Management Consulting, Business & Admin

Want to work in management consulting, business and administration, but don’t really know exactly what it’s going to involve? Working in administration isn’t all about tapping away at a keyboard and keeping your boss well watered and fed; neither is working in management consulting about bossing people around.

In order to operate effectively, every single company needs direction, organisation, strategy and innovation. This is where managers, administration staff and management consultants all come into play. These professionals are needed in all kinds of organisations: from hospitals and bars, to television companies and toy manufacturers. To work in management consultancy, business and administration, you’ll need an arsenal of skills, including an excellent mix of logic, strategic thinking, organisational skills and communication skills.

Management consultants are strategic gurus when it comes to making businesses thrive.  Management consultancy firms are employed by companies to analyse their current business processes. They provide advice on how to enhance performance and productivity. You’ll need to be logical, flexible, analytical and a keen knowledge of current market trends. It can be very challenging work but the pay packets can be pretty hefty too.

General managers and project managers keep companies on track, providing authoritative leadership, managing staff and driving projects forward. Think less David Brent, more efficient and effective leader. To work in management, you have to be a good decision maker (no dithering) and have good communication skills. It’s not just all about being the big cheese; there are managerial positions throughout many different levels of organisations.

People who work in administration aren’t all organisational freaks. Of course, you do need to be organised and methodical, but definitely not to the extreme of colour coding your underwear. Administrative staff are the bread and butter of businesses; organisations depend on these guys to function.

There are so many different admin roles in a variety of organisations: from personal assistants and secretaries, to project support officers and programme management officers. Working in admin isn’t just a route to another career. There is an admin career ladder to work your way up and it can be pretty well paid, especially as you gain more expertise.