High School Business Consulting Activities
Offering an outside perspective to help companies solve their problems is the third fastest-growing occupational cluster in the U.S. and is the second largest. Becoming a consultant will have massive opportunities in the coming years as emerging markets use more consultants, generating a wider global demand for the service.
Why should a high school care about consulting?
Experience is one of the primary aspects that differentiate consultants. Past experiences bring insights and outside perspectives that allow them to bring innovative solutions. This gives high school students who gain this experience a distinct advantage by starting early on their path.
For those students exploring consulting for the first time, joining consulting activities in high school allows exploration early. Starting young can be a great time to explore the career option of consulting and determine if it is a good fit.
"Consulting" doesn't need to be the career goal
At the core, consulting is about offering an external perspective, and helping guide organizations to an innovative solution.
A high school student doesn't have to want to go into professional consulting for the skillset to be meaningful. The world needs more people who have a clear understanding of how business works and can provide novel solutions to complex problems. This act of innovating is something that every business needs.
Where should a high school student get started with consulting?
Not sure where to begin? With books, social media, online courses, clubs, and summer programs, there are so many places to gain knowledge and develop your skills as an innovator and consultant.
Here are a few consulting activities to help you on your journey.
Online Resources
As with most skills, there are plenty of online resources that can teach you the fundamentals about consulting and providing innovation. Many of these resources are free and are a great starting point for anyone beginning their consulting journey.
Platforms like Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning offer courses on topics such as business strategy, innovation, finance, and consulting skills.
Books and Case Studies
Practice analyzing case studies and solving business problems. Many resources are available, including business textbooks and online case libraries, which can help you sharpen your analytical and problem-solving skills.
Networking
As with any field, connecting with experts can help teach valuable insights and hard-learned lessons. Connecting with the local Chamber of Commerce, family members, or community members with business consultation experience can be a fast way to learn.
Social media offers more connections than ever allowing you to connect with consultants from around the world. Following outspoken consultants can be a great way to collect helpful tidbits about the field. Following can be a great way to keep a pulse on the market and to understand trends.
Clubs and Competitions
Joining business clubs such as DECA, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), or Junior Achievement can provide valuable exposure to business concepts, networking opportunities, and chances to compete in business competitions.
These experiences often go beyond the basics principles of business consultation, and allow students hands-on experiences to introduce innovative solutions.
Self-Practice
After learning the fundamentals, some high schoolers may choose to begin practicing consulting by themselves. Whether students begin a market research project for a large business they admire, offer to consult with a school club, or help out a local business for free, go-getters can gain valuable experiences that will help them get a leg up.
Summer Programs
For those looking to combine many of the activities, a dedicated summer program can speed up a student's progress. The LaunchX Innovation Summer Program starts by teaching foundational business concepts. Students then have the chance to network with like-minded students and industry experts.
Most importantly, students get the opportunity to work with an existing company and offer a solution their team develops to solve a real problem the company is facing. This invaluable experience allows students to go beyond acting like a consultant to becoming one.
What are you waiting for?
If you would like to provide a ton of value and impact at your current job and future jobs, it is worth taking the time to develop your consulting skills.
The art of being able to communicate effectively, work on a team, problem solve tough challenges, and help guide others through the process are timeless skills that will always be important – whether you have the title "consultant" or just provide incredible value to your future employer.
