Consulting Uncovered: Insights, Challenges, and Career Pathways

We recently had the privilege of hosting an insightful panel discussion, "Consulting Uncovered," featuring a distinguished group of industry leaders: Sanjana Mehru, Audrey Koh, David Wong, Kyle Ong, and Alison Wang. With their rich and varied backgrounds spanning different sectors and specialisations within the consulting world, the panel offered a rare and valuable opportunity to delve into the industry's most pressing topics.

Sanjana Mehru on the Realities of Consulting

With 7 ½ years of experience as a Strategic Consultant at Deloitte, Sanjana Mehru provided a grounded perspective on the business strategy landscape. She clarified that while the field seems diverse, a project's existence hinges on a simple commercial truth: consulting is anything and everything that is “chargeable” to a client. This reality means that new consultants often have little choice in their early assignments and cannot always choose what they want to specialise in. Her key takeaway was the necessity of adaptability, emphasising that success requires aligning one's skills with market demand and the practical needs of the business.

David Wong: A Trusted Advisor's Blueprint

As a Senior Manager at Bain & Company, David Wong works with clients in the food, agriculture, and financial sectors, describing his role as being a trusted advisor to business leaders on anything that drives value. He was candid about the demands, warning that candidates must be prepared for long working hours. For those seeking to enter the field, David provided a clear roadmap. He stressed that with standardised CVs, the key to standing out is to craft your narrative in a way that plays up problem-solving, client engagement, and teamwork. His essential advice for the rigorous four-round interview process was to prioritise relentless networking and keep practising case interviews to demonstrate sharp, unbiased analytical skills.

Kyle Ong’s fascination for Consulting and its uniqueness 

Kyle Ong, a Risk Consultant at Deloitte, detailed his day-to-day work training clients and improving processes. He revealed that his favourite part is finding a way to get to a common solution with the client, navigating the initial hesitation that often accompanies new projects. However, he highlighted the constant challenge of upgrading knowledge to keep pace with frequent regulatory changes, such as those from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Having moved from accounting and finance, Kyle was drawn to consulting's "grey areas," which unlock critical thinking and the skillset to question established methods and find innovative ways to solve problems.

A switch from Audit to Consulting

Audrey Koh, a Senior Implementation Consultant at FASS, shared the dynamic nature of her role, which involves diverse phases where every day is different. She transitioned from accounting, seeking a path beyond audit, and found her niche in system implementation. Audrey's favourite aspect is the direct client interaction and being able to see the tangible impact she has created. The most challenging part, however, is the intricate liaison work; she emphasized that achieving alignment between developers and clients before a presentation can be a tedious process, often placing her as the crucial middleman to bridge communication gaps.

Q&A Segment with audience

The engaging panel discussion transitioned into a candid Q&A session, where the audience probed deeper into the realities of a consulting career. When questioned about work-life balance, the panelists were unanimous in their view that one must be prepared for long and unpredictable working hours, with schedules typically stretching from 9am to 11pm from Monday to Thursday, and the potential to work until 2am during peak deadlines. On the nature of client work, Kyle Ong elaborated that the most rewarding part—finding a common solution with initially hesitant clients—is also the most complex, requiring consultants to act as negotiators and educators to bridge the gap between short-term client pressures and long-term strategic value. For those preparing for case interviews, the panel's essential advice was to move beyond practising alone. They advised to find a partner and constantly articulate your thoughts out loud to improve the fluency of your presentation. This method, they stressed, is crucial for refining your ability to articulate a structured thought process, from framing the problem at the outset to navigating the quantitative logic and delivering a coherent, actionable recommendation.

Takeaways

• The Core Reality: It's a Chargeable Business

Consulting is defined by client needs, meaning you must be flexible and work on diverse, billable projects, not just your preferred specialties.

• Success is Rooted in Strong Client Relationships

Beyond analytical skills, becoming a trusted advisor requires building deep rapport to navigate hesitancy and align on long-term solutions.

• Prepare for a Demanding, Fast-Paced Lifestyle

The role requires resilience for long, unpredictable hours, with workdays often extending late into the night to meet deadlines.

• Master the Art of Structured Problem-Solving

Excelling in case interviews and daily work requires a clear framework to break down complex issues and articulate logical solutions.

• Continuous Learning is Non-Negotiable

Staying relevant demands constant upskilling to keep pace with rapid changes in regulations, markets, and industry best practices.

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Written by:

Shannon Low

Strategic Content