Career Journeys - Consulting

Career Elective Guides

Problem-Solving

Are you drawn to solving complex problems in new and innovative ways? You’ll apply intellectual curiosity and superior research skills, and introduce cutting-edge business ideas to address your clients’ biggest challenges. Variety is also the name of this game. No two problems will be exactly the same.

Course Number	Course Title
8304	Consumer Behavior (FY-Q4)
8830	Supply Chain Management (FY-Q4)
8310	Competitive Dynamics (Q1)
8171	International Corporate Finance (Q2)
8800	Operations Strategy (Q2)
8014	Strategic Thinking (Q2)
8758	Strategy in the Digital Age (Q3)
8028	Corporate Strategic Leadership: Major Concepts from Strategy Consulting (Q3, Q4)

Logical Thinking and Analysis

Whether it’s framing the problem, developing hypotheses, planning and conducting analyses, or communicating your recommendations to the client, structure and linear logic in your work are essential for effectively addressing the problem and communicating your solutions with clarity.

Course Number	Course Title
7994	Strategic Analysis and Consulting (FY-Q4)
7603	Valuation in Financial Markets (FY-Q4, Q1)
8465	Management Planning and Control Systems (Q1)
8453	Entrepreneurial Finance and Private Equity (Q1, Q2)
8496	Data Science in Business (Q2)
8459	Innovation and Design Experience (Q3–Q4)
8015	Behavioral Decision Making (Q4)

Ideas to Action

Successful results are defined by your ability to drive impactful and lasting change to the organizations you serve. Defining the right strategy is imperative at the start of a project, but linking the overall strategy with tactical and effective execution is the key to driving lasting outcomes for the clients you serve.

Course Number	Course Title
7500	Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship in Action (IDEA) (FY-Q4)
8308	Leadership Learning Lab (Q1)
8621	Project Management (Q2)
8697	Global Consulting Projects Part I (Q2)
8698	Global Consulting Projects Part II (J TERM)
8620	Brand Management: Creating, Testing, and Analyzing New Brand Strategies (Q3)
8400	General Managers Taking Action (Q3, Q4)
8699	Global Consulting Projects Part III (Q3, Q4)
7611	The Consulting Process (Q4)

Leadership

Successful results are defined by your ability to drive impactful and lasting change to the organizations you serve. Defining the right strategy is imperative at the start of a project, but linking the overall strategy with tactical and effective execution is the key to driving lasting outcomes for the clients you serve.

Course Number	Course Title
7619	Paths to Power (FY-Q4)
8019	Defining Moments (Q2)
8448	Ultimate Questions: Responsible Management and Value in Business (Q2)
8500ZZZ	CEO Leadership in the 21st Century (J-Term, Q3–Q4)
8013	Strategic Corporate Governance (Q3)
8274	Leadership When It Really Counts (Q4)
8706	Leadership, Diversity, and Leveraging Difference (Q4)

Executive Presence and Persuasion

While “hard skills” such as problem-solving and analysis are critical, it’s equally important that you are able to effectively present your recommendations in a way that is clear, compelling and truly resonates with your client. Adapting your communication style and message to a variety of audiences, and leveraging powers of persuasion are key skills to develop for a consulting career.

Course Number	Course Title
7605	Strategic Communication (FY-Q4)
8930	Negotiations (FY-Q4, Q1, Q2)
7600	Data Visualization and Analytics (FY-Q4, Q1)
8620	Brand Management: Creating, Testing, and Analyzing New Brand Strategies (Q3)
8320	Leadership Communication in Times of Disruption (Q3)

Creativity and Teamwork

Problems are complex and often require innovation and extensive collaboration, both with colleagues and clients in order to determine the optimal solution. The “people” side of consulting offers an excellent opportunity to build relationships, network and partner with a variety of individuals to achieve a shared vision and breakthrough results.

Course Number	Course Title
7618	Effectual Entrepreneurship (FY-Q4, Q4)
8459	Innovation and Design Experience (Q3–Q4)
8476	Collaboration Lab (Q4)
8989	Critical and Creative Thinking in Business (Q4)

Additional Coursework and Opportunities

Earn a Strategy Consulting Concentration

Strategy Consulting

This concentration is intended to immerse students in the consulting process and to help them identify and deepen the skill sets necessary for success in that role.

Faculty contact: Mike Lenox

 

Concentration Requirements

A student will be recognized as having this concentration when they have completed 9.0 credit hours from the courses listed below.

Note: Not all courses may be offered in a given year.

 

Course Number Course Title Credit Hours 7603 Valuation in Financial Markets  1.5 7611 The Consulting Process 1.5 8011 Ambicultural Strategy 1.5 8013 Strategic Corporate Governance 1.5 8014 Strategic Thinking 1.5 8024 Strategy Execution    1.5 8030 Challenges in Health Care: A System Overview 1.5 8033 Digital Marketing 1.5 8047 Pricing 1.5 8058 Disruption, Response, and Transformation 1.5 8067 Managing Innovation   1.5 8171 International Corporate Finance 1.5 8305 East-West Strategy Seminar 1.5 8310 Competitive Dynamics  1.5 8459 Innovation and Design Experience  3 8650 Cases in Global Strategy Seminar 1.5 8697-8699 Darden Consulting Project  3 8758 Strategy in the Digital Age 1.5 8800 Operations Strategy  1.5

Gain a Global Business Perspective

Global Consulting Projects

Global Consulting Projects are MBA electives that give small teams of students the opportunity to provide consulting services to an international company or organization while working closely with a Darden faculty member.

Consulting Darden Business Projects

Consulting Darden Business Projects are for-credit projects that provides students with the opportunity to gain real-world consulting experience.

Career Preparation

Through Darden’s Career Center and Alumni Career Services, you’ll gain career guidance from the moment you enroll and for wherever your career takes you after graduation. Here’s what you can expect:

• Pre-matriculation, First Year and Second Year career education
• One-on-one, industry-specific coaching
• Darden-facilitated opportunities for networking, meeting alumni and industry leaders, and interviewing
• Resume and cover letter reviews
• Access to advanced analytics and data to craft recruiting marketing materials such as resume, LinkedIn, and more
• Industry- and employer-specific database for interview prep and salary research
• Case interview prep
• Mock interviews
• Employer case competitions
• Negotiation skill-building
• Executives-in-Residence Program

Career Clubs and Activities

Darden Consulting Clubs

Darden’s Full-Time MBA Consulting Club and Executive MBA Consulting Club are student-run organizations that help students gain and share vital insights as they develop invaluable relationships.

Community Consultants of Darden

The Community Consultants of Darden is a not-for-profit organization that provides marketing, operational and strategic evaluation and planning services to visionary nonprofits and small businesses in the Charlottesville community.

Conferences and Events

Consulting Conference

The Consulting Club coordinates the Consulting Conference each fall, which serves as a prime networking opportunity during peak recruiting season. Conference activities typically include a networking dinner, keynote speakers and breakout sessions with top consulting firms.