Alums 'consult' with students

The field of consulting -- one of the most popular and well-paying career choices for college graduates these days -- has its ups and downs, from the corporate heavyweights one gets to meet to the frequent traveling one must do, a panel of University alumni said Tuesday. Six Wharton School graduates working in consulting returned to Steinberg-Dietrich Hall to discuss their work with a packed room of Penn students. The conference, part of Wharton Career Week, consisted of a panel discussion followed by a short question-and-answer session. Consultants, the panelists explained, provide companies with financial and corporate services. Such services include marketing new products and helping to develop new marketing strategies. "The discussion was meant to help students understand what it really means to be a consultant," said Kirk Daulerio, a graduate intern in Wharton Undergraduate Student Affairs. "It is a way for students to learn both the good and the bad." The panelists advised students on how to prepare themselves for a career in consulting. "I think the most important thing for you to do is to go take courses in public speaking," said Harry Austin, a representative of KPMG Peat Marwick and a 1992 Wharton alumnus. Jessica Lee, a representative of Andersen Consulting and a 1996 Wharton alumna, agreed. "In the business world people judge you based on how you look and speak," Lee said. "It's important for you to present yourself professionally." The representatives spoke candidly about both the positive and negative aspects of a job in consulting. Most agreed that consulting work was both interesting and challenging and allowed them to meet senior executives and other high-level officials. Several alumni, however, warned students of the amount of time consultants must spend traveling. "The rewards are there financially, but like everything else it has its price," Austin said. "I go home every other weekend." "I travel about three days each week," added Bonnie Gruber, a representative of the American Management Systems and a 1991 Wharton alumna. "If you don't like traveling, then it's probably not the best career path for you to choose." The honesty of the panelists was appreciated by the students. "I liked how the panelists told the truth about the drawbacks of a career in consulting," Wharton junior Eileen Graber said. "It really is a lot of hard work." Austin, however, urged prospective consultants to welcome the difficult work. "You need to just work hard. Whether in school or in the business world, you'll be rewarded," he said. Several students felt the discussion was very informative. "I didn't realize the scope of what they do," Wharton sophomore John Haushalter said. "Consultants do lots of different things." Career Week is sponsored by the Wharton Undergraduate Division and Career Services. Panel discussions scheduled for this past week included accounting, technology and finance.