Clare is a Business Consultant on the People and Strategy team at BearingPoint Ireland. Clare worked as a Physiotherapist in a clinical setting for several years before deciding to make the switch to consulting and adapt her existing skills, like problem-solving and information-gathering.
What motivated you to make a career change?
Changing careers was something I had considered for many years, but over time, the desire grew stronger. As I gained more experience in healthcare and academia, I realised I wanted to move away from front-line service delivery and work in a role where I could influence change on a larger scale. Ultimately, I knew I wanted to work in an area where I could help to implement systemic changes and drive long-term business transformations. This motivation led me to research other career options, pursue further learning opportunities and maximize the development opportunities in my existing role until I finally felt ready to make the change.
How did you come to choose consulting?
Consulting presented as the best fit for me for a number of reasons. I was drawn to the dynamic nature of consulting and the continuous learning opportunities. The chance to work on a diverse range of projects while making a positive impact helping businesses was instantly appealing to me and aligned with my interests and values. I love working with people and learning from others which is central to any role in consulting.
I took my time making this decision and thoroughly explored a number of potential career paths. I did my own research and spoke to a wide variety of people about their careers and experiences. I also sought professional career guidance to explore my aptitudes and interests and to assess which career paths would be the most suitable for me.
What advice would you give to someone considering a similar career change?
I recommend starting with small steps, as the idea of a career change can be very intimidating at first. Reflect on the tasks you enjoy at work and imagine what a career built around those interests would look like. Talk to as many people as possible about their career journeys and explore what their day-to-day roles are like in reality. People are generally happy to share their experiences, and this can help you realise how many people have successfully changed careers and how beneficial it can be to take the leap.
What skills or experiences from your previous career have been most valuable in your new role?
Coming from a fast-paced clinical environment, my ability to quickly adapt to situations and evaluate problems has proven extremely valuable. In my previous career, it was crucial to gather information and make decisions within a short timeframe. As a consultant, problem-solving skills are essential and the variety in the day-to-day work requires this same ability to learn, adapt, and navigate new challenges. Sometimes soft skills like this can seem very intangible, however their value cannot really be understated.
What’s the most surprising skill you’ve discovered in your new role?
I have been surprised by how much I enjoy facilitating workshops and engaging with clients to understand their business needs. It is really rewarding to guide discussions with clients and create a positive experience for them while also improving my own facilitation skills.
What’s the best part about your new job?
Thankfully, I am happy to say there are lots of things I really enjoy about my new job, such as the work, the people and the company culture. If I had to pick just one, I would probably say the work variety. I have genuinely found all the projects I have worked on thus far to be really interesting, and I love learning more about different businesses, their requirements and what success looks like for them.
Was there anything daunting about making the switch?
Absolutely, I think it would be really surprising if you didn’t find it daunting. For me, I really struggled with the concept of “giving up,” having invested so much time and effort into my previous career path. I had to reframe my own narratives and accept that redirection was an opportunity and not a failure, and that all my previous experience would still have value in a new career. We spend so much of our lives at work, it is so important to try and do something that feels like the right fit for you!
Are there any preconceptions of consulting that have proved to be true/false?
I've often heard the assumption that consultants primarily work with the financial services sector. While that's a significant area in consulting, there are numerous opportunities across a wide range of industries. Personally, I've really enjoyed working with our public sector clients, especially given my background in the health sector.
As a full-fledged consultant now, what is your favourite corporate slang?
Oh, I would have to say, “boil the ocean!” The first time I heard it, it conjured up mental images of some very warm fish (haha).