Top consulting firms advise students at annual fair

The chance to ask experienced consultants what it takes to excel in the field drew about 180 students from Chicago GSB’s Full-Time, Evening, and Weekend Programs to the annual Consulting Fair at Gleacher Center August 12.

For the third year, the event brought students and top consulting firms together to discuss employment opportunities in the field. Hosted by the Chicago Consulting Club, a Part-Time student group, the fair gave students the opportunity to speak with executives at top consulting firms, said Shrijeet Saiyad, co-chair of the club. “To have three hours to ask questions of people involved in the industry is a big advantage,” he said. “Students can touch base with them later, and the consultants will actually know you.”

Among the 20 companies that participated were Bain & Company, Booz Allen Hamilton, The Cambridge Group, Deloitte, and McKinsey & Company.

With the consulting climate brightening, consulting firms were equally excited to meet GSB students. “It’s a great opportunity for us to come out and showcase our company here,” said Jitender Batra, ’03, a consultant for The Cambridge Group. “We present our forum and get our brand name out there. We get a chance to say, ‘Here’s what Cambridge Group does. Here’s how it can help your career. What do you want to accomplish?’”

With so many talented GSB alumni among its ranks, Charter Consulting came back for more, said Matt Peterson, ’02, manager and consultant for Charter. “Being able to provide value immediately is important, especially to a small firm like us, with 40 people,” Peterson said. “We’re hiring from the GSB for a specific reason—graduates bring the analytics, the professionalism, and ability to deal with clients at a high level. And we like that.”

Advice came from several alumni, including keynote speaker Jeff Chookaszian, ’96, principal at McKinsey & Company, who said a good business consultant must have fact-based analytical skills, drive and aspiration, and the ability to lead in the absence of authority. “We look for people who have the intellectual curiosity to really dig into problems, break the problem apart into component pieces, structure it, and come up with creative solutions,” Chookaszian said.

 Phil Rockrohr