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McKinsey & Company Any advice to help prepare for data science analyst role at top consulting firms (McKinsey & Company EY Boston Consulting Group etc)? Any materials, open source platform recommended to take on freelance data science project? When should I start actively looking and applying? I am a new grad who is working in tech as a marketing analyst I’m looking to pivot to marketing& sales data science consulting next year. Would like someone with similar backgrounds offer some practical tips.
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Go for it. However, keep in mind that you probably won't have any impact on most students, but when you do it will be a feeling you will absolutely, never, ever feel in consulting
I actually moved from teaching to consulting and feel like I make much more of an impact here. All depends where your strengths lie.
Do it. Seriously. Don’t think too hard. Follow your joy. Not sure how old you are and what your personal and family situation is. As long as you have stayed true to your other commitments, do what brings you joy.
Definitely talk to people currently in the field first. My ex husband transitioned from being a claims adjuster to school counseling during the last recession for the same reason as you, to make a real difference. It was a long haul for him once he got to the internship stage. He was placed in a struggling, poorly funded school and he realized he would probably have little impact and we would have to struggle financially while he was there. He chose to switch to the community mental health track and even that was a nightmare. Years of low pay and mental exhaustion while he did intense work with intense clients at out-patient agencies, working to attain his hours for licensure. You really start to realize how crap our health care system is, how cruel the world has been to so many people and how little support they have. It was a massive stress on our marriage (I didn’t care about the lower income, but the emotional toll his work took on him turned him into an unbearable ass at home).
He finally has his own practice now and works mostly with the “worried well,” which is more emotionally manageable and quiet good pay, but it took him almost our entire 10 yr marriage to get there. Mind you, he already his own mental health issues before going to school to become a therapist, so your path might be completely different. Just be prepared for the negative side to dedicating your career to the mental health of others. If you stick with a school setting, find out more about how working within a school structure works. It’s very different than working for a company or agency.
Best of luck to you! I’m sure you’ll find the best way to focus your desire to make a positive impact in the world. :) There are definitely benefits to switching your career to something in mental health and you can absolutely make a difference, just prepare yourself and your loved ones for the journey. 💕
You’re quite welcome! I can definitely empathize. When my ex started school, I actually took the intro class with him, as I had always dreamt of becoming an art therapist and help facilitate healing through art and play. We often forget to nurture our inner child as we become adults and we leave our childhood trauma unattended. Most programs encourage or require students to get therapy for themselves, as it’s often the case that those who have a calling to help others have themselves experienced similar traumas. Just remember to put your mental wellness first. It’s hard to be fully present and empathetic with others when you are distracted by how much you relate to their pain.
Anyhoo, there are many options out there for you and it sounds like you’re doing your research. 🤓 Sending my finest good juju your way! 😊 You’ve got this! 💪😃
Would love to connect with u because I’m in tech at Accenture and hate it so much I have a psych background so I’d love to work in a school too but my family wants me to make a lot of money so I can’t be a teacher. I’m thinking to save up and start a business to get the hell out of here hahaha
Lvl 9. Poli-Sci background, among other things. Cannot stand working with developers / product owners at client sites, but I’m sure I’m one of the few lol
I’m dealing with severe anxiety... like almost to a nervous breakdown feeling so unfulfilled... looking at some Programs to continue psychology 😞
Most schools will only hire you if you have teaching experience. They like to hire from within. Unless you’re working in the inner city. You also need a degree and observation hours. This is not something to do without great research.
Funny you mention this, I actually just went through the application process and was accepted to an MS program for industrial-organizational psychology. I feel really happy about the decision even though I know I'm going to continue consultant work while doing my coursework and will be really busy... because psych is what I'm "meant" to do.
Not to get all metaphysical, but your experiences in life and your reactions to those experiences prime you to capably and happily gravitate towards certain kinds of work. Resisting that in the long run just makes you less happy, even if you're making progress toward other goals like saving for a down payment on a home or a family or something like that. You can achieve those things and also be happy, it just might require a little adjustment to your mental vision/expectation of what that "should" look like.
If you love counseling and working with children, go do this for yourself and for all the kids that you're going to help in the future. The first thing I'd suggest doing is evaluating what you may need to sacrifice or change in the short term to make it work at a level you're comfortable with (and that your significant other is comfortable with, etc.). But once you start thinking, "yeah, that could work," take those first steps that are low risk, like the application to a program. Once you do it, you'll know by your reaction whether it's really a good move for you.
Good suggestion! All the best to you on your MS program Blake
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You should do it. Not sure how harsh of a transition it would be. I feel like I’m my client’s therapist 😊
Certainly give it a lot of thought, it is very inviting to have a career where you make a difference in people’s lives.
I thought of becoming a HS teacher at multiple times in my career. But I do not have a master’s or teaching experience, meant I have to spend money while not making any money to get the credentials and then make a lot less working. Not sure how to pay back those student loans, support myself and family on a fraction of what I would make here.
I would talk to several school counselors before taking the plunge. Get a feel for what you’re getting into. I’m not sure about school counselors but teachers have low retention rates due to low pay, lack of support, stress, and disillusionment.
That being said, an education career is extremely noble and very respectful..
A lot of people feel this way
You will make way less money and depending on your current spending habits you might have to adjust dramatically and make different sacrifices
Corning from someone with a BA in Psych, best to go all the way to PhD if you want to make something of yourself in that field. Another cool option is to go for an MSW - I have a friend who is a Social Worker that works with disabled adults - very rewarding according to him.