C-GEM talked to Kirsten Atilho, PhD, and Kayli Martinez, PhD, about their experiences in business consulting. Dr. Atilho is a Director for Innovative Medicine Strategy & Portfolio Organization at Johnson and Johnson, and Dr. Martinez is a Business Consultant with Veeva System’s Quality Business Consulting Practice.
Key Takeaways:
- Transferable skills. At a large consulting firm, you will likely work on projects that are not relevant to your specific PhD subject matter expertise, so prepare for on-the-job learning. However, you still learned a lot of relevant skills during your PhD. Your abilities in analyzing data, communicating complex ideas, and presenting evidence-based narratives to stakeholders are great assets in consulting. Outside the lab, get involved with non-research initiatives to flex soft skills like budgeting, organizational leadership, risk management, and communication to non-scientists.
- People are your resource. Both Drs. Atilho and Martinez emphasized how important their networks were in preparing them for job interviews and applying to bridge programs. Look for clubs and organizations like Biotech Connection Bay Area to find a community of aspiring consultants with whom you can practice cases and build connections.
- Timeline. The process of getting prepared for a consulting job is a long one. Drs. Atilho and Martinez both started making connections and applying to bridge programs over a year before they graduated. Give yourself enough time to work on cases to the point where you are comfortable and confident in your delivery. That being said, a shorter timeline is possible, just be prepared for more intensive prep work to balance with your remaining PhD work.
- A Network for Life. Consulting is a career rife with continuous learning from experts in all areas of business. The start of a consulting career at a Big Three firm, even for a year or two, grants access to an expansive alumni network for all forms of career development. Much like a PhD, consulting for a reputable firm also signals work ethic, ability to perform, and credibility to future employers.
Thank you to Drs. Atilho and Martinez for taking the time to chat about their experiences!