Hi everyone,
I’m looking for advice on whether my background makes me a good fit for consulting roles, particularly in the Middle East.
I have 5 years of experience working in government in South Asia, primarily focused on public sector implementation and service delivery. I’ve led teams of 10–20 people and worked across infrastructure, land administration, social protection, and public health programs. Since I entered through my country’s equivalent of the UK civil service fast stream, my role has been generalist (public management) but quite hands-on.
Currently, I’m finishing up a Master’s in Public Policy and Data Analysis at a Russell Group university in the UK. My undergraduate degree was also quantitative. So I'm reflecting on moving towards consulting and advisory roles.
A few questions I’m hoping to get insights on:
- Based on my profile, do I stand a good chance of breaking into consulting roles in the Middle East? I’m particularly interested in MBB, Tier 2 firms (e.g. Strategy&), and policy advisory firms like the Tony Blair Institute.
- With 5 years of experience, should I be aiming for entry-level roles (e.g. Associate) or looking at post-MBA or experienced roles?
- Should I target only public sector practices within these firms or apply more broadly to generalist roles?
- My corporate/private sector experience is limited (around 18 months before joining government). Are there ways I can highlight transferable skills or improve how I demonstrate commercial awareness?
I’d really appreciate any guidance or reflections based on similar transitions.
Thanks in advance!