I am presently in my final year of college, likely to graduate with a 1st from Warwick (PPE). I am from a relatively wealthy family, so I don't really need to do the longish hours and "save" to afford a flat in London or a car.I would like to do "something" valuable, I want to shape policies, reduce crime, help people to recover after hurricanes, etc.Is "consulting" for me? What do consultants at, say, "Adam Smith" or "10 partnership" do on a daily basis? Can you recommend a place that fits my aspirations? MBBB public/environmental sector?I did a second year internship with a law firm, but that can pretty much go to hell.

process optimisation, business process analysis, IT architecture, IT strategy, IT change, IT what ever seems to areas which show continued growth and profitability in these challenging and uncertain times. Quite frankly the relevance and value add of such other-wordly activities is a subject rich in opinion ZB

Why join consulting, witha 1st from warwick id be off in pharma as thats the next big thing.

If money is not your goal then join GORS (type into google).Consultancy - not really. Perhaps a thinktank instead.

I think you wouldn't enjoy conventional consulting as much as something where you're working directly in the public/non-profit sector.At Adam Smith you might be disappointed by the amount of objective consulting vs. lobbying involved. 10 partnership might offer more interesting work but you'd probably be frustrated by the calibre and commitment of your colleagues and the "non-valuable" nature of much of the work.You could also look at the Civil Service Fast Stream, and the large County Councils' and international charities' graduate schemes. These are the jobs offering the greatest opportunity to "shape policies".Many of the other careers that you might enjoy are less "corporate" so you'd find them through word of mouth or networking. I'm thinking of the roles with community organisations and smaller local charities. These are the roles with greatest opportunity to "reduce crime, help people to recover after hurricanes, etc.".In the middle ground of corporate and more practical roles, you could look at the organisations which help get people into work - you're "making a difference" whilst working within a commercial environment.I would discount most of the roles with the UN, European Commission, NGOS and think tanks on the basis of friends' experiences. If you found the law firm a frustrating place to work, these organisations are much of the same (if not more frustrating for the mismatch with their stated objectives). Similarly, the policy development model you'd be using within party political roles probably would be a deal-breaker if your other objectives are focussed on the social good.

Thanks for your input.What about working in other countries? I can do business in Russian and I'd like to be completely fluent in it; I don't mind moving to Moscow or something.Or I don't know, maybe a warmer country.Basically, is it a good idea to join an international company, or should I go something local.

Also, do you know an adam smith-like firm that is "huge" in the said region?I like the sound of this direction, but not really aware of other options in terms of culture or corporate philosophy (what have you). Class II student in an elitist environment doesn't sound too appealing.