Empowering students to think like consultants
The Isenberg Consulting Academy helps students break into the consulting field by educating them about the industry and connecting them with consulting professionals. The academy welcomes all undergraduate students, from first-years exploring potential career paths to seniors preparing for full-time opportunities. While the program is open to everyone, it is beneficial for first-year and sophomore students looking to align with consulting recruiting timelines early in their college career.
Growth and opportunity
The Consulting Academy is part of Isenberg’s network of professional academies, designed to connect classroom learning with hands-on, career-oriented experiences and reinforce Isenberg’s commitment to experiential education by providing structured opportunities for students to apply classroom learning to real-world consulting challenges—enhancing both academic growth and career readiness.
Academy student experience and benefits
The academy provides comprehensive professional development that prepares students to succeed in consulting and beyond:
- Professional development workshops focused on strengthening analytical communication and presentation abilities crucial to the consulting industry.
- Valuable insights into the consulting field, real-world experiences, and guidance on navigating recruiting processes through mentorship programs and networking opportunities.
- The annual case competition challenges students to solve real business problems by allowing them to gain practical consulting experience, develop presentation skills, and improve analytical capabilities.
- Professional development through a wide range of opportunities designed to prepare them for success in consulting and beyond—building essential skills such as critical thinking, effective communication, case solving, presentation design, and proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint.
- The academy promotes peer-to-peer learning and collaboration, fostering a supportive community that grows together and shares goals and experiences.
Career readiness
Students involved in the academy often pursue careers in management, strategy consulting, IT consulting, financial consulting, internal strategy roles, and non-profit consulting—representing diverse consulting pathways. The Consulting Academy’s focus on professional readiness ensures students are equipped to stand out in interviews and perform effectively in their roles.
Students of the program have gone on to work at top firms including the Big Four, MBB, boutique consultancies, Fidelity, BRH, ClearView Healthcare Partners, and Accenture.
Brief history
The Consulting Academy was launched in 2023 as a joint initiative between faculty in Isenberg’s Departments of Operations & Information Management (OIM) and Management. Before its establishment, students who were interested in consulting had limited access to formal learning opportunities beyond student-run organizations—the academy was developed to fill this gap by creating an open, inclusive learning environment where all students can explore the consulting field and gain the foundational skills needed for success.
Alumni network & involvement
Our academy maintains an active relationship with many alumni around the globe. This allows us to offer opportunities for students to network and be mentored by those working in the industry. Give back as a guest speaker, participate in panels, and form robust connections to help recruit our students. Get involved, contact njunaid@umass.edu.
Faculty Directors
