Here we go!

So here it is, my first post for the Consulting Channel and I already feel that I need to put some disclaimers out there. I'm a senior. I'm graduating in May. I have a job. So, my efforts to help those of you find a "best fit" are genuine. I admit I do not know everything about the business world, or consulting for that matter. But I've been there, done that, in trying to figure it all out.

I've done accounting, thought I would like finance, and worked as a bank teller. I won't go into the other miserable jobs I took for gas, coffee and clothes money in high school, they don't count. Regardless, I have come a long way in figuring what I definitely DO NOT want to do with my life and have had my fair share of less-than-enticing experiences. I know that the process of finding jobs and internships can be frustrating. And with that said, I have still taken a job that I'm not sure where it will take me, but it's a great place to start.

To give you an idea of where I've been, where I'm going and hopefully contribute somewhat to my credibility, I will recap my college experience thus far. Since entering the University of Richmond in the fall of 2003, I have studied abroad in Berlin, Germany for a summer (my mom was born there!). I have had two accounting internships with regional firms, which quickly led me to search for opportunities outside of the accounting profession. And most recently, I interned in a financial services advisory practice in Washington, D.C. I was the President of my sorority and a member of the Honor Council, along with a host of other commitments. As you may guess, being a senior, my extracurriculars have been virtually eliminated as I enter my LAST semester. Thus, I have decided to contribute my down time to lending useful knowledge of the job search process and the consulting industry to you!

So, please read, feel free to offer comments or ask questions. I hope that you are able to find something here that will make your life just a little bit easier and make you feel more prepared for the road ahead.

Some Words of Wisdom

So you're nervous about finding a job after graduation. You've been exploring your interests in the classroom, but are not really sure if you will enjoy the real world application of business concepts. Before my blog delves into the opportunities that consulting has to offer, let me give you some advice that has helped me in my job search.

If you are early in your academic career, start trying to get some hands-on experience. Even if you're about to graduate, don't worry, if you don't like your first or second job, it's not the end of the world. You've got a lifetime to find out what your truly passionate about.

Here are some general guidelines on trying to figure out where in the business world your skill set may fit:

• Network. Ask people you know what they do every day and what types of skills their position encompasses.
• Apply for internships, externships or any opportunities that could be a fit. Even if you do not exactly meet the criteria of candidates they are looking for, the worst thing an employer can say is no, which really isn't that bad.
• Do some research. Jobs and internships won't just be handed to you. You should know what you want, what your skill set is and why you have applied for a given opportunity.
• Don't apply or take an opportunity just for the firm name or salary. This may not be the best fit and you could wind up miserable.
• Don't limit yourself to only accounting, finance, management and the like. Consulting positions many times encompass several of these fields.
• Use the job search resources available to you. Experience is amazing and where I personally have found all of my job and internship opportunities.

Good luck!