Alum to Lead Healthcare Consulting Career Seminars.
Alum to Lead Healthcare Consulting Career Seminars
SPH alum Alexis Anderson, former head of patient-driven transformation at Ipsos Healthcare Advisors, is offering a four-part crash course on healthcare consulting this summer for SPH students.
School of Public Health alum Alexis Anderson (SPH’17), former head of patient-driven transformation at Ipsos Healthcare Advisors, is offering a four-part crash course on healthcare consulting this summer for SPH students.
The goal of these sessions is to reduce the number of unknowns in regards to a career in consulting, as well as to make students feel empowered as they begin to apply for jobs, says Gwenn Fairall Knox, associate director of career advising. “The Crash Course on Healthcare Consulting Careers is an opportunity to deep dive into the world of management and strategy consulting within the healthcare industry—all while working hand-in-hand with a respected leader in the field. The course is built around helping MPH students prepare for what’s to come during the recruiting season and for a successful career in healthcare consulting.”
The hour-long seminars will be held on July 18, 20, 26, and 27, followed by a mixer with alumni in consulting on July 27 at a South End bar. If you’re an alumni in consulting and interested in attending, please email Gwenn at gwenn@bu.edu.
Knox emphasized the importance of opening up the world of consulting to people who do not have a business degree. “What I love about this course is that it is being developed by a BUSPH alum and consulting leader who didn’t have that ‘traditional’ business background. [Anderson] gets where our students are coming from and knows how to help them translate their public health training into something beneficial to consulting firms. She recognizes the bouts of imposter syndrome, and knows the initial job search and recruiting process can often be overwhelming for those outside of the MBA environment. However, her track record of success in consulting and her commitment to mentoring others to follow in her footsteps is something we’re really excited to be able to build upon with this mini-consulting series.”
Knox says the Career & Practicum Office (CPO) is always looking for new ways to connect students with alumni. When Anderson expressed interest in getting more involved, Fairall Knox says the CPO jumped at the chance to help students prepare for the fall recruiting cycle.
“These opportunities with alumni allow students to ask questions and learn the tips and tricks for succeeding in certain industries,” Knox says. “The Career & Practicum Office will be bringing more alumni on campus this fall and any alumni interested in doing something similar to help prepare SPH students to be their best professional selves in the workforce can reach out to the CPO at SPHCareerOffice@bu.edu.”
When asked what inspired her to teach these courses, Anderson says, “I was extremely fortunate to find my ‘home’ in pharmaceutical and healthcare consulting, particularly at a time when it may have been less popular for MPH students to pursue careers with consulting firms, and so I fully understand the challenges and uncertainties that students face when considering a career in consulting. Through this hands-on seminar, I wanted to share my own experiences and insights to help bridge the gap between healthcare and consulting firms, and to equip BU students with information and tools that can help prepare them ahead of time. … My hope is to simplify the process and empower students to navigate the recruitment process with confidence.”
According to Anderson, attending this event will give students the opportunity to connect and speak with others who are interested in consulting, as well as expand their understanding of some of the key players in the consulting landscape and some of the unique nuances of each firm, helping them to better target their applications. This is an opportunity for students to see what a “day in the life” of a consultant looks like in more detail than perhaps they might see in a typical recruitment information session.
For any questions about the Crash Course on Healthcare Consulting Careers, contact Gwenn Fairall Knox at gwenn@bu.edu.