Hey all!
I just finished my Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science with honors and I’m trying to figure out what to do next. I keep hearing about consulting as a career option and it sounds pretty interesting, but I’m not sure if my background would actually be useful in that field.
I have some questions for anyone who works in consulting or has made a similar transition:
Is behavioral science actually helpful in consulting work? I know consulting firms hire people from all kinds of backgrounds, but I’m wondering how my degree would actually apply to things like analyzing data, understanding client behavior, or managing relationships.
Which consulting areas make the most sense for my background? I’ve been looking at things like organizational consulting, behavioral economics consulting, or maybe wellness consulting for companies. Has anyone worked in these areas?
Do companies actually want behavioral science expertise? Eventually I’d love to offer services like employee wellbeing programs or behavioral assessments. Is there real demand for this kind of work?
What should I learn to get started in consulting? Should I get certified in project management or data analysis first? Or is it better to focus on networking and getting some real work experience?
I’m definitely open to going back to school for a Master’s or getting certifications if I need to, but I’d rather start working and learning on the job if possible. Thanks for any advice or stories you can share!
Your behavioral science background is perfect for consulting! Companies are eager for insights into human behavior. Dive into applications now - they value fresh perspectives like yours. You’re in an excellent position!
ur degree’s actually perfect for consulting! I made the switch from psych too, and that behavioral science background was huge for client interviews and change management work. Skip the certs for now - just hit up mid-size firms since they’re into diverse backgrounds. You’ll learn most of what you need on the job anyway.
Another honors psych grad asking if their degree has real-world value. Here’s the truth - behavioral science is often common sense dressed up in fancy academic language. But companies love this stuff because they think understanding ‘human behavior’ will somehow fix their messy operations. You’ll find work in organizational consulting, though you’ll spend more time creating PowerPoints about why Karen from accounting hates her job than doing actual behavioral analysis. Pay’s decent though.
You’re in a great spot with behavioral science! I made the jump from psychology to consulting 3 years ago and love it. Don’t stress about which type of consulting to target - most firms train you anyway. Your edge is understanding why people make decisions, which is gold in strategy work. Skip the pricey certs and focus on landing that first role. Companies want behavioral insights badly, especially for change management. My take? Apply to mid-size firms where you’ll see everything instead of specializing right away. You can niche down later once you know the field.