Looking to start a career as a Business Consultant but don't have a traditional four-year college degree? It is possible to work in this skills-based career through internships, entry-level jobs, and training programs. Developing a professional portfolio can anchor your path into a Business Consultant career.
Pros and Cons of Becoming a Business Consultant Without a Degree
Pursuing a Business Consultant career without a degree has its advantages and disadvantages. You’ll need to carefully weigh them to decide what route to this career you want to take. Here are some of the considerations you’ll need to make when making a decision.
Pros
When pursuing a Business Consultant career without a degree there are some clear advantages. One of the biggest is a major cost savings. It can cost tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars to earn a college degree. Enrolling in a training program at a reputable facility will only cost a fraction of a college or university tuition. The other glaring advantage is the difference in the timelines. While both college and a certificate program will cost you time, earning a degree is generally a more lengthy process. The ability to save both time and money when pursuing this career is a big draw.
Another advantage to not pursuing a degree is having more focused training. Because certificate programs zero in on teaching the most relevant and in-demand skills Business Consultants need to succeed, you’ll be getting a quality education that eliminates a lot of the filler courses that you’re forced to take when earning a degree. This is how training programs can be more time-conscious than degree programs. You’ll also be able to find your niche and root deeper into it with a training program. A specialization is a great way to stand out amongst the crowd. Having expertise in one or two areas is going to make you more marketable.
The last major advantage to mention is mentoring opportunities. Many certificate programs, like those offered at Noble Desktop, offer students 1-on-1 mentoring sessions outside of class. This allows students to get individualized attention. Mentoring is helpful when working on challenging concepts, conducting job searches, making industry connections, putting together a stellar resume, and learning how you can be a better and more effective Business Consultant. The ability to lean on someone who knows the business and just how much work it takes to succeed and make a real impact on organizations is truly invaluable.
Cons
Although there are many advantages to becoming a Business Consultant without a degree, there are some drawbacks. One of the more obvious challenges is risk management. Those without a degree are more likely to experience less security. With many employers looking for candidates to have a degree, not having one means that there’s much more convincing employers that you are the right person for the job. This can potentially be a high hurdle to get over for some. You may need to find ways to buttress your training or real-world experience. Certifications, reputable training centers, and great references are a few things that can bolster your bid with potential employers.
Earning a certificate from a bootcamp or certificate program puts you in a fast-paced learning environment. Even on a part-time schedule, you’ll still be learning a lot of information in a relatively short amount of time. One of the goals of training centers is to get students job-ready in less time than it takes to earn a college degree. They want to help students enter the workforce quickly. While degree programs give students many months to master concepts and materials, bootcamps often spend days on topics before moving ahead. You’ll have to spend a lot of time outside of class with the curriculum to keep up with your studies.
Other drawbacks to not earning a degree include having a smaller professional network and limited resources. Because you won’t have as much time to build relationships as you would in a degree program, your resources and professional network will be considerably smaller. While reputable training centers do offer networking opportunities, the amount of time you spend in a training program often offers fewer opportunities than colleges and universities. Class sizes are also considerably smaller, so you won’t have as many peers as you would in a degree program.
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Learning Methods to Become a Business Consultant Without a Degree
The truth is that there is no quick road to becoming a Business Consultant. Whether you spend two to six years earning a degree or you spend months in a bootcamp, you will have to put in a considerable amount of work and effort to get into and excel in this fast-paced career. If you don’t have the time and resources to invest in a degree, other avenues can get you the education and experience you need to get into consultancy. In addition to bootcamps, there are certificate programs, on-demand courses, internships, and independent learning.
Live bootcamps and certificate programs are a great way to learn the relevant skills needed to be a Business Consultant. These programs typically teach students how to think like consultants, be leaders, analyze data, conduct research, leverage business skills, and use technological skills to provide useful and data-driven guidance to clients and organizations. Whether you choose to learn in person or live online, you’ll have the advantage of real-time feedback and assistance, hands-on guided exercises, and support from staff and instructors.
Independent learning is another option. Independent learning often includes on-demand classes, online video tutorials, free seminars, and other free online resources that allow you to learn at your own pace within the constraints of your schedule. On-demand class sessions are pre-recorded and can be started, stopped, paused, and rewound as needed. The advantages of independent learning are also its disadvantages. Because you are not learning in a group setting, you won’t have the ability to receive real-time feedback or interact with peers and instructors in real-time. Some on-demand courses allow students to interact through discussion boards or schedule live Q-and-A sessions.
Volunteer opportunities and internships are instrumental in pursuing a career in business consultancy. These types of programs give you real-world experience in the field, allowing you to develop your skills on the job and network with industry professionals. Those who are accepted into internships can add these experiences to their resume and be more attractive to employers. There’s no substitute for having relevant experience in this business, so who you know and what you’ve accomplished is going to help you make headway in this career without a degree.
What is a Business Consultant?
A Business Consultant is someone who works with business owners to help them reach their business goals and improve their performance and efficiency through careful analysis. They are skilled professionals with a wide range of skills. They leverage a combination of objectivity, education, and experience to provide expert advice, creative solutions, and relevant insights. Oftentimes, they will choose a specialty to better serve their clients. Some of these specialties include strategy and management, operations, finances, human resources, and marketing. A Business Consultant can help a business identify and address challenges and offer objective recommendations based on their industry knowledge.
The typical workday varies according to the client, the project, and the industry; however, some of the more common duties of Business Consultants include meeting with clients to understand their needs and hardships, performing SWOT analyses, designing business plans that are customized to their clients, advising or managing project implementation, and assess the efficacy of implemented strategies. While many work for consulting firms, you’ll find that a great many experienced Business Consultants are self-employed, and just as many hold specialist roles within larger companies. Business Consultants often work as part of a team that can include a range of individuals based on the project goals. Many times they have to liaise between teams to evaluate and implement solutions effectively.
When working for a firm, there is an opportunity for growth through professional development classes and activities. Workshops, seminars, and courses are ways of continuing education that help Business Consultants stay abreast of current and cutting-edge business strategies, business technologies, and other helpful resources. The more knowledgeable they are, the more effective they are. Continuous learning is essential to progress in this career, as is networking and staying current. Certification opportunities and other helpful resources are available through professional associations like the Institute of Management Consultants USA.
Can You Really Become a Business Consultant Without a Degree?
It is possible to become a Business Consultant without any degree at all. Although many employers will require candidates to have a degree, if you have relevant work experience or training you may be eligible. Having work experience in a related field or having been an entrepreneur or high-level manager with a deep understanding of the industry you were in is a huge boost to your resume and eligibility. Consultancy is very results-driven. That’s why being successful in managing projects or running a business is relevant.
Likewise, having a degree in a field other than business can be useful in becoming a Business Consultant. You’ll be positioned to consult in a niche industry like education, healthcare, or human resources. Becoming a Business Consultant using this route will likely require that you have a deep understanding and knowledge of a particular field or industry. If you’ve worked in a field related to your college degree and gained experience, you may be an excellent choice for this career. If you’re concerned about not having the know-how, you can enroll in a training course to learn more skills and gain confidence.
Steps to Become a Business Consultant
There aren’t a ton of steps needed to become a Business Consultant, but it does take time. While it is a very competitive career with a high-stakes environment, anyone who is a creative problem solver with a strong understanding of finance, business, and project management can have a fulfilling career in this field.
Earn Credentials
The first step to becoming a Business Consultant is to earn your credentials. This can be accomplished by enrolling in a bootcamp or certificate program. If you’re going to be a Business Consultant, you have to invest in your professional development. Clients have to feel confident in your ability to help them, and having an education in consulting and business is a big part of creating that confidence and credibility. You’ll need to learn how to conduct research, lead a team, and use tools like data visualization software to analyze and assess situations. Depending on your specialization you may also need to learn digital marketing, business writing, or stock market investing.
Intern
An internship or certificate course is a great way to gain experience and learn in-demand skills that will be most helpful in your career. It’s also a way to expand your network and meet people who are deeply connected in the industry. At training centers like Noble Desktop, you’ll learn what it’s like to work in Business, develop a workflow, and gain in-demand and relevant skills. Whether you choose to take individual classes or a full bootcamp or “MBA” Business Certificate program, you’ll be positioning yourself to be a more attractive intern where you can have a chance to work closely with real clients and experienced Business Consultants to build your professional portfolio.
Get Certification
Consider obtaining a certification or two once you’ve completed your certificate program or bootcamp. While most employers won’t require certifications, it is helpful. A certification shows that you’re dedicated to professional development and that you adhere to a standard of ethics. Two of the more common certifications include Certified Management Consultant and Project Management Professional.
Get Hired
Finding employment as a Business Manager or Business Management Consultant is a great next step to gain some real-world experience after your credentials are in order. You’ll gain more relevant insight into how a business operates and the types of challenges that present themselves. You’ll also develop or hone your leadership and communication skills in a management role, which will help you be a more effective Business Consultant. Once you’ve gained industry and business experience, you’re ready to find employment as a Business Consultant.
Learn the Skills to Become a Business Consultant at Noble Desktop
If you’re seriously considering becoming a Business Consultant, there are several options for learning the necessary skills. Noble Desktop offers classes that can help you achieve your dream of becoming a consultant. Many Noble Desktop business-related courses include one free retake, 1-on-1 mentoring or bonus training outside of class, and flexible scheduling options.
The “MBA” Business Certificate course is a great start for those who are interested in becoming a business professional. In this 132-hour class, you’ll learn the fundamental skills and concepts to help you thrive in a competitive business world. Although this is a business class, it is not an MBA degree program. It is a comprehensive certificate program that covers project management, financial processes, marketing strategies, data analysis, and practical applications of generative AI. In addition to the live online or in-person curriculum, there is a self-paced module devoted to business law, employment law, and business insurance. Students can also choose 60 hours in electives, including Python for data science, SQL, stock market investing, Figma, and other business focuses.
A Data Analytics Certificate course will give you practical skills in data visualization, data analysis, and statistical analysis. Data analysis is a key part of business consulting because it allows you to make the most of a client’s or project’s data and make data-driven recommendations and strategies to achieve various goals. Earning this certificate will give you an in-demand skill that can be applied in any industry in many career paths. Data analytics is a hands-on course with projects based on real-world challenges that explore both predictive and prescriptive analytics. Topics covered in this beginner-friendly certificate program include data analytics foundations, Excel, Tableau, Python machine learning, and SQL. There are no prerequisites.
Marketing is another critical component of business consulting. There’s even a subset of Business Consultants who specialize in marketing. To help a company or client get their marketing strategy in order, you have to understand how to optimize it. This Digital Marketing Certificate course can boost your confidence in addressing digital marketing issues and help you learn when and why to make certain marketing recommendations. You’ll learn SEO, social media marketing, paid search, and analytics tracking to help your clients increase their ROI in today’s competitive markets. Course topics will include digital marketing strategies, YouTube, content, and email marketing, Google Analytics, and website optimization. This course is great for current professionals who need to expand their marketing skill set, business owners interested in learning how to market their business, and individuals who want to get started in digital marketing.