I've realised I have to get out of academia for a variety of reasons, but it's just not challenging me and there is no real teamwork or career path. I've done my research and want to get into consulting, preferably on the strategy/business side. I would really like to get into a role where I can learn the commercial business skills. I've got top academics (1sts/top of class/awards), degrees in mechanical engineering and chemistry, and .. I realise this comes across as arrogant ... all the kinds of things top consulting firms seem to look for in a graduate. All great, BUT I've done 4 years as a postdoc research fellow (biotech/tissue engineering/medical devices field). I wish I had done this 2 years ago, but at the time I didn't feel this way so it's a pointless exercise. I'm now 31 and shaking off the perceived academic label is proving really difficult. I feel like I'm now too experienced for the graduate schemes and don't have consulting (or even industry) experience to apply as an experienced hire. I feel like I just need a foot in the door or someone to take a slight risk on me. Any particular companies anyone would suggest? Any good advice? Encouraging stories? Thanks in advance.

there are many companies you could apply to: KFC, MCDonalds, BK, Taco Bell, IBM BCS, Cap Gemini, Nandos

Peter, jealousy is a dirty thing, isn´t it?Simon: congratulations for your incredible academics! go for a top tier strat house, they are the only ones that (may) deserve your brains!

Try contacting Fresh MInds-they will snap you up on the acadmics i'm sure and will provide temp projects to build the old cv until you land a perm role you;re happy with. Hassle them though-they are a bit slack in my opinion and never seem to call you back despite the fact that i am a consultant at leading house and was trying to get to the bottom of a problem for my brother who has recently graduated.Peter, help people on here or run off and write irritating messages to yourself. Hopefully a personality will arrive on Christmas morning for you!

First step, decide if you want to stay in the broad field of science where many consultancies work, i.e., the pharma/biotech/medical devices fields. If so there are certainly some consultancies out there who work with big pharma/biotech companies i.e., McKinsey, BCG. If you do want to stay in this field and put your scientific knowledge to use, you may be better served looking at the niche consultancies covering these industries, i.e., LEK, Bridgehead, PharmaVentures, WoodMacKenzie, Arthur Little, possibly PA Consulting.If you want to move away from science altogether (but seriously think about that, I mean why waste years of work and experience, just cos your pi**ed off with academia?) then you may find it harder to convince the big 4-5 strategy firms, and I would imagine you'd start off right from the bottom and cover every industry.I was in your position about 2 years ago, my top tip would be to get some freelance experience on your CV, I worked voluntarily for a very brief stint doing market research/reoprt writing and now get the occasional well paid freelance job. I'm not going to tell you how to do this, figure it out yourself it's good practice for you and good training for any aspiring consultant as you are after all learning how to attract and retain clients.If your academics are as good as you say and you've got a good PhD and post-doc, you could consider a job in the pharma industry for a year or two first. You'll definitely learn about the industry/business side of things then and will be able to transition out into a consultancy after that. Believe me this is what I decided to do and now I'm getting offers from the big strategy firms I wasn't getting a bite from whilst I was still a post-doc.A final suggestion, have you thought about being an equity analyst covering pharma/biotech for an investment bank or brokerage? Knowledge of the science and a PhD here helps too and there's a lot of recruiting going on here at the moment.

Simon - the smaller niche firms and start-up / spin-off consultancies tend to have the least rigid stance on recruitment criteria and are more likely to consider candidates with "unusual" backgrounds. I would suggest focusing your attention on these firms; once you've got a couple of years of good consulting experience on your CV then a move to a major brand would be back on the cards (what you've done most recently always seems to carry the most weight)... or you may decide you love the atmosphere in a smaller firm and are quite happy staying put.Hope that helps & good luck. Tony

Thanks to everyone for some really helpful comments. I am quite attracted by the smaller niche consultancies and after looking through some of the websites mentioned, will definitely be chasing some of them up. I'm not really looking to move away from science altogether, I actually enjoy science/engineering and I would like to stay in the biotech field, but I'd quite like to dip into some completely new fields and learn about those. I've done a lot of commercialisation, project management courses etc, but I'm really looking to put those skills into practise and get the commercial/business experience to back up my technical skills. Thanks again everyone.

Simon, we are currently looking for people who have a biomedical tissue engineering background and are looking to work in consulting. We also offer contract work which could be a good way of you building experience before going for a permanent role. The website is www.mindbench.combest regards,Richard

Simon,I do also hold a similar background, with a change in mind i searched for the firms involved in multi disciplinary approach. Presently in interview process with some strategy consultant's, to name one McKinsey. Don't loose hope, there are firms looking for multidisciplinary backgrounds now......look for it. Good luck - RR

Hi Simon, I've just posted a thread asking a very similar question to yourself. I'm interested in how you've got on these last couple of years since you posted your thread, what route you ended up taking/how you are finding the work, hours, life out of the lab etc? Would be very interested in hearing from someone who has already trodden this path!CheersG