workshops to their directorate team of circa 150 senior employees.
Immediately after rolling off this project, I was tasked with delivering £6m worth of Defence Procurements for a Government Defence Project which required me to navigate Public Procurement and Defence Regulations for the first time, whilst ensuring the business need and requirement was sufficed to the highest possible standard. This role required a transfer of skills gained in my PMO project, whilst simultaneously having stark contrasts.
This summary personifies the nature of how Consultants work, alongside my client work I have a range of ‘extra-curricular’ responsibilities. I have helped build presentations for new bids, owned a variety of business development workstreams in 4C’s Retail Sector and Nuclear Sub-Sector as well as engaging with platforms like the MCA to grow my personal brand and soft skills. The ability to switch contexts and delve into new subject areas is both exciting and demanding resulting in a learning curve that never plateaus.
Personally, hybrid working has been a game-changer. The flexibility to work from anywhere has allowed me to maintain a better work-life balance. While remote work offers the convenience of home, in-person meetings remain invaluable for building rapport and trust with clients. The blend of both has definitely optimised my productivity, at times, being able to avoid the rush hour commute and spend the travel time working on a last-minute deliverables or simply getting to grips with the ever increasing ‘to do list’ has been a saving grace.
A core theme across my first year in Consulting has involved the theory of ‘Public Purpose’ and this theme is very self-rewarding. Personally, I enjoy the fact that my work is not just about driving growth, efficiency and ensuring solid ROI, it has also been about providing solutions that contribute positively to society as a whole and leave the client with newfound empowerment to sustain positive growth and change.
For anyone considering a career in consulting, my advice would be to embrace your curiosity and take the plunge. Moving from a Category Buyer into a Consulting firm was the best career decision I have made. If you would like a career that provides continuous learning, new experiences, technical skill development and significant client exposure, a move into consulting is for you. Since joining 4C and the consulting industry I have grown significantly as a professional and also as an individual and I look forward to my growth and future within 4C and the industry as a whole.