Management Consultant
AtkinsRéalis
I joined the Junior Consultancy Development Programme at AtkinsRéalis in 2023, after completing my undergraduate degree in Economics at the University of Glasgow. Consulting wasn’t always the ‘end goal’ for me, and certainly in secondary school while choosing my degree subject I didn’t even know consultancy was a profession. However, my strong quantitative skills, and keen interest in studying a degree in which I could use analytical skills to solve real world problems, led to me choosing to study Economics. Unbeknown to me at the time, this would prepare me perfectly for a career in Consulting.
Starting my career as a management consultant has been an amazing adventure, from moving away from home for the first time, to being introduced to the vast array of clients and service offerings we have at AtkinsRéalis – although past few months have been stressful it has been a period of rapid self-development. Life as a consultant is filled with surprises, challenges, and a constant quest for innovative solutions, with the persistent need for continued learning and development.
The most surprising aspect of consulting for me is the dynamic nature of the work. Every project is a new puzzle to solve, and every client brings a new set of challenges. As a consultant, you have to be adaptable – it’s not just about providing solutions, but also about understanding the unique nuances of each client’s situation. I was also surprised about the flexibility AtkinsRéalis provides when it comes to hybrid working. We are encouraged to spend two days a week in an AtkinsRéalis or client office and have two home-office days per month to encourage us to make strong connections with our colleagues. This also gives us the freedom to work from home or from other offices – which has been amazing for me, as I am able to work from the Glasgow office when visiting family and friends back .
I was also surprised about the opportunities available to Junior Consultants within AtkinsRéalis. Regardless of seniority, every staff member is encouraged to speak up in meetings and voice their ideas or concerns. Everyone is always happy to help out and have a chat and this has allowed me to make strong connections with some very senior people within the business. We are also fortunate to benefit from formal training sessions every other Friday, equipping us with the skillset to become a true T-shaped consultant.
The consulting industry is a fascinating space to be, particularly in the face of emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, with the impact on our profession still being determined every day. There is some anxiety around the applications of AI in consulting and the declining demand for human staff, however, at AtkinsRéalis we see AI as an added tool to the consultant’s toolkit. Consulting is founded on client relationships and human intuition, and this is one thing that AI cannot do for us. Moving forward, embracing AI will be crucial in staying at the forefront of providing innovative solutions for our clients – one of the pieces of work I am doing at the moment is looking at how we can integrate AI into one of our client PMO offerings.
Sustainability and Social Value have become another focal point in the consulting industry, with most of our clients heavily evaluating this in bids. At AtkinsRéalis, we have full time staff dedicated to realising the social value we provide to our clients and through our projects. We also have a Net Zero and Social Value team at the corporate level who work to create our Net Zero and Social Value (NZSV) strategy and work with project teams to make the strategy come to life. In addition to this, we have internal initiatives dedicated to Social Value, Net Zero, ED&I, and many others. I am part of the Manchester Volunteering Initiative where we are currently working alongside a Manchester-based charity called LifeShare to support and give back to our local community. We also have a strong partnership with Upreach, a charity focussed on levelling the playing field in competitive industries and providing opportunities for students from lower socio-economic backgrounds. As the consulting industry continues to evolve, AtkinsRéalis continue to lead the way, creating a diverse and inclusive landscape for its employees to thrive.
For those considering a career in consulting, I’d say ‘go for it!’. The consulting industry is so vast and there are so many different career routes that can be taken; from technical roles in AI, coding, and data modelling, to roles that require softer skills, such as client engagement and management – there is something for everyone. It’s a career that demands resilience, agility, and a passion for solving complex problems, and as the consulting landscape continues to evolve, so too does the excitement and opportunity that comes with it.