Management Analysts and Consultants

Employers

More than 1 million management consultants and analysts are employed in the United States. Many consultants work in the private sector for firms that provide consulting services to companies, nonprofits, government agencies, and other organizations. Federal, state, and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations employ many of the others. The U.S. Department of Defense employs the majority of those working for the federal government. Although management consultants are employed throughout the country, most work in major metropolitan areas. About 14.4 percent of management consultants are self-employed.

Starting Out

Most government agencies offer entry-level analyst and consultant positions to people with bachelor's degrees and no work experience. Many entrants are also career changers who were formerly mid- and upper-level managers.

Anyone with some degree of business expertise can begin to work as an independent consultant. The number of one- and two-person consulting firms in this country is well over 100,000. Establishing a wide range of appropriate personal contacts is by far the most effective way to get started in this field. Consultants have to sell themselves and their expertise, a task far tougher than selling a tangible product the customer can see and handle. Many consultants get their first clients by advertising in newspapers, magazines, and trade or professional periodicals, as well as through networking. After some time in the field, word-of-mouth advertising is often the primary method of attracting new clients.