What does a management analyst do?

I'm curious about what a management analyst does on a daily basis. Is it mostly analyzing data, or are there other responsibilities? I'm considering a career in this field after high school, so any insights would be helpful!

A management analyst, often called a management consultant, works to improve an organization's efficiency. They advise upper management on how to enhance the company's structure, profits, and efficiency. The day-to-day duties vary considerably owing to the diverse nature of the job and the wide array of organizations that employ management analysts.

Primarily, their work involves gathering and organizing information about the problem to be solved or the procedure to be improved. They may work with an organization’s managers to understand more intricacies of the organization and to gather information. This could involve meeting with personnel and conducting onsite observations.

One crucial aspect of a management analyst’s job is data analysis. They examine all sorts of data, including expenditure, employment reports, and revenue. This data is then assessed to determine the best methods to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

They might make recommendations to management through presentations or written reports, and they may work together with the organization's management to ensure that the necessary changes are implemented.

Also, in a consulting role, a management analyst could be working on several projects at once. This requires excellent time management and organizational skills.

For example, a management analyst may be tasked to help a company restructure to be more efficient. This could involve analyzing financial data to see where cuts can be made, interviewing personnel to understand job roles, responsibilities, and where operational inefficiency is occurring, then compiling these findings in a report and presenting this to senior management.

Entry into the management consultancy sector with a firm such as McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company, or Boston Consulting Group is highly competitive and typically requires an MBA. However, there are many other paths to becoming a management consultant, such as starting in a junior role in industry, getting experience, and then transitioning to a consultancy role.

But a note for you as a high school student, if you're interested in this career path, it would be beneficial to consider a bachelor's degree in business, economics, finance, or a related field. Adding in coursework or a minor in psychology or another social science could also be beneficial for the human behavior aspect of the role. And of course, developing strong analytical and problem-solving skills would serve you well in the profession.