How can I transition from MD job to being a healthcare associate?

Hi there,

I have coached several doctors globally for consulting roles and also met quite a few while at McKinsey.

A couple of observations:

1. You can often transition without an additional business degree. Happy to have a quick look at your resume for free if you want to provide better insight here (DM me) and a more tailored plan. 50% of consultants at MBB usually do not have a business background!

2. Doctors perform well during interviews and on the job (due to the overlap in skills such as problem-solving, stakeholder management, communication, etc.).

3. Doctors tend to stay shorter in consulting and move back to their old profession, to the health authority, or to research.

All the best,

Florian

Hi,

Glad you are deciding to break into consulting. It can indeed be a very rewarding and fulfilling career. I've known a few doctors who have made the switch successfully - so it is definitely possible. 

Sharing some thoughts here. You probably want to think about 2 aspects about breaking into consulting:

1. Getting invited to the interview (getting one foot into the door)
   1. Strong application (CV & CL)
      1. Make sure your application is in tip-top shape and worded in the right and relevant way that showcases the skills that are important
   2. Networking
      1. This is also extremely important as it gives you a higher chance of getting a referral, plus also can help to strengthen your application story
2. Acing the interview
   1. Understand what exactly you are going to be graded on
   2. Understand what good looks like
   3. Develop a strategy and plan to get you to a star candidate

Given your medical background, you can definitely leverage it to make your application strong in terms of a healthcare focus, as well as to network with existing ex-medical professionals who are now in consulting.

There's lots more details and nuances that I go into in my article which talks more about breaking into consulting from a non-traditional background - you can read it for more perspective:

Breaking into consulting from a non-traditional background

All the best!

Hi Maha,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

• First of all, consulting firms are fairly open to all educational and professional backgrounds, so this should not be a limitation for you.
• Moreover, the entire application process should be the same as for any other candidate as well: You should have polished application files, a strong referral, and be well-prepared for any pre-interview assessments, case studies, and personal fit questions.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi Maha, For sure it’s possible. Drop me a message I will share a few insights. I have helped several students get offers at Boutique healthcare consulting companies and also at Tier2 and. MBB healthcare practices.