It is very clear that in consulting we sometimes end up doing bits and bobs that are not directly aligned to our expertise and/or interest. I have heard some Partners say it is a good thing as it gives one the opportunity to learn new stuff. But where does that lead you to in the long run? Is it better to filter the projects that come your way in line with the sector you want to specialise in or to just literally throw yourself at any project from any sector for the benefits of wider exposure? What would you advise?

It's horses for courses, mate. Most people move ahead in their early-mid career by specialising in one area. Being clear and disciplined about the work you do can allow you to make best use of your time to develop deep expertise in that area, help you build a reputation as the go-to specialist, and ensure others don't take advantage of your time.

However, unless you try a few things you won't know which area you will most enjoy specialising in. Staying generalist long enough to build a few strings to your bow has some advantages:
- building greater resilience to layoff as you can switch into different kinds of work
- getting a positive reputation for being accommodating and flexible
- allowing you to shift track if you get bored later in your career
- making you a bit more informed should you be called upon later in your career to manage across multiple areas

(01-10-2011 02:39 PM)Confused Wrote:  It is very clear that in consulting we sometimes end up doing bits and bobs that are not directly aligned to our expertise and/or interest. I have heard some Partners say it is a good thing as it gives one the opportunity to learn new stuff. But where does that lead you to in the long run? Is it better to filter the projects that come your way in line with the sector you want to specialise in or to just literally throw yourself at any project from any sector for the benefits of wider exposure? What would you advise?

Good points. But it is still difficult to decide which route is better!

(01-10-2011 03:32 PM)johnnyx9 Wrote:  It's horses for courses, mate. Most people move ahead in their early-mid career by specialising in one area. Being clear and disciplined about the work you do can allow you to make best use of your time to develop deep expertise in that area, help you build a reputation as the go-to specialist, and ensure others don't take advantage of your time.

However, unless you try a few things you won't know which area you will most enjoy specialising in. Staying generalist long enough to build a few strings to your bow has some advantages:
- building greater resilience to layoff as you can switch into different kinds of work
- getting a positive reputation for being accommodating and flexible
- allowing you to shift track if you get bored later in your career
- making you a bit more informed should you be called upon later in your career to manage across multiple areas

There is no better route. Specialist will probably make you more valuable externally but playing the generalist card properly will get you progressing faster. You choose

(01-10-2011 03:43 PM)Anon Wrote:  Good points. But it is still difficult to decide which route is better!

Definitely specialist for 90% of your time. No harm in occasional generalist or new experience.

Almost all recruitment is for a specific job. So you need to be best candidate for that. Best way to achieve this is to get deep and more senior experience in one area.

(01-10-2011 02:39 PM)Confused Wrote:  It is very clear that in consulting we sometimes end up doing bits and bobs that are not directly aligned to our expertise and/or interest. I have heard some Partners say it is a good thing as it gives one the opportunity to learn new stuff. But where does that lead you to in the long run? Is it better to filter the projects that come your way in line with the sector you want to specialise in or to just literally throw yourself at any project from any sector for the benefits of wider exposure? What would you advise?

Then the question becomes how specialist? Its easy to become too specialised also

(01-11-2011 08:23 PM)cgl7780 Wrote:  Definitely specialist for 90% of your time. No harm in occasional generalist or new experience.

Almost all recruitment is for a specific job. So you need to be best candidate for that. Best way to achieve this is to get deep and more senior experience in one area.

If you want to go far you have to start earlier . That is the way i take things .
And learning is very important in any field , if you want to go for a business you better know its edges or you gonna mess things up .

in the beginning of your career you must decide first on what you want to end up with then decide your step according to this. It's first important to understand different area and choose the best suited to you.Then specializing in those area means expertise in knowledge and competency.

(01-10-2011 03:32 PM)johnnyx9 Wrote:  It's horses for courses, mate. Most people move ahead in their early-mid career by specialising in one area. Being clear and disciplined about the work you do can allow you to make best use of your time to develop deep expertise in that area, help you build a reputation as the go-to specialist, and ensure others don't take advantage of your time.

However, unless you try a few things you won't know which area you will most enjoy specialising in. Staying generalist long enough to build a few strings to your bow has some advantages:
- building greater resilience to layoff as you can switch into different kinds of work
- getting a positive reputation for being accommodating and flexible
- allowing you to shift track if you get bored later in your career
- making you a bit more informed should you be called upon later in your career to manage across multiple areas

(01-10-2011 02:39 PM)Confused Wrote:  It is very clear that in consulting we sometimes end up doing bits and bobs that are not directly aligned to our expertise and/or interest. I have heard some Partners say it is a good thing as it gives one the opportunity to learn new stuff. But where does that lead you to in the long run? Is it better to filter the projects that come your way in line with the sector you want to specialise in or to just literally throw yourself at any project from any sector for the benefits of wider exposure? What would you advise?

I agree with you.I think that consulting is necessary to everyone. At the mid-age no one is able to take own decision at right place. Thanks for sharing.

The differences between the two rest in terms of what kind of firm they are working for. Most generalists can be found at boutiques (though some boutiques are consultants specializing in a certain form of consulting). Specialists, however, are found in the big 3 firms (Mckinsey, Bain, BCG).