What is public sector consulting? It is consulting specifically for addressing, advising on and solving the needs of the public sector, i.e. government, civil service, nonprofits and businesses with B2G (business to government) relations. Consultants involved in this still apply many of the same strategies and advice that they apply to corporate clients.
They help these entities in the implementation of large-scale programs, data-driven change, optimising and streamlining services and operations, and more. While governments have civil services and government agencies and offices to research, devise and implement policy, the amassed experience and wide ranging expertise of various consultancy and professional services firms, such as Accenture and EY, are of significant value and use to carrying out government policy.
Why should you consider this as a social science student? This is a great way to apply the diverse and multi faceted skills you have learnt in your studies. Due to the multitude of tasks and challenges of various policy implementation and projects that you’d be advising and devising strategies on, you need to apply your wide ranging skills. You would also be applying your skills to government projects, allowing your work to be more direct.
Should you choose that you don’t want to continue in public sector consulting, than the skills and experience you have gained will serve you well. Having worked on government, or government related projects, you would have also gained an understanding of how such projects and public policy implementations are realised. Therefore, you would be better prepared for working in the civil service or other jobs that interact with government.