New consulting workshop to be offered to Kelley undergrads

Stemming from the success of the Consulting Academy at the MBA level, the Kelley School of Business is looking to offer consulting training at the undergraduate level. Dr. Paul Friga, a Clinical Associate Professor in the Management Department, will lead a new consulting workshop offered to Kelley undergraduates. The workshop is "an interactive and intensive training ground designed for students with a strong desire to pursue a career in consulting."\nDr. Friga, an alumnus of \nMckinsey, one of the most prestigious firms in the consulting industry, hopes to offer a unique opportunity for students to have a focused content study of the industry, networking trips and projects with consulting firms and specialized interview training. \nFriga researched what other universities offer in terms of consulting and is not aware of any programs that are as organized and comprehensive as the program to be offered at IU. Friga has a vision of making the consulting program at IU the top public school consulting program in the country.\nFriga, who recently taught an undergraduate consulting class, was exposed to the talent in the undergraduate students. He saw a lot of undeveloped potential and wanted to offer his expertise in helping \nstudents land positions at top consulting firms. Friga credits Professor Carolyn Wiethoff with building a lot of momentum for the consulting industry within the school. He also credits Susie Clarke, director of undergraduate career services, with helping execute the workshop by contacting recruiters to see what qualities they would want to see in a workshop.\nConsulting is one of the most sought-after placements for graduating seniors. The basic premise of consulting is helping businesses people solve problems. The consulting industry spans across strategy, finance, marketing and operations. Success in the consulting industry is achieved by hard-working individuals that have great communications and teamwork skills, Friga said.\nHe said consulting is a unique industry due to its reputation of being a springboard for individuals into other careers.\n"Consultants pursue entrepreneurial careers, corporate finance and managerial positions following their consulting careers," Friga said. \nThe consulting workshop mirrors the selectivity of the industry by enacting high standards for entrants. Students requesting admission must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and an SAT score of 1200 and above. The program will select between 10 and 20 individuals every year. The events of the workshop start with the admission of students by the second semester of their sophomore year and run until their first or second semester of their senior year. Since this is the inaugurating year, the workshop will also accept juniors into the program.\nJunior Brennan Knotts has always had an interest in consulting and sees the consulting workshop as a great opportunity to get involved with the industry. Knotts sees a career in consulting as a "prestigious career" where he can be "intellectually stimulated and surrounded by bright and ambitious people."\nJunior Aaron Cherny, who took Dr. Friga's consulting class, believes that the consulting workshop offers him "a similar program to the investment banking workshop that is more in line with my interests."\nThe workshop will have a second information session 8:00 p.m. tonight in Business 200. All elligible students are welcome to come and find out more about the consulting industry and what the workshop has to offer. The deadline for application is Wednesday, March 8. For more information visit http://www.kelley.iu.edu/kci/.