Why Consultancy Appeals to Politics Graduates
At first glance, politics and consultancy may seem worlds apart. One deals with governments and ideologies; the other advises businesses and organisations. But scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find deep synergies between the two.
Politics students are trained to analyse complex systems, evaluate competing interests, and communicate effectively—skills that are crucial in consultancy. Whether you’re advising a corporation on entering a new market, helping a government reform its public services, or assessing the impact of new regulation, political literacy is a major asset.
The Overlapping Skill Set
Politics graduates bring a unique toolkit to consulting roles:
- Critical analysis – from dissecting policies to evaluating stakeholder dynamics
- Strategic thinking – honed through studying political campaigns, international diplomacy, and negotiation
- Communication skills – essential for both public speaking and client reports
- Research ability – particularly valuable in data-driven consulting environments
These capabilities align closely with the work consultants do: solving client problems, offering tailored advice, and navigating complex, often sensitive contexts.
Types of Consultancy That Value Political Insight
There are many areas within consultancy where a politics background is particularly relevant:
- Public Sector Consulting – advising governments, local authorities, or NGOs on policy implementation, digital transformation, or organisational reform
- Political Risk Consulting – analysing how global events, elections, or instability might affect businesses and investors (for example, Control Risks, Eurasia Group)
- Strategy Consulting – working with private companies on market entry, regulation, or stakeholder engagement (for example, McKinsey, BCG, Bain)
- Sustainability and ESG Consulting – where regulatory compliance and policy forecasting are key to advising on environmental and social strategy
Career Progression and Opportunities
Many consultants move between the private and public sectors, or even return to politics later in their careers. Some become policy advisers, civil servants, or political analysts. Others rise to partner level in global consultancy firms or launch their own advisory services.
Firms like Deloitte, PwC, EY-Parthenon, and Accenture actively recruit politics graduates onto graduate schemes, especially within public sector or strategy arms.
Tips for Making the Transition
- Highlight relevant experience – Model UN, policy competitions, campaign work, or internships with MPs or NGOs all show transferable skills
- Understand the industry – Learn the differences between management, strategy, risk, and public sector consulting. Tailor your applications accordingly
- Network strategically – Attend consultancy panels, reach out to alumni, and follow firms’ public sector or government affairs work
- Stay informed – Being able to talk about how current affairs impact business is a key differentiator in interviews