Hi ladies. Need a little pep talk. I moved from industry to consulting 10 months ago. Was a manager in industry and am now an SC in consulting. I was very successful in industry

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Also consider if the firm you joined isn’t the right fit or the practice isn’t right. I joined from industry as a manager and my practice and firm just made me miserable for 2 years. I switched firms and the environment worked out much better for me. Not saying consulting is the best and the right fit for everyone though, but maybe you can do some networking on the side to see if another firm would be better? In the end, do what is right for you because it’s your life, your career and your happiness that matter. And remember that your previous industry experience is valuable and there is an employer out there that will place a premium on it, treat you like you deserve, and not tell you to just suck it up, but actually care about your growth and potential

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(Cont) but now that I am in consulting, I’m starting to question a lot of things. Between lots of managers with mixed feedback on expectations, not a lot of support for experienced hires at my firm, the travel every week straight and the change in industry, this has been the toughest 10 months of my career. Feeling down and questioning my decision to switch to consulting. Feels like my skills aren’t being used properly at all. Finally broke down in bathroom at client site today. Not sure what to do. Feeling lost

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Same!
I was a manager from industry and I felt I lowered my grade coming into consulting but I did it because I knew I could learn a lot and consulting could eventually open up more doors for me, so I didn’t mind lowering. I’ve been in consulting for couple years now, and about to leave and going back to industry. I still believe I have learned a lot but I don’t think this is for me. I don’t feel the connection with the team mates. And the work I do is not what I envisioned. But I still stayed for couple years because I truly believe the experiences I have gained here are valuable even though it was a tough road for me.
I am glad I worked in the industry and have options to go back

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OP I am so with you! I came from industry and have been at my job 13 months. First 5 months I cried daily. It has gotten much better but I still don’t know if it’s the right path for me. I have learned A LOT and I have no regrets but I am in the process and leaving consulting. Don’t know if that’s helpful 🙈 but I hear you. Do you have a coach/mentor type person you can connect with?

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@PWC1 - I’m considering doing the same thing. I’ve learned a lot this past year, but not sure I can keep doing it. I’ve gained weight, I’m depressed and lonely often and just all around don’t feel like myself. I used to be a super positive person and I miss that person. I’ve tried to share a bit with my counselor (who was also an experienced hire himself) and he basically said I need to suck it up. He said his first two years in consulting were the worst of his career too, but he survived and I need to figure out how to do the same. He’s also putting a lot of pressure on me to get promoted to Manager this year, without any guidance on how to get there other than “get perfect performance evaluations and do a lot of firm initiatives”

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It’s definitely a lot harder coming in from Industry without finding a good connection or two. I was fortunate to have one in my group and we’re still both friends and support systems for one another.

Sounds like you need to reevaluate why you came to consulting and what it is you want to get out of it. The weight gain is within your control.... don’t forget they hired you because you are good. Don’t let the stress diminish that!

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So lonely! And that is the exact advice I was given which almost solidified my feelings about leaving. Getting more comfortable in my daily tasks has been helpful but I feel zero connection to what I’m doing, and oddly keep getting put on projects with other subcontractors (never worked directly with anyone at my actual firm). Just feel alone out an an island. And when people’s advice is to just shut up and deal with it? Sorry- bye. No way to live my life. But I had to leave my old job to really understand what I want/need, so like I said, no regrets. I’ve learned it about myself over the past year.

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Also came from industry. My previous company didn’t use consultants so I had zero idea what this job would be like. I’ve now been here almost 3 years. I’ve had moments where I felt like I needed to leave. I’ve met assholes, but I’ve also met awesome people. I think this job is about adaptability more than anything. How do you adapt to your leadership constantly changing? Adapt to your clients who can be marvelous or an outright nightmare? Adapt to a partner who decides to flip your steerco deck the night before? Adapt to the fact that you just sometimes have to accept the 80/20 answer and move on?

The ones that do well in their job regardless of whether you’re in consulting, in industry, etc is the love for what you do and love and loyalty for the firm/company you work for. Doubts and self questioning felt by you is probably felt by the clients, your leaders, etc. It is obviously your choice where you want to be and what you want to do — and my belief is that it won’t get better until you decide what you love.

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OP: stop caring too much, that’s what puts you down. Focus on yourself and your skills, don’t try to deliver best to each client, it’s not what consulting is about.
I had a different experience, moving from consulting to corporate: cried daily ;)

It was hard to learn for consultant that YOUR company matters (client), and it is a useless life threatening skill if you are still in consulting - perfectionism and desire to please everyone will kill you. So for you it’s important to unlearn that each client matters as much as your firm, just stop GAF, and go smoothly through projects. Your expertise as consultant - give JUST ENOUGH knowledge, not too much, not to little.
If you feel that this won’t work for you, try anyway, and then if you still think so, probably you should switch to expert tack within the firm or move to corporate after a year in consulting.

Once again, it’s never a bad choice, it’s all an experience. If you figure it’s not for you, new doors will open!!

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