Transition from Dentistry to Management Consulting

Dear James, 

sounds like an exciting move! I think I can pretty much understand and maybe judge your journey. My wife is working as a dentist and founed 8 years ago her own business with two partners where I could support (being a consultant) the founding across all aspects of the business. It was really interesting to understand how a dentist is thinking and acting compared to my own view and knowledge from a "business" perspective. 

You mentioned some good points like networking, online profile etc. However, hard skills will be key in order to succeed (also from the perspective of potential employers). MBA is not the only option. I personally know from my former business school ESCP that they are offering both full and part time executive programmes for professionals with non business background: https://escp.eu/programmes/executive-masters 

Happy to further assist, if you have questions. Hope ist helps - Jasper

Hi James!

Indeed, I would assume the MBA is the single most powerful step to get a foot into consulting. Unfortunately, also the most time and capital consuming one. Any consulting firm will test your business judgement skills extra carefully, so doing an MBA would not only help on paper, but also to get you that offer.

Other things that might strengthen your profile could be

• moving into some sort of management role. E.g. managing a dentist clinic
• doing business courses to build the judgement without an MBA and impress people during networking events, etc
• working in a health-care related consulting firm for some in between to slowly adapt your profile towards more business exposure

In addition, there are many consultants with a non business background that might not be dentristy specifically - MDs, scientists, philosophers, etc. Reach out to them and ask how they made the move into consulting.

Hi James,

You've certainly done your homework!

I've worked with a number of MBBers who were Dentists + Doctors...honestly this is in your favor....MBB seems to love them!

MBA is, without a doubt, your best shot.

Second to that is networking.

Finally, yes, pro-bono consulting AND rising up in your existing role to have more team management, leadership, department oversight, etc. experience.

You have a great profile and MBB look for people like you. I think with some networking (especially the 4 dentists you found) you will be good to go. 

An MBA will help but I genuinely do not think you need one to get into MBB if you network well. I have coached 3 doctors who have all gotten in without an MBA.

I don't believe you need an MBA given your profile. With a dentistry degree, you can enter at the post-MBA level (like all PhDs, MDs, JDs, etc.) and not need to take on debt. I'm joining MBB next year and am finishing a PhD, and one other person in my cohort just graduated from dentistry! 

Look into "Advanced Degree Recruiting". MBBs have special internships just for us that guarantee a first or final round interview (depending on the firm). McK has Insight, BCG has Bridge to BCG, Bain has ADvantage. I would really reccommend going that route!

would also build the hard skills needed to perform daily consultant activities - know how to operate excel/powerpoint by using shortcuts, the basics of excel/financial modelling and eventually understand the theory behind alteryx/tableau (how to gather/assess/visualize large amount of data)

Hi,

The overall move makes sense and exciting. Consultants love non-conventional backgrounds! My biggest concern will be the age. If you are 29 now and you plan to work 2 more years and then do an MBA (2-3 more years), that means you'll start pretty late. You'll still get there, but being an associate at the age of 35 and working long hours is barely sustainable

Best

Hi James,

This will be a bold move and I am sure you can succeed in it if you prepare well ahead. The good thing is that you have 2 years to prepare yourself and you can do many things to stand out in the process:

1. Healthcare practice: invest time in learning about the biggest trends in healthcare from different perspectives (e-health, healthcare coverage, health insurance trends, etc.). I think that you should leverage your background (healthcare and not only dentistry, even if you are not interested in working 100% of your time in this field) and position yourself as an expert in the field
2. Networking: spend some time reading about the trends in the industry and identifying the biggest players (by region) and also the most renowned experts. Connect with them on LinkedIn and find the right time & opportunity to engage in a discussion about consulting
3. Pro-bono consulting: I know that some healthcare professionals volunteer with global organizations in medical campaigns but also in the development of reports & research papers. By doing this, you will expose yourself methodologies and analyses that you be doing in consulting, so practice doing that early
4. Education: MBA is an option but you can go without it. There is the option to do with a 1 year MBA (INSEAD, IE, Oxford, etc.) if you do not want to spend 2 years in a business school. If you manage to find a referral, jump directly into consulting, if not then do an MBA and reapply!
5. Business experience: try to get into leadership roles in your clinic, professional association, etc. This will help you get a business experience and will also expose you to people who can help you get where you want to be!

I wish you all the best in this important career move, do not hesitate to reach out if you want to discuss this further!

All the best,
Mehdi

Hi James,

The transition is definitely feasible, I helped someone with a profile very similar to yours in the past.

This is what I would recommend:

1. Take responsibility and if possible start something entrepreneurial – it is very appreciated in consulting
2. Network to find people that can refer you – you can find more on that here: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/hey-everyonehope-all-is-well-3176
3. If interviews don’t go well/ you can’t find referrals, do an MBA and reapply. Insead is probably your best bet given it’s 1-year only

All the other things (eg Excel, Analytics) are second priority and not directly useful to land the job (you won’t be tested in any of them in your interviews)

Finally, why wait 2 more years? I would consider moving now if you don’t have constraints and have decided consulting is your path.

Best,

Francesco

Hello James, 

That is a bold and interesting change, good for you!

I also believe your profile is in line with what MBBs are looking for. 

I also have a quite unique background (I am an architect), and, if you use it well, it can even turn into a powerful asset. 

Cheers,

Clara

Hi James,

The topics you mentioned are definitely good ones to strengthen your profile.

However, one key piece is at least not explicitly mentioned which I'd consider a major element in your overall situation. It's demonstrating to having a strong understanding of numbers and a basic understanding of 'hardcore' financials and the more quantitative world - e.g. to read and understand balance sheets and P&L statements as a minimum.

That might be possible to include in your MBA or gain additional visibility with other more explicit activities into that direction.

Hope that helps - if so, please be so kind to give it a thumbs-up with the green upvote button below!

Robert

Dear A,

You have a good background! Basically, you real intention, good networking and intensive preparation will help you to do that. 

I have a case, when my mentee with medical background has got an offer. 

If you need any help, feel free to reach out. 

Best,

André

Hi James - Hope you are well. I'm a recently graduated dentist who is contemplating a career change down the line. Came across this post  and saw that you were also contemplating switching out of clinical dentistry. I'd love to hear your story, see where you're at, and pick your brain whenever you get the chance!